No Big Bend Wall Coalition: May 14 Update
Biggest Thing To Know
The Culberson County Commissioners Court listened to a presentation from Luke LaLiberty, an engineer in Montana who is responsible for building the proposed man camp in Lobo at the Pecan Grove Farms property. He claimed that the camp would take several weeks to build and would be built to house 500 people in RVs. He is working for Cushing Terrell. It is unclear if Cushing Terrell is subcontracted by Barnard or Fisher Sand and Gravel.
It was presented by the engineer as though the plans are a done deal — LaLiberty said it would take roughly 3-4 weeks to build the workforce housing camp after receiving county approval — but there is no evidence that the firm has done anything more than preliminary research on what permits are needed. We have no evidence of applications filed for 911 addresses or with TCEQ.
The court said that they have no specific permitting to approve or reject what happens on private land. The standard permitting rules will go through the state rules, which regulates water usage, stormwater, and traffic.
A meeting on Thursday with the Culberson County Groundwater Conservation District officially tabled a settlement that would allow the water allotment permit for Pecan Grove Farms to be used for a man camp on their land. The settlement will be re-considred at a meeting in June.
County officials claim that they are getting harassed by community members for supporting the wall when they are just doing their job. A reminder that kindness and respect towards our fellow citizens and officials will be more effective than rudeness.
The Landowner Coalition is gaining traction, with over 100 landowners signed up. There’s more information HERE.
What’s Next?
The CBP Map is back. No Big Bend Wall is still seeking volunteers to help with landowner outreach.
Signs and posters against the wall are available here. The more vocal we are, the better!
Landowners will soon be able to receive free legal representation through a legal defense fund created by the Border Wall Landowner Coalition. If you’re interested in legal representation, please email landowners@conservebigbend.org.
What Happened Last Week?
The Texas Tribune published a story that indicated that the border wall is no longer happening. We have no indication that is true.
More than 20 Fisher Sand & Gravel RV’s were seen at the Loma Paloma RV park in Presidio. Terry Bishop is the first landowner known to be cooperating with wall contractors.
Outreach is critical to landowners in the Big Bend Sector. David Keller and Yolanda Alvarado are coordinating efforts. Anyone interested in learning more can reach out to landowners@conservebigbend.org.
Key Upcoming Events
May 14, 2pm, Culberson County Groundwater Conservation District Meeting
May 14, 7 PM CT: Screening of “The River & The Wall” at Confluence Park in San Antonio, Texas. You can reserve your spot here.
May 16, 8am Hwy 118 at FM170 Save Big Bend — Defend the Rio Grande
May 19 - Press Conference in Austin hosted by No Border Wall Laredo
Want to get involved? Email howdy@nobigbendwall.org
Want to donate? Right this way.
