U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin is expected to meet with county judges from the Big Bend region Wednesday afternoon to discuss proposed border wall projects, according to reporting by the Big Bend Sentinel.
Presidio County Judge Joe Portillo announced the meeting at the conclusion of a Presidio County Commissioners Court meeting Wednesday morning, the Sentinel reported. Portillo said the meeting with Mullin was scheduled for 3 p.m.
Portillo said he planned to update county officials following the meeting. It was not immediately clear which other county judges would participate.
The meeting comes amid continued debate over federal border barrier construction planned for portions of the Big Bend region, including areas near Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park.
According to the Sentinel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agreed Sept. 2 to pause construction through Sept. 30 on projects identified as BBT-2 and BBT-4 to allow additional public engagement and evaluation of potential impacts. The pause was disclosed by a federal judge in litigation brought by the People of La Junta Preservation and Far Flung Outdoor Center.
The BBT-2 project extends from the Ruidosa area toward Madera Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park.
BBT-4 includes portions of Big Bend National Park and extends east into the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River and Lower Canyons region.
The proposed construction has drawn increasing attention from residents, elected officials and conservation advocates concerned about its potential effects on public lands, wildlife, recreation and communities along the Rio Grande.
The Big Bend Sentinel reported that it was contacting county judges in areas affected by planned construction to determine who would attend Wednesday’s meeting.
