OBP005220

From: SELF, JEFFREY D

To: (b) (6) BEESON, PAUL A; (b)
GILBERT, ROBERT W; (b) (6) MANJARREZ, VICTOR M; (b) (6) (6)
SMIETANA, JOHN J; (b) (6) HILL, RANDY R; (b) (6) CARRILLO, CARLOS X;
(b) (6) VITIELLO, RONALD D; (b) (6)
Subject: FW: Levee talking points
Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 5:20:00 PM

Chiefs,

Please see the below talking points.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jeff

From: (b) (6)

Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:46 PM
To: SELF, JEFFREY D; (b) (6)
Cc: (b) (6)
Subject: Levee talking points

Sirs,

I am aware of several levee/fencing proposals swirling around in Texas, some with more potential
viability than others.

Per a request from OBP personnel, I have worked with SBI to get cleared talking points on such
proposals; these points were also reviewed/cleared by OBP after the recent meeting on the TX levee
proposal. This text meets the goal of the Commissioner's Office to maintain all the commitments
outlined below. This text allows for some room to evaluate local proposals as part of our consultative
process but also has a fairly high hurdle for any such project (please see the last bullet).

I hope this is helpful to all of us as we move forward.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

Thank you,
(b)
(6)
(b) (6)
Advisor to the Commissioner and State & Local Liaison
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Department of Homeland Security
Phone - (b) (6)
(b) (6)

From: (b) (6)

Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:31 PM
To: (b) (6)
Subject: RE: Levee tour

Hi (b) (6)
OBP005221

I ran these by Greg, and we added a few more bullets from the existing language.

Secretary Chertoff has committed that DHS will have built a total of 370 miles of pedestrian
fence along the southwest border by the end of CY 2008.
DHS remains committed to a transparent and consultative process as we move forward with the
construction of the remaining 225 miles of pedestrian fence.
Since May 2007, DHS has engaged in extensive discussions about the placement of the
remaining 225 miles of fencing with state and local stakeholders, including landowners, to
ensure that our investments effectively balance border security with the diverse needs of
those that live in border communities.
DHS is also committed to making every effort to comply with federal environmental laws and be
good stewards of the environment.
As part of these processes, CBP will receive and evaluate infrastructure proposals submitted by
local partners (e.g. cities, counties, water districts, IBWC).
However, the feasibility of any such proposal can only be evaluated after fully considering the
complex operational, financial, environmental and construction timeline requirements associated
with the project.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

(b) (6)
Secure Border Initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(b) (6)