Facing questions from U.S. congress members and local residents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasized that the ongoing construction projects within the protection area of Big Bend National Park in Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border involve limited road and vehicle barrier construction, not the building of a “30-foot high wall.”
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott stated in a statement released on August 13th that, “CBP is constructing a new access road, improving existing roads, installing detection technology equipment, and placing vehicle barriers in strategic locations. We will not be constructing 30-foot high walls or stadium lighting facilities in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, or Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.”
Scott pointed out that the current construction activities are for “survey and design work,” not the actual construction of tall walls. He emphasized that the projects aim to preserve the landscape, maintain pathways relied upon by tourists and local businesses, and assist border patrol agents in more effectively detecting illegal border crossings and providing timely assistance to endangered tourists.
Big Bend National Park, located in Texas and situated at the bend of the Rio Grande River, is renowned for its majestic mountains, valleys, and desert landscapes, bordering Mexico for approximately 118 miles. The park’s website also warns visitors that incidents of drug smuggling and illegal border crossings occasionally occur within the park.
Despite CBP’s emphasis on the limited scale of the project, local residents and environmental groups still express concerns. Senator John Cornyn (Republican, Texas) recently mentioned the potential impacts of the construction on the landscape and local economy.
Laiken Jordahl, a national public lands advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that the Department of Homeland Security is constructing a completely new road, with bulldozers clearing previously undisturbed areas, uprooting native vegetation including willows, palo verde trees, and mesquite. He pointed out that the plan includes approximately 17 miles of vehicle barriers, which could hinder access to the Rio Grande and affect recreational activities like rafting, fishing, and swimming.
Cary Dupuy, the regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association in Texas, expressed that due to limited official information, it is currently challenging for outsiders to fully assess the long-term impacts of the new plan. She urged the government to pause the project before further construction and engage in meaningful dialogue with the local community.
According to the Big Bend National Park website, Mexican citizens may display items for sale on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River, and “purchasing these items could encourage illegal river crossings, leading to potential arrests, deportation from Presidio located 100 miles away, as well as fines or imprisonment.”
(Adapted from reporting by “The Hill”)