Opponents say Doña Ana County wilderness plan could aid smuggling - El Paso Times
LAS CRUCES — A proposal to designate thousands of acres in Doña Ana County as wilderness drew sharp comments Tuesday.
U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman, both D-N.M., have introduced Senate Bill 1689, which would create thousands of acres of federally designated wilderness in Doña Ana County.
Retired Border Patrol Chief Roger “Buck” Brandemuehl and retired Border Patrol Supervisor Zack Taylor both offered warnings. Brandemuehl said wilderness designations amounted to “effective safe havens” for smugglers.
“Imposing wilderness designation in proximity to our border effectively redraws the lines of defense,” Brandemuehl said, to loud applause.
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But claiming that agents would have to stop at wilderness designated areas or go around them is “completely” wrong, said Border Patrol spokesman Ramiro Cordero. The Border Patrol is already permitted to monitor and enforce within wilderness areas, Cordero confirmed Tuesday.
“We’re still allowed to patrol anywhere if there’s any danger or pursuit, we’re not going to stop. There’s no truth that we cannot go in (to wilderness areas). The federal authority gives us the authority to go anywhere,” Cordero said.
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