Biggest Thing To Know

For a fight that’s allegedly been won (according to confusing media headlines), the DHS still seems fully intent on completing a border wall across much of the Big Bend region. We saw a slew of new developments last week and need our supporters to stay vigilant and continue to spread the word about what is at stake. The final day for comments to CBP is tomorrow, May 22. Send a note to BigBendComments@cbp.dhs.gov.  

Here’s a quick overview of where things stand.  

• THE SINGLE LARGEST border construction contract in U.S. history was awarded for Big Bend National Park sector: On May 11, a contract for $1.7B was awarded to Southwest Valley Constructors for the CBP sector (BBT-4) covering BBNP. The contract was awarded for “border wall in Big Bend Texas” according to usaspending.gov. This came one week after CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott went on the record saying a wall would not be built in Big Bend National Park.  

  Even assuming the highest dollar amounts for road and technology construction in challenging terrain, the number doesn’t even begin to approach $15M / mile, raising questions around what the contract funds will actually go towards.  

• Protective regulations waived for 60 more miles of Rio Grande: On May 15, Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the DHS, waived a set of 29 environmental and conservation laws for roughly 60 miles of the Wild & Scenic portion of the Rio Grande just east of Big Bend National Park. Protections have now been waived for 235 miles--roughly half of the Big Bend sector.    

  Mullin cited “an acute and immediate need” to prevent unlawful border crossings as the reasoning for the waived protections. The Big Bend Sector represents less than 6 crossings, per mile, per year. Crossings in this region have dropped 74% from 2023. In no way does CBP’s own data support his claim.  

• 500-person man camp construction continues despite unresolved water permitting: A large RV site in Culberson County between the towns of Van Horn and Valentine continues to be cleared and graded, creating huge clouds of dust. The camp still hasn’t received clearance to shift the on-site water permit from agricultural to residential. The Lobo site is the first large-scale map camp for border wall installation. 

The Landowner Coalition is gaining traction, with over 100 landowners signed up. There’s more information HERE.

What’s Next?

• The final day for comments to CBP is tomorrow, May 22. Send a note to BigBendComments@cbp.dhs.gov.  

• Construction has started on Chispa Road. It's unclear if proper permits were acquired from TCEQ, but neighbors are complaining of dust. If you are directly affected by the air quality, you can log a complaint here. If you are seeing at-risk construction practices or impacts to stormwater and groundwater from construction, please log a complaint with TCEQ.  

• Call your state senators. Urge them to pressure TCEQ to uphold their procedural guidelines and inquire about this on your behalf.

• All of the previous superintendents for the Big Bend National Park have signed an open letter to Markwayne Mullin, urging him not to waive laws inside the national park.  

• 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. No Big Bend Wall is still seeking volunteers to help with landowner outreach.

What Happened Last Week?

• There was a press conference in Austin on May 19. It was hosted by No Border Wall Laredo to raise awareness about what is happening along the entire Texas border and urge our representatives and state senators to halt all funding to the border wall and border wall infrastructure, and fund our futures instead.  

  View Billy Bartko’s speech → HERE

  View Anna Claire Beasley’s speech → HERE

• The CBP “Smart Wall” map has reappeared after vanishing for over three weeks: As anticipated, it has once again changed. The legend designating a variety of different barrier types was also updated.  

• 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 22 (TOMORROW)  is the final day for comments to CBP.  

• May 23 — Defend Big Bend will be meeting at the Y of Hwy 118 and FM 170

• June 12 will be Big Bend’s Birthday — come celebrate with us in Terlingua. Details to come!

Want to get involved? Email howdy@nobigbendwall.org

Want to donate? Right this way.