CBP map shows 45 miles of total border wall cutting through Hidalgo County

[Elderberry]

The Brownsville Herald by MITCHELL FERMAN 7/10/2018



McALLEN — Aside from the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the entirety of Hidalgo County will be walled off from the Rio Grande, totaling 45 miles of border barriers in the area, according to letters and maps U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent to those with property along the river.

On top of the roughly 20 miles of wall currently on the levee near the river, CBP said in the letters that there will be approximately 25 miles of new wall. The proposed design mostly mirrors the existing barrier — a concrete levee wall with 18-foot steel bollards sitting atop the structure, the letters said.

The project would also include LED lighting, a camera surveillance system and a 150-foot zone the south side of the wall where only property owners and law enforcement are allowed.

“CBP is in the process of obtaining rights of entry for survey to identify land requirements, appraising acreage that would be required for proposed construction, and gathering input from landowners,” the letter stated. “CBP will also conduct environmental and design related survey and site assessment activities.”

The agency is also seeking public comment for these projects within the next 30 days, sent to commentsenv@cbp.dhs.gov, with “RGV Border Barrier Construction” in the subject of the email.

President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill in March, which included $1.6 billion related to the border wall.

When signing the bill, Trump said he wants to stop “drugs from flowing over our borders by having a strong border system, including a wall. We are in a position, militarily, which is very advantageous.”

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