The US is so concerned that criminals and terrorists are crossing the Canadian border into the United States that more security needs to be present along the 6400 km boundary. A draft report has been made by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency detailing what needs to be done.

The report proposes the use of “fencing and other barriers” on the 49th parallel to manage “trouble spots where passage of cross-border violators is difficult to control.”

But a spokesperson for U.S Customs and Border Protection said the government is not considering the fence option “at this time” and instead is looking at the environmental effects of putting more manpower, technology and infrastructure along the border.

Although the US CBP says they are not considering a fence, they are considering other types of security via new technologies. Hopefully, the US is seriously considering the environmental effects of blocking off wildlife migration when they create this “fence.”

The border service is also pondering options including a beefed-up technological presence through increased use of radar, sensors, cameras, drones and vehicle scanners. In addition, it might continue to improve or expand customs facilities at ports of entry.

It is curious to see that the US wants more security protocols when they have recently stated that they want to ease border controls to eliminate the delays goods, services, and people experience today.

Many new roads will have to be built as vast stretches of the border are covered in forests and are not easily accessible. Although unmanned aircraft current cover parts of the thickly covered border, the DHS feels that it isn’t adequate enough.

“The lack of roads or presence of unmaintained roads impedes efficient surveillance operations,” says the report. “Improving or expanding the roadway and trail networks could improve mobility, allowing agents to patrol more miles each day and shortening response times.”

There will be a series of meetings next month to discuss the issue as well as invitations to the public to make comments on the issue.