Houston (AFP) – President Donald Trump's administration said Monday it had paused construction on a $1.7 billion border project at Big Bend National Park in Texas that has faced fierce local opposition across party lines.
The Department of Homeland Security plans to build vehicle barriers, patrol roads, lighting and detection technology across the park, known for its spectacular views and rich biodiversity, including hundreds of bird species, bobcats and black bears.
Bulldozers broke ground earlier this month on the public lands that blend desert, river and mountain ecosystems and are home to the famed Santa Elena Canyon.
An official map for the project shows a "technology and patrol road" would cross rugged territory -- including the Mariscal Mountain -- which critics say would require extensive dynamite blasting.
"Last night, I put a pause on all activity in that park as far as construction goes, until I get down there and do a personal evaluation," Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said in a short video posted Monday on X, adding he would talk with local stakeholders and that more updates would come this week.
The Trump administration has waived dozens of environmental laws to greenlight the project, which was awarded through a non-competitive process as part of the president's broader push to build an immense border wall with Mexico.
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So they first had to ravage the place some before they evtl. gave in. So typical. "Move fast and break things" might or might not apply to IT, but definitely not to a whole country.
Still a big win for the environment.
And one of many small wins against this government.
Let's grind the bastards down!
save