OBP004852

From: (b) (6)

To: (b) (6)
Subject: Re: Land South of Fence in RGV
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:49:19 PM

10-4. Thanks. In Dallas, waiting to board.

----- Original Message -----

From: (b) (6)
To: (b) (6)
Sent: Thu Mar 27 12:36:09 2008
Subject: FW: Land South of Fence in RGV

We'll probably need to discuss status on a few things tonight if I don't have time to make notes. This
will be one item you'll have to follow-up on.

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 12:26 PM
To: SELF, JEFFREY D
Cc: (b) (6)

Subject: FW: Land South of Fence in RGV

Importance: High

Chief Self,

As discussed, below is email chain regarding the Associated Press inquiry on our game-plan for
addressing ownership of property south of the proposed fence along the levee in RGV.

I am working on drafting an official response statement that we will vet by the Corps first for their
concurrence and then by (b) (6) and you prior to turning it over to (b) .
(6)
v/r
(b) (6)

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:48 AM
To: (b) (6)
Cc: (b) (6)
Subject: RE: Border fence

Thanks (b) (6)

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at
SBI_info@dhs.gov.

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:32 AM
To: (b) (6)
OBP004853

Cc: (b) (6)

Subject: Re: Border fence

I have an answer in concept, but Chief Aguilar is very sensitive to this issue, so any answer should be
cleared by OBP.

We'll need to convene with (b) (6) .

Can talk more this morning, but access to South of fence will be different under different circumstances,
primarily rural owners will cross at existing natural crossing points along the levee Vs. more densely
populated areas where we'll have to acquire land below the fence.

While rural owners will retain access, they will be comp'd according to appraised value reduction to the
degree their access is limited.

- (b)
(6)
----- Original Message -----
From: (b) (6)
To: (b) (6)
Cc: (b) (6)
Sent: Thu Mar 27 06:22:02 2008
Subject: RE: Border fence

Good morning (b) .

(6)
We got a follow up call from this reporter.

Can you recommend some language in response to their question?

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at
SBI_info@dhs.gov.

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 6:40 AM
To: (b) (6)
Cc: (b) (6)
Subject: RE: Border fence

Thanks for the quick response (b)

(6)
Is that approach something you can work on?

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at
SBI_info@dhs.gov.

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 6:34 AM
To: (b) (6)
Cc: (b) (6)
OBP004854

Subject: RE: Border fence

(b) ,
(6)
I don't think your response answers the reporter's question. Plus, I do not think that we want to
mention anything about gates and DHS 'ensuring' that property owners will have access to their land
south of the border. That might lead to property owners thinking they will have their own 'personal'
gate connecting their property.

I think with regards to compensation for the lands south of the fence we need to stick with a legal
opinion provided by counsel. Then we provide a statement describing how we have been working with
FWS/DOI and the Texas State wildlife folks.

(b)
(6)
(b)
(6)

(b) (6)

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 6:18 AM
To: (b) (6)
Subject: FW: Border fence

Good morning(b) (6)

I think there is an easy answer to the question below. I've drafted a response based on my
understanding. Please review what I've written and make any necessary changes.

In order to align with laws and treaties, DHS intends to construct fence within the footprint of the levee
system. In some cases, there are properties south of the levees. In order to access property south of
the levees, property owners currently get to this land through existing access routes. Through the use
of gates at access routes, DHS will ensure that property owners will continue to have access to land
south of the fence.

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
For more information about the Secure Border Initiative, visit www.cbp.gov/sbi or contact us at
SBI_info@dhs.gov.

-----Original Message-----
From: (b) (6)
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 6:48 PM
To: (b) (6)
Subject: Fw: Border fence

Wow...what timing! I will talk with him after we let counsel give input and After the announcement
(assuming that will come early next week)
Thanks,
(b) (6)
Office of Public Affairs
U. S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)
OBP004855

----- Original Message -----

From: (b) (6)
To: (b) (6)
Sent: Fri Mar 21 18:39:16 2008
Subject: Border fence

(b)
(6)
I don't need this until next Wednesday, but I was hoping to understand
how owners of property completely south of the fence (between the fence
and the Rio Grande) would be compensated, if at all. If the fence does
not cross their property, I imagine there's no need for condemnation, in
which case I wonder if the question of compensation comes up. For
example, Audubon has the 557-acre Sabal Palm Audubon Center near
Brownsville. As I understand it, the entire property is south of the
fence's proposed route. They say they would likely have to close their
center and I'm wondering if they would be entitled to compensation.
Also, any other general comment you may be able to offer about how DHS
has been working with other wildlife refuges or preserves, public and
private, along the river. I haven't seen any of them in Texas end up in
court yet, so I assume DHS has been able to work things out for access.

Have a good weekend.

(b)
(6)

(b) (6)
Rio Grande Valley Correspondent
The Associated Press
1400 E. Nolana
McAllen, TX 78504
(b) (6)

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