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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart