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Rodney Scott pauses construction in Big Bend National Park for personal evaluation

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott has ordered a temporary pause on all construction activity within Big Bend National Park to conduct a personal, on-the-ground evaluation. The move comes as the administration faces mounting public outcry and multiple lawsuits regarding the plan to build new patrol roads and 17 miles of steel vehicle barriers. While the administration waived several environmental laws to facilitate the project, critics argue the construction threatens the park's natural landscape and archaeological sites. Rodney Scott noted that the agency remains committed to security while seeking to protect national treasures. The pause allows for a closer look at the terrain and a chance to listen to local leadership and community stakeholders. This decision follows months of pressure from activists and local officials who expressed concern over the irreversible destruction of the park's remote regions. The administration continues to pursue the border wall project in the greater Big Bend region despite these concerns.

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