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  2. How is CBP engaging stakeholders to solicit feedback?

How is CBP engaging stakeholders to solicit feedback?

Throughout the planning for fence projects, CBP has actively engaged stakeholders including Federal and State regulatory agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the general public.

Prior to the April 2008 waiver, CBP held numerous public open houses seeking comments from the public and CBP received and addressed hundreds of comments on the draft Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. Since the inception of the fence construction projects, CBP has:

  • Contacted nearly 600 different landowners.
  • Held 15 Public Open House meetings that have been advertised to the public.
  • Hosted 20 Town Hall meetings – which were advertised to the public and provided an opportunity for dialogue – along the Southwest Border.
  • Held more than 80 meetings with public groups in addition to the Town Halls.
  • Held more than 200 separate meetings with a range of State, local, and Tribal officials.

After the waiver, CBP continued to reach out to stakeholders regarding plans for tactical infrastructure. CBP held additional public open houses for the vehicle fence programs in Arizona and New Mexico. In addition, CBP worked closely with State and Federal resource agencies and land owners on the specific designs and locations of the fence and made numerous accommodations to meet stakeholder concerns.

For example, ranchers in New Mexico were concerned that the fence would keep cattle from moving north and south. But resource agencies were concerned that deer could still jump the fence to move north and south. CBP worked closely with both groups to design special “deer panels” that were specially constructed and installed in specific locations chosen by resource agencies to meet the needs of both groups.

Last Modified: Nov 12, 2013