Administration Begins Bulldozing Through Big Bend National Park

WASHINGTON - Over the weekend, federal contractors authorized by Customs and Border Protection began bulldozing miles of sensitive habitat near Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

Contractors bulldozed through key areas of the park as part of the administration’s controversial plan to build new border barriers, paved roads, and other invasive infrastructure in the wild Big Bend landscape.

The National Parks Conservation Association strongly opposes the administration’s plans for construction through Big Bend, which could inflict irreparable damage to Texas national parks, iconic wildlife, and tight-knit gateway communities like Terlingua.

Five border security infrastructure projects are currently underway in the Big Bend region, impacting not only Big Bend National Park but nearby Amistad National Recreation Area and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The administration has waived bedrock environmental laws designed to protect national parks that would require extensive review for these types of projects.

The harsh terrain and unforgiving desert elements in Big Bend are a deterrent for unauthorized border crossings. The region consistently ranks lowest in unauthorized border crossings compared to other sections of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Tiernan Sittenfeld, National Parks Conservation Association President and CEO, said: “Bulldozing Big Bend National Park is an unconscionable attack on one of America’s greatest treasures. The administration is slashing through miles of this wild landscape, threatening access to recreation and harming sensitive wildlife habitat.

“Park advocates and local communities have warned the administration for months that their plan to build border wall infrastructure in Big Bend poses serious risks to this one-of-a-kind national park and surrounding landscape. Now Big Bend National Park and the people who love this place are suffering the consequences.

“Customs and Border Protection must halt construction in this iconic landscape. There is still a chance for the administration to work together with Congress and communities to form a new plan for border security in the region that will not forever damage America’s national parks.” Sittenfeld concluded.

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit [www.npca.org].