More than 130 conservation groups, outdoor recreation businesses and rural Texas organizations are urging Congress to block federal funding for border wall construction through Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
In a letter sent to lawmakers, the coalition asked Congress to include language in the upcoming Homeland Security appropriations bill that would prohibit funding for wall construction in the two parks along the Rio Grande.
Advocates say a border wall through the region would cut off public access to the river, damage wildlife habitat and threaten the outdoor recreation economy that supports many businesses in Far West Texas. Outfitters and tourism operators in the Big Bend area rely heavily on river trips, hiking and wildlife viewing that draw visitors from around the world.
The request comes after the Department of Homeland Security in February waived dozens of environmental and cultural protection laws to accelerate border barrier construction in the Big Bend region. The agency has since awarded construction contracts for portions of the area, and reports indicate surveying activity has occurred inside Big Bend National Park.
Planning maps released by DHS earlier this year showed border wall segments along accessible stretches of the Rio Grande in both parks. Revised maps later removed physical wall segments from the national park and replaced them with detection technology while retaining plans for barriers across parts of Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Federal officials have said border infrastructure plans remain under development.
Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park together protect more than 1.1 million acres of public land along the Rio Grande, including stretches designated as a Wild and Scenic River. The parks are a major driver of tourism in the region.
According to National Park Service data, Big Bend National Park recorded 561,459 visitors in 2024, generating about $56.8 million in spending in nearby communities and supporting jobs and businesses across Brewster County and surrounding areas.
