‘A Day of Infamy’: Construction Bulldozes Through Big Bend National Park

August 10, 2026

Bulldozers and heavy equipment have moved into Big Bend National Park as U.S. Customs and Border Protection begins work tied to a $1.7 billion border security contract awarded to Southwest Valley Constructors. Footage shows contractors clearing native vegetation and regrading roads along the Rio Grande’s riparian corridor near Santa Elena Canyon, which environmental groups say is damaging fragile habitat even if full barrier construction has not yet started.huffpost+3

The Department of Homeland Security waived dozens of federal environmental and historic-preservation laws to fast‑track the “Big Bend 4” project, which plans roughly 200 miles of patrol roads, about 17 miles of non‑contiguous vehicle barriers, and extensive surveillance technology across the park and surrounding public lands. CBP describes the current activity as preliminary survey access and soil sampling, but advocates warn it is the opening phase of the largest border‑wall construction effort ever undertaken inside a U.S. national park. Gear Junkie