JPIC VOICES CONCERNS

ABOUT BORDER LIGHTING PROJECT

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Justice & Peace/Integrity of Creation Office, United States Province

391 Michigan Avenue, NE s Washington, DC      Tel: 202-483-0444 Fax:202-483-0708

Mr. Mark Doles

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Fort Worth District

ATTN: CESWF-PER-EE

819 Taylor Street

Fort Worth, TX 76102

Fax: 817-886-6499

RE: Draft Environmental Assessment for the Installation of Permanent Lighting and a Border Infrastructure System, Yuma Sector, Arizona

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are a men’s religious order which has been present at the US Mexico border since 1849.  It includes many priests who minister along the US Mexico Border; thus this project is of great concern to us.  As we understand it, the draft environmental assessment of this project of the Department of Homeland Security is in violation of the National Environmental Protection Act because it does not address adequately the direct and indirect impacts of this project, nor does it demonstrate a need.  We respectfully ask that the Department of Homeland Security  follow the “No Action” alternative addressed in the Draft Environmental Assessment and not proceed with the proposed action.

Past efforts to seal the border have had negligible impact on actual numbers of migrants crossing and simply subject them to more danger.  Without addressing the reasons why migrants choose to cross, these policies are unlikely to affect in terms of lessening the number of migrants entering the United States.  As we understand it, this could shift migrant traffic onto the Barry M. Goldwater Range, which has nine bombing and gunnery ranges scattered within the 2 million-acre facility, and is used by the military to conduct tactical training using live ordnances as well as practice bombs.  Endangering the lives of migrants by knowingly shifting them into harm’s way is not only irresponsible, but morally reprehensible, and is absolutely unacceptable as a strategy to deter migrant traffic.

The Preferred Action of this EA, and the continued militarization of the border, will infringe upon the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples.  The proposed stadium style lights, which are in three of the four alternatives, call for the installation of lighting partly onto Cocopah land.  As migrant traffic will undoubtedly shift north of the lighting, this will mean that the Cocopah will be burdened with an increase in migrant activity.  This will further compound the problems that Indigenous communities have been experiencing since militarization tactics began in the mid-1990s.  The rights of mobility and passage of all indigenous peoples must be respected, and consideration given for the affected members, especially in the installation of stadium lighting which will directly affect these communities.

We are concerned with the impact on wildlife in the area as well.  The preferred alternative will irreparably harm the state-protected flat-tailed horned lizard by potentially resulting in the direct killing of lizards during construction, and by redirecting migrant traffic onto the Yuma Desert Management Area, which was established specifically for the lizard.  The preferred alternative will also harm the federally endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher by placing high voltage stadium lights within what is considered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department to be well-used and high quality stopover habitat, and potential breeding habitat for the bird.

Again, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are very concerned about this issue and we would like to receive all future documents, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements and notices regarding Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol and Joint Task Force Six activities within the Tucson and Yuma Sectors.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Rev. Seamus P. Finn, OMI

Director

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Justice and Peace/Integrity of Creation Office