U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott met Tuesday with local officials and other stakeholders to discuss border security projects in Big Bend National Park, following his earlier decision to pause work in the park.
Scott said the meeting included sheriffs, county judges and representatives of federal and state elected officials. Photos released by Scott show officials gathered at the U.S. Border Patrol’s Big Bend Sector headquarters and examining maps of the region.
“I just met with local stakeholders — including sheriffs, county judges, and representatives of federal and state elected officials — to discuss border security projects in Big Bend National Park,” Scott wrote on social media.
Scott had already announced a pause on activity in Big Bend National Park before Tuesday’s meeting amid growing concern over the scope and potential effects of border construction in the park.
Following Tuesday’s discussions, Scott said the pause would continue while federal officials consider recommendations from local stakeholders.
“It was a productive conversation, and I committed to a pause so those conversations can continue,” Scott wrote.
Scott said he will travel to Big Bend National Park on Wednesday to examine the area and compare suggestions from local officials and other stakeholders with previously developed federal plans.
“Tomorrow I will be down in the park to compare some of their suggestions to our previous plans,” Scott said.
The meeting comes amid heightened scrutiny of federal border security work in and around Big Bend National Park. Construction equipment and related activity in the park have raised concerns among residents, elected officials and park advocates about potential effects on the landscape, archaeological resources and culturally significant sites.
Scott has said a 30-foot pedestrian border wall is not planned inside Big Bend National Park, although federal plans have included other border infrastructure, including vehicle barriers and improvements to roads used for border enforcement.
Tuesday’s meeting marks the latest step in discussions over how those projects could proceed. Scott’s planned visit Wednesday will bring the CBP commissioner directly into the park as federal officials reconsider previously developed plans in light of local recommendations.
Scott did not announce a date for the paused work to resume or specify Tuesday what changes, if any, could be made to the existing plans.
