Standing atop an earthen levee just north of the Rio Grande and near the famous Santa Ana National Wildlife Refugee, environmentalist Scott Nicol wondered Friday where signs indicating that this area is now part of a 250-mile long border lands military zone.

The newly annexed 250-mile stretch at the border spans two counties and runs alongside cities including Brownsville and McAllen.

Several international crossing projects in three South Texas counties have been accelerated due to a special fast-track permitting process approved last year by Congress.