Pubdate: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2010 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323 Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 BORDER PATROL: PUT BASE CLOSER TO BORDER The Bootheel region of southwestern New Mexico and the adjoining desert of southeastern Arizona has been a weak link in the effort to secure our nation's southern border for some time. Border Patrol officials say that more than a quarter of the El Paso Sector's area classified as "uncontrolled" is in the Bootheel region. The tragic murder of rancher Rob Krentz in March, most likely by a drug trafficker who fled back across the border, has finally drawn attention to a problem that Krentz and his neighbors had been trying to alert the government about for years. And now there is finally action being taken. A forward operating base will be constructed in the Bootheel, allowing officers to patrol the region without having to make the 90-minute drive each way from the Lordsburg headquarters -- consuming three hours or an eight-to 12-hour workday. The base will include living quarters for 16 agents, horse corrals, a fueling facility and a helipad. Agents stationed at the base for short intervals will provide a permanent presence in the region and be able to respond much more quickly when needed. That's terrific news. At the same time, we agree with those in the area who argue that the forward operating base is not as forward as it ought to be. The Border Patrol plans to built at a site about 20 miles north of the border, on privately owned land off Horse Camp Drive. A group of Hidalgo County ranchers and other has submitted a petition with 110 signatures, contending that the base should be closer to the border to give residents the most protection. They prefer a piece of Bureau of Land Management land, about seven miles from the border. They say that site is on a plain, and would give agents a better view of the surrounding area. We recognize that a number of factors go into land acquisition at the federal level -- including environmental concerns. There was also mention of the BLM land being in a floodplain, and worries about cost. While all of those factor should be considered, it seems to us that the primary concern should be security. And there can be no doubt that an operating base seven miles from the border would be much more effective than one 20 miles from the border. Not to mention much more comforting for people living within those 20 miles. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart