Overview
- Federal parties told the court on Monday that the temporary pause on challenged Big Bend in‑park activities will run through Sept. 30 and stop all ground‑disturbing work in the paused areas.
- CBP said it may continue non‑ground‑disturbing actions such as real‑estate surveys, biological and cultural studies, and additional stakeholder consultations during the pause.
- Plaintiffs representing tribal members, local outfitters and preservation groups argue clearing and surveys block access to sacred sites and violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and related laws and have warned they will seek further restraining orders or an injunction if demands are not met by Sept. 30.
- The projects tied to the dispute are part of the broader Smart Wall plan and include patrol roads, detection systems and roughly 17 miles of four‑ to six‑foot vehicle barriers, with one task order linked to park work around $1.7 billion; CBP says it will not place 30‑foot bollard walls through Big Bend National Park.
- Local leaders, businesses and conservation advocates say the work threatens archaeology, wildlife habitat, river access and tourism, and the ultimate outcome now depends on ongoing court rulings, negotiated consultations and decisions about how much work may proceed outside the paused park areas.