Obama gives part of AZ to Mexico

[SlackJ94]

@Neo187H

Complete Bull…

                                               <b>                     Fox News is full of it.....                 </b>

                                                                                                                                                             [http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges...016%202010.pdf](http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/buenosaires/PDFs/USFWS%20MediaAdvisory%20BorderRefugeRemainsOpen%206%2016%202010.pdf)

For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jose Viramontes, 505/248-6404 (of); 505/550-3113 (cell); jose_viramontes@fws.gov
BORDER REFUGE NOT CLOSED
Several media outlets have been inaccurately reporting that a massive stretch of the US border at
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was recently closed. Buenos Aires NWR in
southern Arizona has not been closed to the public. Nearly 5-years ago, a very small portion of the
Refuge closed to public access due to public safety concerns. However, the remainder (99.98%) of
the refuge’s 118,000 acres is open to the public for recreational activities such as hiking, camping,
bird-watching, and seasonal hunting.
Recent news items further falsely stated that the closure extends from the border 80-miles to the
north. This distance is far from accurate. On October 6, 2006 roughly 3500 acres, or 0.02% of the
Refuge, was closed to public access due to human safety concerns. At that time there was a marked
increase in violence along the border due to human and drug trafficking. The closed area extends
north from the international border roughly ¾ of a mile. A notice of the closure, including a map
has been on the Refuge website since 2006.
At this time there are no plans to reopen this southernmost 3/4-mile wide portion of the Refuge.
However, since 2006 the Refuge has experienced a significant decline in violent activity in the area
thanks to ongoing cooperation between the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Customs and
Border Protection. The Refuge will reopen the area at such time that it is determined to be safe for
visitors.
Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge’s placement along the international border with Mexico
within the Altar Valley of southern Arizona provides a unique opportunity to protect remnants of a
fragile desert ecosystem and to provide refuge for some of the region’s most imperiled species of
plants and wildlife. Since its establishment, refuge staff have diligently worked to protect species
such as the masked bobwhite quail and the Sonoran pronghorn, as well as to offer meaningful
public recreation opportunities.

---

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and
enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific
excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to
public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit
www.fws.gov.
www.fws.gov/southwest/

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges…Fs/Closure.pdf

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
has closed a portion of the Buenos
Aires National Wildlife Refuge
south of the Garcia Road to public
use, under authority found in 8
RM 13.5 and 50 CFR 25.21(e)
effective October 3, 2006. Garcia
Road runs east/west parallel to
the international boundary about
one mile north of the line. This
area is about 3500 acres in size.
Our concern for public safety is
paramount.
The situation in this zone has
reached a point where continued
public use of the area is not prudent.
The Buenos Aires National Wildlife
Refuge has been adversely affected
by border-related activities. The
international border with Mexico has
also become increasingly violent.
Assaults on law enforcement officers
and violence against migrants have
escalated. Violence on the Refuge
associated with smugglers and
border bandits has been welldocumented.
Many of these activities
are concentrated at, or near, the
border. The concentration of illegal
activity, surveillance and law
enforcement interdictions make
these zones dangerous.
Closure is in effect until further
notice.
Mitch Ellis
Buenos Aires NWR
Refuge Manager

typical faux news stunt. They stopped telling the news 2 years ago. Since then they’ve been a propaganda machine. The really sad part is a large portion of Americans buy into this shit. They take everything they hear as fact, when much of the time it is far from the truth.