DHS has waived 28 federal laws to expedite a steel bollard border wall through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
112 miles of pristine public land. Thousands of years of wildlife corridors. Internationally protected dark skies. All at risk.
What's at Stake
The proposed wall doesn't just draw a line on a map. It permanently destroys ecosystems, cultural heritage, and public access to some of America's most treasured landscapes.
Wildlife Corridors Severed
Mountain lions, Mexican black bears, and dozens of migratory species depend on unbroken corridors across the Rio Grande. A steel bollard wall would permanently block thousands of years of natural migration routes.
Sacred Landscapes Industrialized
Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend Hot Springs, the Hoodoos & Balanced Rock Trail — iconic landmarks that draw visitors from around the world would be closed or permanently scarred by wall construction and access roads.
Dark Skies Under Threat
Big Bend holds an International Dark Sky Association designation. The proposed "Smart Wall" infrastructure — surveillance towers, lighting systems, and sensor arrays — would permanently degrade one of the last pristine night skies in North America.
Construction Timeline
The wall is not a distant threat. It is being actively planned, contracted, and built right now.
28 Federal Laws Waived
DHS publishes waivers in the Federal Register, bypassing the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and 25 other environmental and cultural protection laws to expedite "Smart Wall" and physical barrier construction.
Maps Updated to "Primary Wall"
CBP updates project maps, reclassifying the Big Bend corridor from surveillance-only to "Primary Wall" — confirming steel bollard barrier construction through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Parsons Govt Services Awarded Contract
Parsons Government Services takes the construction contract for the "Big Bend 4" project: 112 miles from Santa Elena Canyon moving east past Rio Grande Village, plus 175 miles from Fort Quitman to Colorado Canyon.
Target Completion
If unchallenged, construction is slated for completion by early 2028. By then, the damage to ecosystems, cultural sites, dark skies, and public access will be irreversible. The time to act is now.
Sign the Petition
Add your name to the growing list of Americans demanding protection for Big Bend.
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Sign the Change.org PetitionTake Action
Call, write, and email these lawmakers. Your voice is the most powerful tool we have to stop this wall.
Pre-Written Letter
Copy this letter, personalize it, and send it to the lawmakers above. Replace the bracketed fields with your information.
Dear [Representative's Name], I am writing to you today with profound urgency regarding the expedited construction of a physical border wall and "Smart Wall" infrastructure through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. The decision by DHS to waive 28 federal laws—including the Native American Graves Protection and Reperation Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the Endangered Species Act—is unacceptable. The proposed 112-mile "Big Bend 4" project near Santa Elena Canyon and the 175-mile stretch through Colorado Canyon will irreparably destroy thousands of years of cultural history, sever critical wildlife corridors, and ruin the internationally protected dark skies of Far West Texas. Big Bend's harsh terrain already serves as a natural barrier. Industrializing this pristine landscape will decimate the local tourism economy and permanently scar our state's most iconic public lands. I urge you to immediately intervene, demand transparency, and halt the physical wall construction in the Big Bend region. Our public lands are not expendable. Sincerely, [My Name] [My Zip Code]
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