Trump Administration Bypasses Environmental Laws for Border Projects in Big Bend Region

The Trump administration is bypassing federal environmental laws to hasten border barrier projects in West Texas, specifically in and around Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. A new waiver will apply to over 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border in the region. Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated that the administration is bypassing various laws "to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads" along the southern border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to install a mix of vehicle barriers, surveillance technology, and patrol road upgrades in the parks, dubbed the "Big Bend 4" project. This move comes despite a letter from six former superintendents of Big Bend National Park urging Mullin not to bypass these laws. Advocates like the Center for Biological Diversity have expressed concern and pledged to fight the new waiver.