Posts about construction

Photo ©Rebecca L. Latson

"I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition"

I stand with the Keep Big Bend Wild coalition in their mission to secure official Wilderness designation for Big Bend National Park's untouched backcountry. This fight isn't new—the National Park Service first championed it in 1974, during my tenure as Director, and reaffirmed the call in 1978. Now, it's time for Congress to act. By enshrining permanent, statutory protection, we can ensure Big Bend’s breathtaking landscapes remain shielded from policy shifts or development threats. It's heartening to see the backing of former NPS Directors, united in our commitment to safeguarding America's wilderness legacy so future generations can continue to embrace its solitude, beauty, and ecological richness."

~ Ronald H. Walker, NPS Director 1973-1975

Satellite imagery of Big Bend border construction.

NYTimes | Satellite Images Contradict Border Agency on Construction in Big Bend

Customs and Border Protection claimed that construction on a border security project in Big Bend National Park in Texas was limited to “survey and design” work. Visual Investigations’ satellite[…]

Southwest Valley employees install T posts and rope along a leveled river access area off Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park on Aug. 13, 2026. Kaylee Greenlee for The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune | Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump

For over a generation, Texas Republicans have owned the politics of the southern border. Now the Trump administration’s latest border project has them cornered, stuck between constituents outraged over federal[…]

A bulldozer at Cottonwood Campground. Photo credit Mary Cantrell/Marfa Public Radio

A Billion Worlds | How Planned ‘Border Patrol Roads’ Will Devastate Big Bend National Park

The Billion Worlds newsletter was created to help open my eyes and yours to worlds of hopeful possibilities we may not have known were there. Sadly, in recent months[…]

Big Bend National Park Entrance

AP | Trump administration briefly pauses contentious border project in Texas’ Big Bend National Park

The Trump administration said Monday it is temporarily pausing construction of a contentious border construction project in Texas’ Big Bend National Park while the head of the agency tasked with building[…]

Texas judges are calling on DHS to increase transparency around plans for border wall construction in Big Bend / Rebecca Latson.

The Hill | Texas state lawmakers urge Abbott to help stop CBP barrier construction in Big Bend National Park

Dozens of Texas lawmakers earlier this week urged Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to put a stop to the Trump administration’s plans to build border barrier installations at Big Bend National Park. 

Bob Krumenaker on CNN

CNN | Crews Now Clearing Land in Big Bend for CBP Project

Inside Big Bend National Park, we are looking at fewer people crossing. It's less than 0.05% of all the border crossings that are apprehended along the US-Mexico border.

A javelina looks over an area where bulldozers have begun clearing land at Bend National Park. Photo by Natalie Newman

Pam LeBlanc Adventures | Former Big Bend superintendent reacts as bulldozers begin clearing land at national park

Contractors broke ground on Wednesday, but Customs and Border Protection still won’t say exactly what they’re doing, instead claiming they are “in the initial stages of planning and design.”

Construction workers and heavy equipment at Big Bend National Park.

Our Public Lands and Waters | Watch Federal Contractors Destroy Big Bend National Park

As I reported on Wednesday, federal contractors from Southwest Valley Constructors have broken ground in Big Bend National Park for border barriers and new roads.

A wide open vista at Big Bend National Park

Wild Idea Media | A New Management Plan for the Colorado River, BLM Approves Data Center on Public Land, and Forest Service Initiates ICE Raid

Originally posted August 7, 2026 This week on The Wild Line, we’re tracking a new 10-year Colorado River management plan, the first data center approved on BLM-managed public land,[…]

Customs and Border Protection says the work at Big Bend National Park is part of a land assessment ahead of a $1.7 billion dollar effort to improve border security in the region. Natalie Newman

SFGate | Bulldozers are ripping apart Big Bend National Park. Conservationists are furious.

Originally posted August 7, 2026 Heavy construction equipment has appeared inside Big Bend National Park in southern Texas as contractors for Customs and Border Protection begin a land assessment.[…]

Support Keep Big Bend Wild

Click this button to add your name to the growing list of individuals, businesses, and organizations supporting a wilderness designation for the undeveloped lands of Big Bend National Park.

If you would also be willing to help support Keep Big Bend Wild financially please click Donate. 

Every contribution helps defray the cost of our volunteers to produce materials and travel to meetings to build awareness and strengthen our coalition. 

Contributions supporting Keep Big Bend Wild are managed by the El Paso Community Foundation and are tax deductible as allowed by law.

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Images © Rebecca Latson.

Keep Big Bend Wild
P.O. Box 66
Big Bend National Park, TX, 79834