Many Americans seem to be gung ho about building a border fence to cover all 1,952 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border. The paddling community in South Texas is not among them. In fact the federal government’s border fence plans in this area of Texas has come under attack not only by outdoor sport enthusiasts but also wildlife advocates and land conservationists.
In protest against the proposed section of border fence that would block off the lower Rio Grande, this fall paddlers and enthusiasts will convene for a variety of events aimed at raising awareness of what blocking access to the river would do to recreational opportunities on this section of the river. Imagine kayaking and canoeing with a slew of border patrol agents in bulletproof vests; not your ideal peaceful afternoon in nature.
Local non-profit Los Caminos del Rio is planning a Healthy Living Festival for November 1, in the hopes of taking advantage of any attention that the border issue could receive three days before the U.S. presidential election. We should however give the government some credit; even if the US Border Patrol is not withdrawing from its border fence plans, it does recognize the positive impact of Los Caminos del Rio’s efforts because it increases bodies on the river. “The more eyes we have out there, the better job we can do,” said Dan Doty, spokesman for the local Border Patrol sector.
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