Months of waffling over how it might construct a border wall through Big Bend National Park took on some clarity Monday when the Department of Homeland Security waived all environmental regulations that normally would need to be followed to construct a wall there.
In a six-page decision statement the department said the waiver of the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Park Service Organic Act, the Clean Water Act, the Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the Paleontological Resources Protection Act, the Federal Caves Protection Act, and a slew of other environmental laws was needed "in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in the state of Texas."
The order drew immediate harsh criticism from conservation and park advocates.
“The absolute disdain this administration has for our national parks is disgraceful, and now they’re targeting Texas’ most beloved national park,” said Laiken Jordahl, national public lands advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). “The only people benefiting from this destruction are the billionaire contractors set to pad their pockets while paving over our natural heritage and permanently locking a great American river behind hideous steel barriers. We won’t stop fighting for this crown-jewel national park and the Rio Grande.”
The decision by Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security secretary, comes after months of back and forth within the department over whether a wall would actually be constructed in the national park.
In mid-May the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner said the agency would not build a wall in Big Bend, but a week later the agency awarded a $1.7 billion contract for border wall construction in the Big Bend region. The contract went to Southwest Valley Constructors Co. and was awarded on May 11. It shows a “current end date” of May 11, 2027.
The contract specified that the money was to go toward the “construction task order for border wall in Big Bend Texas.” A second $4.5 million contract was awarded two days later to Vernadero Group Inc. for “resource monitoring support of construction of border wall in Big Bend Texas.”
According to details obtained by the National Parks Traveler, the scope of work includes 17 miles of unspecified vehicle barriers inside and adjacent to the national park, as well as 205 miles of “system attributes (patrol roads and technology)” in unspecified locations.
Since plans for the border wall through Big Bend came to light in February following the CBP publishing a map showing the wall, public backlash has been fierce. CBP removed the wall from the map in March, and in early April, a lawsuit was filed to block the Department of Homeland Security from building the wall through the region. On April 21, new mapping from CBP indicated the agency returned to planning for a physical border wall in Big Bend. Less than two weeks later, CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott announced there would be no border wall built through Big Bend.
CBD staff said Monday that CBP's online map currently shows that steel vehicle barriers and patrol roads are planned for this stretch of border, adding that waiver of the environmental laws "authorizes construction of the full suite of border barrier infrastructure, including 'fencing, barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors.'”
The conservation group also said Homeland Security last week awarded another $2.6 billion contract, "the costliest border construction contract yet, for the Lower Canyons stretch of the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande."
The decision by Mullin comes despite opposition to construction of a wall in the national park voiced by former Big Bend superintendents and staff and county sheriffs in Texas, all who said a wall was unnecessary in the park due to the rugged terrain.
“We all agree that we need a secure border at Big Bend. Collectively, we have spent decades working with the Border Patrol and local law enforcement leaders to ensure so,” said the former park officials, who combined have 259 years of Park Service experience. “But a physical wall, additional paved roads, vehicle barriers, or other large scale infrastructure projects within the park are not the way to accomplish this.
“… There does not need to be a conflict between a strong border, a thriving local economy, and conservation of the wildest, most intact landscapes of Texas and our nation,” they wrote.
Stories about:
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
