Federal contractors begin clearing land in Big Bend National Park for border infrastructure
Bulldozers have started clearing desert vegetation in Big Bend National Park as part of a $1.7 billion border-security project, prompting opposition from conservation groups and local residents.
Federal contractors have moved heavy equipment into Big Bend National Park in Texas, clearing desert shrubs and marking a construction corridor with pink ribbons where willow and mesquite trees once grew. The work is part of a $1.7 billion plan that includes vehicle barriers, patrol roads and surveillance technology intended to deter illegal crossings along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials say the infrastructure will help agents detect illegal crossings more quickly and protect park visitors. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott told reporters the activity currently visible in the park is limited to survey and design work, not full-scale construction, and that the goal is to “secure the park and protect its legacy.”
Opponents, including the Center for Biological Diversity and local residents, argue the project will cause irreversible damage to the park’s ecosystem. Laiken Jordahl of the Center for Biological Diversity said, “If we lose places like Big Bend, we never get them back.” Local educator Bernadette Devine called for state leaders to intervene, while Republican Sen. John Cornyn requested meetings with federal officials before further work proceeds. Governor Greg Abbott’s office reiterated that rugged areas like Big Bend are suitable for deploying technology to aid border security.
The border sector encompassing the park, which spans 517 miles, has seen a decline in illegal crossing encounters, according to CBP data for fiscal year 2025. Nevertheless, the presence of construction equipment has sparked protests, with river guide Billy Miller addressing a crowd of about 150 people near Santa Elena Canyon, warning that the river and surrounding landscape remain under threat.