The Department of Homeland Security has until the end of the year to finish a 700-mile stretch of fencing along the Mexican border, and apparently the agency isn't going to let any of those pesky environmental laws and regulations get in the way.

Yesterday, the Bush administration said it would waive 30 environmental reviews in order to allow DHS to complete the remaining 470 miles of fence on time. The waivers will affect environmentally sensitive areas in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The move, permitted by a Congressional exemption, means DHS won't have to conduct reviews about how the fence may affect water quality, vegetation and wildlife, including migration patterns.

So far, the agency has completed about 300 of the 700 miles of fence, which is intended to curb illegal immigration. "We’re serious about delivering it, and these waivers will enable important security projects to keep moving forward," said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The New York Times called it "a sweeping use of its authority," though "abuse" is probably the much better word here. Legal experts said the waivers will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for successful legal challenges. We wonder what's in store for the other 1,200 miles of U.S.-Mexican border.