House overrides Coastal Commission's rejection of border fence
By: North County Times wire services SAN DIEGO - The U.S. House of Representatives Friday approved an environmental waiver needed to override the California Coastal Commission's rejection of a security fence project along the U.S.-Mexico border. | ∞
Citing environmental concerns, commission members in January decided the final 3 1/2 miles of the fence were inconsistent with the California Coastal Act, which regulates development.
In March, Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, asked that the federal 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act be amended to provide the necessary waivers to override the commission's decision.
The House agreed, and approved the amendment on a 256-160 vote.
"I am very pleased that my colleagues supported this amendment and understood that, as part of our homeland security efforts, we must complete the border fence," Hunter said.
He said the triple-fencing project is necessary to secure the border and to prevent smugglers and criminals from crossing.
The decision, with U.S. Senate backing, will clear the way for the completion of the project, which stretches 14 miles along the border from the Pacific Ocean to Otay Mountain.
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