From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

The Border Fence with Mexico.

What's the rush?

Hello again, I'm Arminowley, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues. Americans care about most.

The Bush administration has waived more than 30 environmental protection laws to finish the border fence

before the end of this year. The Clean Water and Endangered Species Act are among those that

won't apply for 361 miles along the Texas-Arizona border. Significant parts of several wildlife refuges will be on

the Mexico side. Private lands will be subject to eminent domain. On to the point, the mayor of Eagle

Passed Texas says it's a waste of money and it conveys a false sense of security. Why is the government

moving so fast? Would better enforcement be enough to justify long-term environmental costs?

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation

and the John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur Foundation. Hello again. Warren Alney, back with To the Point. Congress wants to fence

off the Mexican border by the end of this year. So the Bush administration has waived the Clean Air

Act and the Endangered Species Act, along with some 30 other environmental laws. On To the Point,

will completing the fence mean better border enforcement?

Will it be worth the environmental costs?

First, this news update, as General David Petraeus prepares this week's testimony to Congress,

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