Concerns Over Tourism Impact
Over 140 Texas outfitters and local businesses have raised alarms about the Trump administration’s plans to construct vehicle barriers and roads in Big Bend National Park. These barriers could significantly harm the region’s tourism economy. A letter sent to Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Governor Greg Abbott has urged them to prevent this ‘needless construction,’ which threatens one of Texas’s key recreational destinations.
Local business owner Billy Bartko emphasized the importance of Rio Grande access for West Texas’s survival, noting that the local economy relies heavily on tourism and outdoor activities.
Economic Stakes and Opposition
The Customs and Border Protection plans to install vehicle barriers follow a DHS decision to waive protections for faster construction. Businesses argue that these plans threaten the tourism economy based on the Rio Grande. Commercial outfitters and recreational visitors could lose access to key river points, jeopardizing tourism in Big Bend National Park.
In 2024, Big Bend welcomed 561,459 visitors, contributing approximately $56.8 million to local communities and generating $63.7 million in regional economic output. The outdoor recreation economy supports various local businesses, including lodging providers, restaurants, and retailers.
Local stakeholders, including all five sheriffs in Big Bend and Texas border county judges, have voiced opposition to the project, citing existing natural obstacles and surveillance infrastructure in the region.
Low Border Crossing Figures
Opponents highlight the low number of migrant encounters in the Big Bend Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border, which accounted for just 3,096 apprehensions in fiscal year 2025. The park’s apprehensions comprised merely 0.045 percent of total southwest border encounters.
Nonetheless, supporters of the project refer to the numerous migrants encountered in the sector over recent years and drug seizures to justify additional infrastructure.
Requests for Action
The letter calls on Cornyn, Cruz, and Abbott to take specific actions: prevent barriers from blocking Rio Grande access, amend border contracts to focus on technology, and urge DHS to rescind legal waivers for the project.
Businesses suggest expanding technologies like remote monitoring and aerial surveillance to enhance security without hindering river access.
Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River are our shared natural heritage. We are asking you, our elected representatives, to protect our livelihoods, our river, and one of our state’s most treasured landscapes from needless and permanent destruction.