Construction paused in Big Bend region as South Texas residents fight border project

Several months after rumors about a Big Bend border wall began to spread, construction that was underway on Monday came to a pause.

Residents in the area first reported contractors with heavy machinery moving into the area in early August. Video and pictures taken by Terlingua resident Natalie Newman and shared widely on social media show bulldozers clearing brush in Big Bend National Park near Santa Elena Canyon, one of the park's most recognizable and visited spots. 

"We're seeing the development of man camps and staging areas with dozens of heavy machinery pieces," Newman said.

However, a video shared on X from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott in response to CBS News Texas' original post regarding the construction announced the agency was "pausing all construction activity" while he visited and conducted an evaluation in person.

"Last night, I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes till I can get down there and do a personal evaluation, talk to some stakeholders, talk to some local law enforcement in that area," Scott said. "More to follow this week."

The text that accompanied Scott's video was more expansive, reading "CBP is firmly committed to protecting America, and that includes our national treasures like Big Bend National Park (BBNP). We know the current and predictable national security threats and they are real. Now over the next couple of days, I will join a small team to evaluate the terrain and listen to local leadership, community members and stakeholders to ensure that we secure our borders while simultaneously protecting BBNP for generations to come."

Prior to the pause, the start of construction was a moment Big Bend residents had been dreading and trying to stop all year with public demonstrations and events, a visit to the national and state capitols, and an online petition that's collected more than 175,000 signatures since February. Residents and advocates have been fighting against any sort of border barrier, they say would destroy the natural landscape, disturb archaeological sites, and devastate the region's $56 million tourism economy.

Bipartisan critics also argue a physical barrier in the region doesn't make sense, as the mountains, river and desert that make up the harsh landscape serve as a natural deterrent. 

Still, dozens of federal laws have been waived to clear the way for construction, billions of dollars have been awarded in federal contracts and hundreds of contracted workers have descended on the area.

In a previous email to CBS News Texas, a CBP spokesperson said construction on the project within Big Bend National Park had not started yet, and that crews were onsite to regrade roads that were damaged by recent storms that are required for access to conduct surveys. The spokesperson also said:

"CBP is not planning to construct a 30-foot-high barrier in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, or the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. CBP is planning for approximately 200 miles of patrol roads and detection technology along with approximately 17 miles of non-contiguous areas of vehicle barriers in strategic locations."

Despite an online map published by CBP initially showing a physical wall going through the national and state parks, for months, the federal government has said there won't be a 30-foot barrier through either park. But that has done little to ease locals' concerns.

"The roadways they want to put in require almost as much destruction as would be necessary to put in a vertical wall," Newman said. 

Redford resident Charlie Angell said planned construction will impact his river guide business.

"My career is over because I do guided trips to the state park," he said. "They (CBP) still have not had a single community meeting with the public at all."

Since news of border project plans broke in the Big Bend region, local leaders and residents have consistently complained about what they describe as a lack of communication and transparency from the federal government. 

That concern was among those listed in a letter from Sen. John Cornyn to Department of Homeland Security Sec. Markwayne Mullin. In that letter he praised DHS for historically low illegal border crossings, but outlined Big Bend residents' fears about construction projects and urged the agency to meet with Texas stakeholders directly.

"I'm glad Cornyn is doing what a true Texan should do," Angell said. "Stand up for the rights of landowners in the state, and stand up for the parks that are America's playground."

Local residents say they plan to continue fighting plans. Some business owners are even choosing to refuse service to anyone associated with the projects.

"Just because they've gotten started, doesn't mean we can't still stop it," Newman said.