Hello from the Big Bend! 

Several significant events happened this past week, most especially a change in the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol online map of a border wall planned for the Big Bend area. If you haven’t already, please read our full response to the CBP’s map developments here: Official NBBW Statement.

ALL HANDS ON DECK- SAVE BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK 

Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas’ largest state park, encompassing over 300,000 acres of wild desert mountains, canyons, and river country. With 238 miles of multi-use trails and roughly 22 miles of frontage along the Rio Grande, it is one of the state's most remote and spectacular landscapes.

A border wall barrier, if built according to the CBP map, would effectively compromise public access to the river, along with multiple trails and campsites. Large scale industrial construction, lights, and barriers would disrupt wildlife routes and breeding populations and cause irreparable  damage to the pristine Chihuahuan desert ecosystem that the State Park is in place to protect. 

What we know:

• There is still a border wall planned for the Big Bend area

• 28 Federal laws are waived to enable construction 

• The CBP map continues to show a border wall system in place for 172 miles

• A planned “primary border wall’ is still designated for part of the Big Bend Ranch State Park 

• $1.2 BILLION has been awarded by DHS to contractors for wall construction in the “Big Bend 2” sector from Ruidosa, TX through Big Bend Ranch State Park.

• TPWD has not issued a public statement concerning a border wall in BBRSP

• Governor Greg Abbott has not issued a public statement concerning a border wall in Big Bend. 
  

We need your help to get our message across loud and clear: “No Wall in BBRSP.” 

Here’s how you can help RIGHT NOW:

CALL TO ACTION WRITE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONERS: 

STEP BY STEP: HOW TO MAKE A COMMENT TO TPWD COMMISSIONERS

• Click HERE to access the TPWD comment portal 

• Create an account; you just need your name and email

• Select the comment category: STATE PARKS

• Select the topic: STATE PARKS & HISTORIC SITES

• Use one of our pre-written scripts or write your own comment

• If you write your own comment, be sure to include:

  • “ATTN: TPWD Commissioners and Executive Director” at the top of the comment

  • Request that TWPD sends a reply to your comment

Texas deserves transparency and advocacy from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Gov. Greg Abbott. Texans urge them to: 

• Uphold the TPWD mission: Protect Big Bend Ranch State Park by using your position of authority to strongly oppose construction of a border wall and fully protect Texas public land in BBRSP for generations to come.

• Follow and enforce Due Process: Ensure that all means of “border security” meet strict standards that do not disrupt or damage the fragile ecosystem and cultural resources of the park. Demand a restoration of environmental and cultural review, including the 28+ federal environmental, historic preservation, and administrative statutes that were waived in Section 102(c) to expedite construction in the area

• Provide transparency: Issue an official public statement in opposition to a border wall and guarantee that river access, trails and campsites along the river corridor will be preserved and remain accessible for public use. 

• Public Comments: Include Big Bend Ranch State Park and CBP’s planned border wall into the upcoming TPWD Commissioner’s agenda in May; allow for public comment

After you’ve submitted your comment, please share this call to action on socials or with your neighbors. Texans should have a say in protecting our state parks, and this is a helpful way to make sure your voice is heard. 

Already submitted your comment to TPWD? Here are a few other ways you can get involved and help right now!

1. Sign this letter
   
   No Big Bend Wall Coalition will deliver this letter to TPWD Commissioners and the TWPD Executive Director. Deadline to sign March 23rd! Goal is 10k signatures! 
   

2. Keep Calling, Writing and Emailing

   Gov. Greg Abbott is the top decision maker in regards to Texas State Parks. Make sure he knows it is his job to protect Big Bend Ranch State Park, oppose the border wall and issue a public statement. 
   

3. Visit our website for other action items
   
   Thank you for helping amplify local voices, protect our public lands, and encourage our elected officials to do the same. Our collective voices truly make a difference, keep the pressure on!

Thank you!

No Big Bend Wall Coalition