Big Bend Border Project Review
Customs and Border Protection Considers Scaling Back Border Wall Construction at Big Bend National Park
Anonymous
The Trump administration has ended its pause on border-related work at Big Bend National Park, but Customs and Border Protection says it is considering changes to reduce the project’s scope and environmental impacts. The agency expects to finalize its plans in early October, and ground-disturbing work inside the park would likely not begin for several weeks after that. The proposal has drawn bipartisan and local opposition, including lawsuits and concerns about damage to the park’s landscape, wildlife, cultural resources and recreation economy. While the administration previously considered a 30-foot wall, current plans have included shorter vehicle barriers and patrol roads; opponents argue existing patrols and surveillance make new infrastructure unnecessary. Separately, the administration said it was resuming construction on a stretch of private land west of the park, including a proposed fence.
Key Points
1
Big Bend National Park covers about 800,000 acres and includes the entire Chisos Mountain range and more than 100 miles of Rio Grande river frontage.
2
The park’s current proposal calls for 17 miles of non-contiguous vehicle barriers roughly six feet tall and about 200 miles of patrol roads.
3
The separate project west of the park covers more than 60 miles of private land and includes a proposed 30-foot-high fence.
4
The administration said it would update the court and parties after deciding on work inside the park, and CBP would announce the decision publicly and share project information through its website and local media.
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