1. United States
2. Letter

You have spoken many times about restoring America’s greatness, taking pride in our country, and making America more beautiful. You have emphasized that our nation should reflect the strength, beauty, and greatness of the American people. That is why I am asking you to reconsider the planned destruction of habitat in Big Bend National Park through the proposed construction of a new CBP road across Mariscal Mountain and along the rim of Mariscal Canyon. If America is worth making more beautiful, then every part of America deserves that commitment—not just the places that receive the most attention. Big Bend is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the United States. Its mountains, canyons, desert, and wildlife are every bit as much a part of America’s heritage as Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the monuments in Washington, D.C. The Mariscal Canyon area contains one of the most important Peregrine Falcon nesting sites in Texas. These remarkable birds return to the same cliffs year after year to raise their young. Blasting and heavy construction near those nesting sites could cause lasting harm to one of the state’s most significant Peregrine populations. The area is also home to sensitive wildlife, including numerous bat species and the federally endangered Mexican long-nosed bat. These animals are part of a fragile ecosystem that has survived because this landscape has remained largely undisturbed. There is also a practical question that deserves an answer: why is this level of environmental destruction necessary if existing roads can serve the same security purpose? Border security and conservation do not have to be opposing goals. America is capable of protecting its borders while also protecting its natural treasures. One of the marks of great leadership is leaving behind something that future generations will admire rather than regret. The cliffs of Mariscal Canyon, the Peregrine Falcons that have nested there for generations, and the wildlife that depends on this landscape cannot simply be rebuilt once they are lost. Many Americans also believe that caring for the natural world is a moral responsibility. Scripture begins by giving humanity responsibility for creation—not permission to needlessly destroy it. Stewardship means protecting what has been entrusted to us whenever there is a reasonable alternative. If your vision is to make America more beautiful, then that vision should include America’s deserts, rivers, mountains, and wildlife as much as its cities and monuments. Big Bend is part of the American story. Once its unique habitats are damaged, they cannot truly be restored. I respectfully ask you to direct your administration to reconsider this project, require a thorough review of less destructive alternatives, and ensure that Big Bend National Park is preserved for future generations of Americans. The greatest legacy is not only what we build. It is also what we choose to protect.