Presidio Mayor John Ferguson says plans to cancel construction of a border wall through Big Bend National Park do not necessarily mean the project has been halted elsewhere in the region.
In a recent social media post, Ferguson said Presidio County remains “still slated” to see sections of border wall constructed along the Rio Grande, raising concerns about the potential effects on landscapes, tourism and historic communities along the Texas–Mexico border.
Ferguson welcomed reports that the Department of Homeland Security had reconsidered placing a wall within Big Bend National Park, but cautioned that other nearby areas could still be impacted.
“What would a wall affect in Presidio County?” Ferguson wrote before listing several locations he said could face consequences if construction proceeds.
Among the areas he highlighted were Chispa Road in northwestern Presidio County, which he described as containing some of the county’s most “breathtaking and unspoiled wilderness,” and the Chinati Mountains State Natural Area, where visitors currently experience sweeping views of the Rio Grande and Mexico.
Ferguson also noted that wall construction could affect the drainage areas of Cibolo Creek and Alamito Creek as they flow into the Rio Grande near Presidio.
The mayor said the barrier could also disrupt the historic relationship between the border communities of Presidio, Texas, and Ojinaga, Chihuahua — two cities that have long functioned as a closely connected binational community.
He further warned of potential impacts to Camino del Río, the scenic drive along the Rio Grande between Presidio and Lajitas that is widely considered one of the most striking routes in Texas.
Additional areas Ferguson said could be affected include Big Bend Ranch State Park and river recreation businesses that operate rafting and floating trips through Colorado Canyon and along the Rio Grande toward Lajitas.
“There are undoubtedly many other good reasons I left out to say ‘No’ to a border wall in Presidio County,” Ferguson wrote, urging residents and supporters to continue advocating against the project.
“As interest grows in exploring Far West Texas, we need to preserve every inch, to that end, for future generations,” he added.
Federal officials have not announced final construction plans for the Presidio County portion of the border wall. However, the region’s rugged terrain, public lands and scenic tourism economy have made it a focal point in ongoing debates over border infrastructure in the Big Bend region.
