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Agency To Explain Border Fence Construction

RIO GRANDE CITY (AP) - Officials from a U.S. agency that monitors the U.S.-Mexico border are to explain why they're allowing construction of border fence segments in the Rio Grande flood plain.

The explanation will come at a South Texas citizen forum Wednesday evening in Rio Grande City.

Earlier this year, the U.S. side of the International Boundary and Water Commission withdrew its objection to border fence construction in the flood plain, finding it wouldn't obstruct the flow of the Rio Grande significantly.

The decision potentially affects about seven miles of fencing planned in the flood plain. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says there are no immediate plans to build the segments because funding doesn't exist, but Mexico argues the fencing would violate a treaty and deflect floodwaters to its side of the river.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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