Marci and I had a meeting at our house with Bob Krumenaker, the previous park superintendent, and his like-minded friends, Ronny Dodson, our sheriff; Rick Harris, former NPS; Trey Hermann, graphic designer and former board member of BBC; Clif Ladd, wildlife biologist; Lynn Shackelford, ranch owner; and Tara and Joe Shackelford, Hidden Dagger Adventures. I (we) wanted to learn about what is really happening on our border.
Bob was in Washington, D.C. all week doing the thankless task of meeting with politicians and people that can possibly move the needle.
But it was Ronny Dodson, who has boots on the ground and really knows the most about what’s going on. He said the border is actually already secure. They have 240 working cameras, and if there is an illegal entry they are picked up on heat-sensing cameras and drones. Law enforcement just waits for them. The Trump administration has actually already secured our border. Lynn, who has a ranch very close to the river, said he used to get about one illegal entry a month and has not had one in four years.
While the Big Bend region makes up about 25% of the entire U.S.-Mexico border, only about 1% of all apprehensions for illegal entry are in the sector. Here are some real facts:
Here are some real facts:
1. There is not enough manpower to maintain and support a border wall.
2. We will no longer have dark skies.
3. It will have devastating consequences for the people who depend on tourism.
4. Bears, mountain lions and other migrating animals would no longer be in our national park.
5. The New York Times reported from DHS that in the 510 miles that make up our border, there are six apprehensions a day. A DHS estimate says it cost a very conservative 17 million dollars a mile to build a wall. For 510 miles, the cost would be $8,670,000,000. For six illegal entries a day, $2,190 a year. The cost of the wall for each illegal caught over a 20-year period would be $197,945 dollars. That is just for the wall itself. Not taking in maintenance or manpower to sustain it.
6. We would be losing the Rio Grande to Mexico. That more than anything is the true battle.
Fight for the Rio Grande to keep our American rights intact, and the wall goes away.
It is the lifeblood for hundreds of Americans. We need and depend on it.
Texans fought a war for this river.
Ronny said if he had a helicopter and pilot, and a Border Patrol station in Terlingua, that would be the best money spent, cost comparatively very little, and it’s done. If the sheriff’s department had its own helicopter, it could potentially save lives, if it could also be used in emergency situations.
From Candelaria to Del Rio, we do not need a border wall here.
It is a waste of money, manpower, and will ruin the Big Bend region.
Please do what you can to preserve this most beautiful national park.
Call Governor Abbot’s office:
Telephone (Office of the Governor): (512) 463-1782 or (800) 843-5789.
Email: greg.abbott@gov.texas.gov
Mailing Address: Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428.
Calls are much more effective than emails or letters.
—James Evans