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 [email protected].  

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. 
  
• CBP’s “Big Bend Projects, 1, 2, 3”  in Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio County, will encompass 166 miles of:
  
  • The private lands of 300+ landowners, ranchers, and farmers 
  • Rio Grande River Corridor, largest open-air body of water and the most critical hydrological feature for the region in Presidio County
  • Wildlife corridor, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk
  • Historical communities of Redford, Presidio, Ruidosa, Candelaria, Fort Quitman
  • Historical sites of Fort Leaton, Ruidosa Church
  • The La Junta Archeological District, one of the oldest continuously inhabited and cultivated areas in North America
  • The Candelaria Wetlands, a rare Chihuahuan Desert oasis located near the historic ghost town of Candelaria in Presidio County, about 48 miles northwest of Presidio, Texas
     

Email your comments to CBP at [email protected].

Email Subject Line: “Big Bend Border Barrier System”

Comments may also be submitted by calling (833) 412-2056

Comments received in response, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record.