Thank you to Sam Karas for her June 12, 2026 article, “‘We already lost it once’: Eminent domain returns to the Big Bend.”
When we first came to Big Bend National Park from Houston in the early 1980s, it was because a friend kept insisting we needed to do so. He was so right! We spent 3 weeks in the area, fell in love with the land, then fell in love with the people. It was magic. We returned as often as possible and bought our first piece of land in 1987, with a dream to live in Big Bend. Two years later, we made the big jump and started a new chapter in our lives. We’ve never looked back and know it was the best decision we ever made.
From childhood, I loved reading books about pioneers. When we moved here, I read every book I could find on the settlers in the area and marveled at their tenacity. I can only imagine how hard it was for them to have their land taken away by eminent domain and be forced to leave their homes. Who would have thought current landowners could find themselves in the same situation in 2026! The difference now, however, is that land is not being taken as part of “Texas’ gift to the nation,” but will be ceded to Mexico because of another vanity project of this administration.
This is not about border security. The sheriffs of five counties, along with county judges, agree that we already have a secure border using efficient modern technology, minimally invasive that does not destroy the beauty of the area or take away our access to the Rio Grande. Fortunately for us, our land is not subject to being taken away by eminent domain. For those whose land is in jeopardy, I hope you will read all of Sam’s article and do as Maggie Smith would have said, “Dig in and fight.” The majority of your community is doing everything in our power to keep this from happening.
For a small minority of the community who have decided to assist in the destruction of our way of life by enabling those coming here to try to build this unpopular wall, I don’t know your circumstances and I cannot see into your heart. I can only hope that you have assessed the long-term damage that will be done, not only to your community, but to yourself as well. Selling aggregate, clearing land for a man camp, comes with a price. In the end, it will be between you and your creator.
Barbara Hines
Terlingua
The following is an open letter to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin Texas 78744
The Honorable Paul Foster
The Honorable Oliver J. Bell
The Honorable Wm. Leslie Doggett
The Honorable Ann B. Galo
The Honorable John A. McCall Jr. O.D.
The Honorable Robert L. “Bobby” Patton Jr
The Honorable Travis B. “Blake” Rowling
The Honorable Dick Scott
The Honorable Timothy “Tim” Timmerman
The Honorable Lee Marshal Bass
The Honorable T. Dan Friedkin
My name is David Long. I was part of the TPWD Team for 21 years from 1996 to 2017. All of that time I spent at Big Bend Ranch State Park working along the river corridor. Times were not easy. A brand new park, the largest park Texas had ever attempted to manage, no money and no staff. Continuous budget cuts and high turnover because of low wages made it hard. Those that stayed pulled off what seemed to be impossible. We created a park with little or no resources.
Now Big Bend Ranch State Park is one of the crown jewels of the Texas State Park System and the only true wilderness park in the system. I poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into protecting a land that is unique in its natural beauty, cultural and historical significance, its archaeology, geology, unique flora and fauna, and its river.
What I once thought would be protected for the people of Texas for generations is now being threatened to be bulldozed. When I first started working for the park’s system our mission statement was simple, “ to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” According to TPWD’s web site this is still the mission of TPWD, its commissioners and employees. Has this mission been swept under the rug? The US CBP, so called “smart wall” is planning to cut into the BBRSP for about 10 miles. From the west las Burras Loop to the Colorado Canyon put-in. Although this tends to keep changing as to where the 30’ wall will stop and start again. There are 43 miles of State Park land that is in danger of being destroyed along the river. Everything along the river corridor is considered an archaeological site. Only about 10% of the sites have been studied and recorded. The wall will cut off the public from the Arenosa Campground and the very popular Hoo Doo’s hiking trail, not to mention the several access points for river runners. Along most of this route the River road runs parallel and within sight of the river. Surveillance is an easy task, no need for a wall.
Big Bend State Park is not the only State Park, Wildlife Management Area, or Natural Area that will be affected or has been affected by the Border wall. Seminole Canyon SP & HS, Falcon SP,
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP, Resaca de la Palma SP; Black Gap WMA; Las Palomas WMA (Anacua Unit, Harlingan and Ocotillo Unit, (Closed) Ruidosa).
In the TPW Commissioners Policies, the Preface of the manual specifically states; In fulfilling our mission, TPWD will:
- serve Texans, visitors, and our employees with the highest standards of service, professionalism, fairness, courtesy, and respect
- rely on the best available science to guide our conservation decisions.
This brings into question, why is TPWD being so quiet about the border wall, why have they not spoken up against the planned and willful destruction of our public lands and resources? I was always under the impression that TPWD is not the owner /master of these parks and public lands but are the caretakers and protectors of these precious public lands that belong to all of us.
CP-003: Responsibilities of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
The Commission shall adhere to the following guidelines:
- The Commission should exercise its responsibility of explaining TPWD to the public, outlining its programs and policies and defending its actions.
- The Commission shall be responsible for preserving and conserving the resources of the State while preventing depletion and waste of those resources. This will necessitate giving biological data precedence over economic and political considerations.
CP-008: Protection, Conservation, and Management of Natural and Cultural Resources General Policy Statement
It shall be the policy of the Commission that TPWD activities be conducted, and TPWD facilities
be managed, using sound principles of natural and cultural resource management in order to protect, conserve, and provide for the wise use and enjoyment of the state’s resources. These management principles shall be consistent with other TPWD objectives and legal obligations. Further, TPWD will serve as a model of compliance with the letter and spirit of natural and cultural resource laws and regulations.
When conducting TPWD activities and managing TPWD facilities, the following areas of responsibility will be considered.
Natural and Cultural Resource Review
Internal TPWD resource review processes will be implemented to apply to permits and grant applications received or submitted by TPWD; major planning and management initiatives developed by TPWD; major construction and renovation projects undertaken by TPWD; and any departmental activity potentially affecting endangered resources. TPWD divisions will develop review processes to ensure TPWD actions are consistent with natural and cultural resource
laws and with recommendations made by TPWD on projects proposed by other regulated entities.
The Executive Director is specifically directed to institute measures to ensure accountability for compliance with this policy, and may direct as appropriate, periodic audits for all TPWD programs and activities.
Public Outreach
As part of the review processes and/or in order to encourage public awareness of conservation principles, TPWD will distribute informational materials, develop programs, and provide other opportunities to engage with the public about TPWD’s conservation activities and the importance thereof to the public. The Executive Director shall authorize staff to implement efforts to educate the public about the value and importance of natural communities, cultural use of the natural environment, biodiversity, ecological principles, and natural and cultural resource management.
In conclusion I am asking that the Commissioners discuss DHS Border Barrier System through the Big Bend Ranch State Park and other border lying Parks and demand from all border wall contractors a full accounting of the infrastructure planned to include mitigation of the archeological sites, environmental sensitive zones, and recreational use areas at the August, Annual Public Commissioners Meeting. The urgency of this request should not be tabled for a later date construction has already begun in the Big Bend Region and what we are about to lose we will never be able to regain.
David F. Long
Shafter
And for everyone that has enjoyed the natural wonders and wilderness of s State Park please reach out to the commissioners and ask them to do their job, “to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
