There was some crazy-ass report on Fox News about the US giving part of southern Arizona, namely the area in between Casa Grande and Gila Bend off of I-8 (including the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge) back to Mexico because it's been taken over by the cartels. Ridiculous, I know!
I swear they're (fill in the blank for "they") are trying as hard as they can to create political unrest against Mexicans in this country. So sad.
They said the Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public, so I e-mailed the contact at the US Fish & Wildlife Service and this was the response I got:
"The refuge IS open to the public. We are receving calls and emails about this. Nothing has changed from previously, we're open as always. Erroneous information came out on Fox News and in some Web blogs.
The southernmost half-mile of the refuge has been closed to the public and refuge staff since 2006 so that Border Patrol can be unimpeded in their patrols. It also helps ensure public safety to not be in that area right along the border, just in case. There is less immigrant traffic along the southern boundary of the refuge now as a result of the 12-foot border fence.
The closure involves 3500 acres, but the rest of the refuge's 118,000 acres is open to the public . . . . driving, hiking, camping, bird-watching, hunting . . . as usual.
The refuge is definitely open and no additional closures have been instituted since 2006. You're welcome to visit!
Thank you for your concern.
Bonnie Swarbrick
Buenos Aires NWR"
I swear they're (fill in the blank for "they") are trying as hard as they can to create political unrest against Mexicans in this country. So sad.
They said the Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public, so I e-mailed the contact at the US Fish & Wildlife Service and this was the response I got:
"The refuge IS open to the public. We are receving calls and emails about this. Nothing has changed from previously, we're open as always. Erroneous information came out on Fox News and in some Web blogs.
The southernmost half-mile of the refuge has been closed to the public and refuge staff since 2006 so that Border Patrol can be unimpeded in their patrols. It also helps ensure public safety to not be in that area right along the border, just in case. There is less immigrant traffic along the southern boundary of the refuge now as a result of the 12-foot border fence.
The closure involves 3500 acres, but the rest of the refuge's 118,000 acres is open to the public . . . . driving, hiking, camping, bird-watching, hunting . . . as usual.
The refuge is definitely open and no additional closures have been instituted since 2006. You're welcome to visit!
Thank you for your concern.
Bonnie Swarbrick
Buenos Aires NWR"
