And while we were sleeping... Friday's document dump

[Gordon Ray Kissinger]

Posted by Admin TerriM on February 2, 2013 at 9:18am

While looking at what yesterday's document dump included I ended up on the Federal Register and found several things that had actually passed through a public comment period.  One of particular note was the opening of a new border crossing.

It seems that on May 19, 2010, President Obama and President Calderón of Mexico issued a joint statement recognizing that the Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in the United States, along with the Protected Areas of Maderas del Carmen, Cañon de Santa Elena, Ocampo, and Río Bravo del Norte in Mexico together comprise one of the largest and most significant ecological systems in North America. The Presidents expressed their support for the designation of the region as a natural area of binational interest, and encouraged an increased level of cooperation between the two countries. Based on this joint Presidential statement, the Commissioner of CBP announced plans to establish a border crossing in Big Bend National Park.

Now this was posted for public comment on the Federal Register.  Are we surprised at the following:

"The NPRM provided a 60-day public comment period, which closed on December 27, 2011. CBP received 47 comments in response to the proposed rule. Thirty-six of these submissions were in support of the proposal, and included submissions from many individuals who live in the vicinity of Big Bend National Park as well as a submission from an environmental conservation association on behalf of over 300,000 members. Eleven of the submissions were opposed to the proposal, and also included submissions from individuals familiar with the park, including a former superintendent of Big Bend National Park. The following section groups the relevant comments, along with CBP's responses, by issue."

This conservative thinks that many were not even aware of this and now it's too late.  It took effect on January 28th.  Were you aware of this?  I think perhaps we should start watching the Federal Register and utilizing our rights to make public comment.  It would appear the other side is.

Here is the entire notice for those interested.

Opening of Boquillas Border Crossing and Update to the Class B Port...