OBP005095

From: SELF, JEFFREY D

To: AGUILAR, DAVID V; COLBURN, RONALD S; (b) (6)
Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:54:27 AM
Attachments: (b) (6)

Chief,

Here is some updated information with a few of the higher profile issues that SWB is
dealing with.

Jeff

Meetings:

Friday 3/21/08, I will meet with AUSA (b) (6) on The Attorney Generals SWB
Strategy and Implementation of Operation Streamline. The Streamline information
will be used to complete a study that was mandated by Congress in the FY 2008
Omnibus appropriations bill. The task is to identify the cost of implementing
Operation Streamline across the entire SWB. I will now be in EPT so Deputy Division
Chief (b) (6) will take this meeting.

CPA Manjarrez, (b) (6) and I will meet with Congressman Reyes at 9 am on
Friday. We will only be meeting with him at his request. Topics of discussions will be
Reason for fence, operational decision making for fence and who makes these
decisions, time line of events concerning this issue, outreach efforts and RGV levee
vs. EPT drainage ditch.

Tours:

Chief Gilbert will be visiting the Malipai Group today (03/18/08) with Congresswoman
Giffords.

Congressional Staff Members (b) (6) and (b) (6) of the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security will be on a tour of Tucson
Sector from 03/18/08 through 03/21/08. The purpose of this visit is to view the
tactical infrastructure improvements made, visit P-28 and the COP.

(b) (6) Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs (Secretary of State), (b) (6)
Under Secretary for North American, Mexican Ministry of foreign Affairs,
Assistant to Mexico Secretary of State (b) (6) Director General for North
America, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be touring the Southwest Border all
this week. They will be in SDC, EPT, DRT and TCA. The only significant BP
involvement will be in TCA where he will be given a BP tour to include TI, P-28,
Nogales Tunnels, etc.

SBInet:
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• SBI, C-1 and C-2 have been talking with S-1 about doing a waiver for the
entire SWB. This is based on the below:
• Designated Wilderness and National Wildlife Refuge Areas
– DoI has determined fence and or access roads not lawfully
permitted/compatible
– Affects ~?? miles of proposed fence in San Diego, Tucson and Rio
Grande Valley sectors and proposed SBInet infrastructure in Tucson
and Yuma
• Timely Compliance with Endangered Species Act
– U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed Biological Opinions (BOs)
include mitigation plans that are extensive, costly, and potentially long-
term
– Once agreed too by CBP, BOs become a legal requirement/commitment
– BOs will require a significant amount of time and resources to negotiate
but must be agreed too by mid April to meet Dec 08 completion date
• BO negotiations for projects of size and complexity typically take
60 to 90 days to complete-current negotiations are estimated to
be completed by June/July
• FONSIs/RODs cannot be approved until BOs are approved-Both
of our EISs and at least 7 EAs require approved BOs
– Affects approximately 230 miles (including contingency) of proposed
fence in San Diego, El Centro, Tucson, El Paso and Rio Grande Valley

See the above attachment for information on a Del Rio issue where we will
possibly be buying house to build fence.

RGV levee issue is still up in the air. We still need the legislative fix where we can
legally give Government funding to Hildago County so they can build the levee.
Without this the only other option that is on the table is for the Secretary to waive
procurement laws. Both options are being explored.

BRIEFS:

We are working the EA TON brief and are ready to brief.

We are preparing the brief for the next ESC to present the operational reasoning for
wanting/having to go to Ajo.

We are preparing the brief that will be given to Congressmen Reyes and will ready to
brief you when you arrive at the office today.

Operations:

The joint operation between SDC BP/A&M, Coast Guard and ICE kicked off on
Monday. We will be monitoring the progress of this op.
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