1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly oppose any proposal to pave River Road within or near Big Bend National Park in connection with border enforcement expansion or related infrastructure projects. My primary concerns are ecological, archaeological, historical, and land-use related. Big Bend is one of the most unique and fragile desert ecosystems in the United States. The region contains irreplaceable wildlife habitat, sensitive desert terrain, Indigenous and archaeological sites, historic landscapes, and wilderness areas whose value depends specifically on their remoteness and lack of development. Paving River Road would permanently alter the character of this landscape. Increased traffic, erosion, runoff, habitat fragmentation, noise, and pressure for further infrastructure expansion would damage a region that should remain protected in its natural state. Once wilderness is industrialized, it cannot truly be restored. River Road is also an important backcountry route used for primitive camping, overlanding, hiking, photography, research, and wilderness recreation. People travel to Big Bend precisely because it remains rugged, remote, and undeveloped. Not every public landscape should be transformed into an easily accessible paved corridor. I am also unconvinced that paving this road is necessary from a border enforcement perspective. The terrain itself is already harsh, remote, and difficult to traverse, which acts as a natural deterrent. In fact, creating easier vehicle access through a paved corridor could create unintended consequences by making movement through the region easier for everyone, not just law enforcement. If Customs and Border Protection requires vehicles capable of operating in rugged desert terrain, then the appropriate solution is to invest in equipment designed for that terrain — not permanently alter protected public lands for the convenience of standard road infrastructure. Given the scale of federal border enforcement funding, there is no justification for sacrificing irreplaceable wilderness and cultural resources rather than purchasing suitable vehicles and equipment. Big Bend belongs to the American people, and future generations deserve the opportunity to experience it as a wild and largely undeveloped landscape. Please oppose any proposal to pave River Road or expand infrastructure that would damage the ecological, historical, archaeological, and wilderness character of the region.