Judge rejects environmentalists claims re: border fence

On Monday, U.S. District Court Larry Burns ruled against environmentalists who had filed a lawsuit to stop the completion of a border fence in San Diego county.

Environmentalists have long argued that the completion of the fence could destroy coastal sage scrub habitat of bird and other sensitive plant and animal species.   But this year, Congress gave Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff the power to override environmental and legal challenges and complete the fence.  The plaintiffs argued that it was illegal for Congress to give authority to the Department of Homeland Security to override environmental and legal challenges to complete the fence, but Judge Burns rejected the claim.  The lead attorney for the plaintiffs announced an intent to appeal the decision.

The Los Angeles Times story is here.

jmc