Texas Rivers Protection Association

05/22/2026

Border Wall:

As I have reported in the past, there seems to be no cohesive, coherent, or factually correct answer on the border wall.

The latest:

https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2026-05-21/former-big-bend-national-park-superintendents-express-grave-concerns-about-trump-administrations-border-plans?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR8isZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEec7mAkfVddtTIdM3DPbsWSuY0utcU8wYamJ69-wLOV-gBN406ekJ9L-RI5qY_aem_pktf_PvYmdZeqgs-f__kxw

The former superintendents sent a letter Thursday to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, describing the administration’s plan for new border barriers, roads and surveillance technology in the park as “unnecessary and highly destructive.” The group is urging Mullin not to bypass feder...

05/19/2026

Border Wall mess continues, with contract awarded one week after Public was told there was to be no wall in Big Bend.

The contract comes just a week after Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said the agency would not build a wall in Big Bend National Park.

05/14/2026

Border Wall update:

There is still no cohesive, official written plan for the border wall issues in the Big Bend region.

Below is a link on some of the situation.

An RV Camper enters Big Bend National Park. Questions have swirled about how the park will be affected by the White House's plans for a border wall. Plans

05/13/2026

Find a cleanup

https://www.trashfreegulf.com/find-a-cleanup-1?fbclid=IwVERDUARwuDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5il9kmDQis6tKzT-Z2zggGIWW7tsE9LZBSht34t-lTK5224H5snSJ7kXF5nw_aem_QhaI286eikXDGDbQaSHImA

Discover local cleanup events across Texas to help remove litter, protect wildlife, and keep waterways and parks clean and accessible.

05/06/2026

TCEQ Proposed Rules

The TCEQ currently has proposed rules for the application of wastewater to lands, for wastewater produced in the oil and gas industry.

The link is below. Scroll to the section "Land Application of Produced Water"

OF NOTE:

Public Comments on Rule 2026-006-309-OW are open 5/15 to 6/15/2026.

These Rules affect 30 TAC Chapter 210, and 30 TAC Chapter 309. This Rule amended the Texas Water Code, specifically Section 26.131.

These are as a result of SB 1145, which transferred permitting authority TO the TCEQ for land application of produced waste water - both municipal AND Industrial. This previously had been under the purview of the Texas Railroad Commission.

More detail on this in future posts.

This page is where information is posted about new rulemaking items. Items will remain on this page for 30 days.

04/28/2026

Border Wall update April 28, 2026.

As many of you know, local and regional politicians and businesses in the area, have been unanimous in their opposition to a physical border wall in the Big Bend region. This includes areas, west of the Big Bend State Park, all the way down the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. This includes all of Big Bend National Park, and Black Gap Wildlife Refuge.

CBP had posted changes on their “Smart Wall” link, showing that there would be no physical wall.

That map has now disappeared from their website, previously available here:

https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/smart-wall-map

(Link no longer works).

What does this mean?

In the area, there appears to have been contracts that has been let/awarded for portions of the wall. Three very large contracts were awarded to various companies for walls in the region, but information has been relatively hard to come by. 

As many know, Former Administrator Noem side-stepped a multitude of required regulations and an attempt to get the portions of wall done, with little oversight.

It is extremely important that this issue should be continually be revisited. There are reports road built for construction companies down some of the area near Terlingua.

The “announcements” by CBP and HS have been all over the place. Their own website has not been a good source of factual or timely information.

Keep up pressure with your political officials.

Securing America's Borders

04/28/2026

Following the tragic Guadalupe flood, a coalition of landowners, volunteers, and organizations launched a bold effort to restore their cherished river. “Hope for the Guadalupe” bears witness to the heartbreaking disaster and showcases the conservationists working to replant native trees, spread grasses and forbs, and bring peace and beauty to a beleaguered river.

We will be hosting benefit screenings with Q&As in Austin (5/12), Kerrville (5/14), San Antonio 5/15), Dallas (5/19), and Houston (5/21), with a live performance from at our Kerrville screening. Proceeds from the screening will benefit river restoration efforts. Additional community screenings will be announced soon, followed by a digital and broadcast release in June.

🎟️ Tickets are available through the links below:
Austin: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11th-annual-water-texas-film-festival-tickets-1985395787245?aff=oddtdtcreator
Kerrville: https://www.showpass.com/hope-for-the-guadalupe-the-river-will-heal/
San Antonio: https://sabgtx.org/event/hope-for-the-guadalupe/
Dallas: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hope-for-the-guadalupe-benefit-screening-tickets-1987543034720
Houston: Tickets coming soon!

This inspiring film was made in partnership with The Community Foundation, Hill Country Alliance, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Kerr County River Foundation, Texas Water Foundation, American Rivers, Hunt Preservation Society, Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, Fin and Fur Films, Upper Guadalupe River Authority.

Please join us for these special nights of remembrance and hope. If you’re unable to attend, please consider making a donation to river recovery efforts through the “Hope for the Guadalupe” fund that will support the Hill Country Alliance, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, the Kerr County River Foundation, and the Hunt Preservation Society. Link in bio to donate 🎁

On behalf of the film team and partnering organizations, we’d like to extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

04/27/2026

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/04/21/texas-tesla-lithium-battery-plant-pollution-tceq-robstown-drainage/

The drainage district that commissioned the testing has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company, which says it is in compliance with all requirements for its state wastewater discharge permit.

04/24/2026

Arrest made over illegal dumping into the Trinity River.

Texas’ biggest illegal riverine dumping site in recent memory has finally gotten into the crosshairs of law enforcement following the arrest of a previously convicted felon in Dallas, whom complainants, including the Texas Rivers Protection Association, had been warning regulators about for months – others, for years.

Featured photo of the illegal Trinity River dump by Angela Piazza/The Dallas Morning News. See our blog post on the matter linked below in the comments.