U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott visited Big Bend National Park on Wednesday morning, traveling by helicopter to the Santa Elena Canyon area as the agency reviews controversial border infrastructure work inside the park.
Basecamp Terlingua shared video and an eyewitness account of Scott’s visit, saying his helicopter initially landed at the Santa Elena Canyon overlook, where he met with a group of people for about an hour.
According to Basecamp Terlingua, Scott then traveled by vehicle from the overlook to the entrance of Santa Elena Canyon. Public access to the area was restricted during the visit, the group said.
Scott and those accompanying him remained in the canyon area for about 90 minutes before leaving. Video shared by Basecamp Terlingua shows a convoy departing the canyon, with the group identifying Scott as a passenger in the second SUV.
The helicopter later departed the area and flew upriver through Santa Elena Canyon toward Lajitas, according to the eyewitness account.
The visit comes after Scott announced a temporary pause on border infrastructure activity within Big Bend National Park while CBP evaluates the work and hears concerns from local officials and residents.
Scott met with local officials Tuesday and said he planned to personally visit the park Wednesday before determining how the project would proceed.
The controversy centers on federal plans for border infrastructure and extensive road work along the Rio Grande in the Big Bend region. The prospect of construction inside one of the nation’s most remote national parks has generated opposition from residents, conservation advocates and elected officials from both parties.
Santa Elena Canyon is among Big Bend National Park’s best-known landmarks, where the Rio Grande cuts between towering limestone walls along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Basecamp Terlingua has been documenting activity associated with the project and shared Wednesday’s video as Scott conducted his on-the-ground review.
CBP has not yet announced what changes, if any, will result from Scott’s visit or when the agency’s review will be completed.
