Issues

Economic Stimulus Money for Big Bend National Park Curious to know who is getting economic stimulus money?  Look no further than Big Bend!  The park will be receiving $1.121 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    These dollars are assigned to three specific projects:   1)  Infrastructure repair necessitated by last fall's major flooding event in the park  2)  Trail improvements meant to increase visitor safety and enjoyment  3)  Rehabilitation of aging housing for park employees.  Our thanks to the many citizens who contacted their Congressional representative on behalf of the park.  These funds will make a major difference to the park, its employees and the visitors who enjoy our Texas treasure along the banks of the Rio Grande. 2009 Agenda Friends of Big Bend is actively working on two legislative issues during 2009.  They are the extension of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic river and making permanent the park's wilderness designations.  You can read more about these two items and find out the most recent happenings by checking the Action Alert section of our website.  You will also find out how to join our Action Alert team. In addition to this year's two action items, there are other issues of importance to the park that we monitor.  These issues are listed below, with the most current updates related to how these topics impact the park.  An International Peace Park:  Since its inception, the Friends of Big Bend National Park have been supportive of the International Peace Park idea.  In the 1990's Friends of Big Bend National Park and the World Wildlife Fund sponsored a meeting of governmental officials, Rotary International, Sul Ross State University, other non-governmental organizations, and protected area managers from both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border.  They agreed jointly to identify major common needs and to develop a joint approach to protecting the area in concert with one another.  This coorperation was slowed when the border closed after the events of 9/11.  However recent activity by both the Obama Administration and Congressman Ciro Rodriguez gives supporters of this effort hope that the creation of an international peace park along the Texas/Mexico border is on the horizon.  You can see the recent press release from the Dept. of the Interior regarding cross-border conservation cooperation by clicking here. You may view Congressman Rodriguez's resolution regarding an international peace park here, which was introduced in August 2009. For historical information, photos and maps on the international peace park subject check out the website http://www.iloveparks.com/peaceparks/. Friends of Big Bend celebrates both of these recent actions, and will be updating this page as news on this subject progresses. The Centennial Challenge: Friends of Big Bend National Park enthusiastically supports the Centennial Challenge legislation making its way through Congress at this time.  Changes have been made to the Centennial legislation, and the monies are currently being debated in the conference of the appropriations bill.  Stay tuned to find out more about this exciting opportunity for increased funding for the parks.  This bill is critical to getting major projects done in parks across the country, and could mean new trails, an orientation film, an auditorium and new exhibits for Big Bend. Posted October 7, 2009 Statement on the Christmas Mountains: Friends of Big Bend National Park has sent a letter to Commissioner Patterson in 2008 stating our support of Big Bend National Park’s request that the sale of the Christmas Mountains be delayed at this time.  Originally the Conservation Fund intended for this property to be a part of the park. Big Bend National Park is now in a position to manage this land. This area would be an outstanding addition to the park which is a treasure given by the people of the State of Texas to the National Park Service and the citizens of the United States. The Friends of Big Bend National Park Board of Directors’ position is that expanding the borders of Big Bend National Park and preserving the land under the stewardship of the National Park Service would be beneficial to the State of Texas. We hope that the Commissioner will keep in mind the intent of the Conservation Fund’s donation of the Christmas Mountains property. For the latest information on this issue, please check the website for the School Land Board at www.glo.state.tx.us/about/landboard.html. Posted Oct. 29, 2007. Addendum Nov. 9, 2007.