House Approves Waiver Of Border Environmental Laws

The Republican-controlled House has approved a bill that would allow the Border Patrol to circumvent more than a dozen environmental laws on all federally managed lands within 100 miles of the borders with Mexico and Canada.

 

 

 

 

 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican-controlled House has approved a bill that would allow the Border Patrol to circumvent more than a dozen environmental laws on all federally managed lands within 100 miles of the borders with Mexico and Canada.

Supporters said the measure approved Tuesday is needed to give border agents unfettered access to rugged lands now controlled by the Interior Department and Forest Service.

Supporters say environmental laws often prevent agents from driving vehicles on huge swaths of land, leaving it to wildlife, illegal immigrants and smugglers who can walk through the territory undisturbed.

The measure's chief sponsor is Utah Republican Congressman Rob Bishop.

He says restrictions on federal lands have turned wilderness areas into highways for criminals.

 

AP

   

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