Mexico Calls for Eco-Friendly Border Fence

Environment minister warns US against proceeding with plan
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 31, 2007 5:14 PM CDT
Mexico Calls for Eco-Friendly Border Fence
California National Guardsmen water-down areas excavated for construction of a border fence in the Russian Hill area adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego Wednesday, May 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)   (Associated Press)

Citing environmental concerns, Mexico is calling on the US to revise its plan to expand border fences. The current layout threatens fragile ecosystems in the Sonora Desert area and could wipe out endangered species like the Mexican black bear, a new report shows. Mexico is ready to take the US to international court if it doesn't respond, the BBC reports.

The current fence plan includes 370 miles of heavy metal walls and other ecologically disruptive technology, but the report offers environmentally friendly alternatives. They include cross-border "green corridors" of wilderness that would allow species to migrate at will but bar people from doing the same. Another option is "live" fences of cactuses. (More ecology stories.)

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