Mexican side of the river now off limits.

[burrhead]

FYI, as of 8/13/10 per the Boarder Patrol, floaters on the Rio Grande may no longer land a boat, camp or hike on the Mexican side of the river. That means no more Fern Canyon, no more camping at hot springs in the lower canyons, etc.. Nada. You may land on the right side if it is an ?unexpected event?. Think a flip or scouting the rockslide or tight squeeze. Boaters beware.

[RichardM]

Wow, major bummer.   Have they put that in writing somewhere?

[burrhead]

Got this from Mike Long at Desert Sports. There was a meeting between Marfa Sector BP and the local outfitters last Friday and that was the news. There are some actions being taken but according to Mike it looks grim.

[Sotol Vista]

they cant even stop the folks at Boquillas and RGV from coming over and putting down their walking sticks and art work to sell.....how are they going to enforce this??

James

[burrhead]

If an outfitter's client takes a tumble in Fern and gets really hurt, how do you think their insurance company is going to react? For the private boater, ever seen the little BP piper cub flying the canyon? Illegal reentry is a $5,000 fine. I donno, it's up to the individual to take the risk. Something to think about.

[Al]

they cant even stop the folks at Boquillas and RGV from coming over and putting down their walking sticks and art work to sell.....how are they going to enforce this??

James

The guvment is flying an observation zeppelin over Camp Mabry this weekend.  The Statesman reports it's being promoted to monitor the border.  Let there be no doubt more resources are being used. 

I thought this right/left side of the river issue had been dealt with.  This is a giant step backwards particularly on the heels of the revived discussion of the long desired international park. A cost benefit analysis would have to conclude this is a stupid idea.

So if I go canoeing without a guide service and camp on the right side of the river, are we back to facing $5,000 fines and having to somehow cross the desert to a legal crossing to get back to the left side?

Al

[burrhead]

"So if I go canoeing without a guide service and camp on the right side of the river, are we back to facing $5,000 fines and having to somehow cross the desert to a legal crossing to get back to the left side?"

Again, that's the story I got from the owner of Desert Sports. I've known Mike for 20+ years and he's a calm, cool head not given to hyperbole. We talked for an hour about this and, as I say, he is not optimistic of the ruling changing in the near future, if at all. Ten years ago I wouldn't of believed I couldn't go to Paso anytime I wanted but, here we are. The times they are a'changin'... too fast.

[SHANEA]

I still can't figure out how you can go boating on Amistad and cross back and forth over the boundary...

Won't be long before all trips on the Rio Grande will be forbidden as you "naturally" cross into Mexico row row rowing your boat down the river.

[Al]

I wonder if there is a website that provides statistics on the number of illegal entries into the US by stretch of southern border. I bet Big Bend National Park falls below two standard deviations from the mean.

Al

[fc7cuda]

Just go have fun and don't worry about it.(left vs right)

I'll go back to Fern and other spots, do you drive 55 too?

[Cookie]

Just go have fun and don't worry about it.(left vs right)

I'll go back to Fern and other spots, do you drive 55 too?

Just be sure when you post your trip report to only include your "left side" pictures and "left side" report!

So glad the government has it's priorities straight in securing our borders

~Cookie

[Quatro]

I agree the odds of being caught are low.  But if the fine were $5,000, I faced several hours of interrogation at least and I knew the lawmen were in a state of hysteria over the matter, I'd probably set the cruise control at 53 just to make sure.  Besides, I still have that 1972 Trespassing with intent to fish deal on my record I'm trying to work off.

[bjbriggs]

Something to read......
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/080210_borderpatrol

[Undertaker]

Sad very sad, man I miss Falcon's.

[CactusFlower]

Falcon's was a great place.  The tacos were great and few things tasted as good as an ice cold Coke after riding the donkey from the river.  My regret is that I didn't spend the night over there or do any exploring.