
Episode #80
Big Bend National Park β What's Happening on the Ground and How to Help with Chris Keyes from RE:PUBLIC(Episode 80)
Send us Fan Mail Bulldozers just showed up inside Big Bend National Park. 28 environmental regulations waived. A $1.7 billion contract awarded to a subsidiary created specifically to protect its parent company's brand. Bipartisan local opposition from Republican sheriffs, judges, and the Republican congressional nominee for the district. And 1.3% β that's the share of overall US border crossings that happen in the Big Bend sector. Chris Keyes, executive director and founder of RE:PUBLIC β a publication dedicated to covering America's public lands β joins The Parks Podcast to break down exactly what's happening on the ground and what you can do about it. In this episode: β How it started: Kristi Noem's February announcement waiving 28 environmental regulations β The $1.7 billion Kiewit contract and the subsidiary created to protect their brand β Why the Big Bend sector isn't a high-priority immigration area (migration down 75% since 2023) β The Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and NEPA β all waived β Big Bend's dark skies designation and what surveillance road lighting would mean for it β Why local Republicans and Democrats are both opposed β and what a federal judge just ruled β What you can do: organizations to support, how to contact your representatives, why local pressure matters most β What's coming next: the Ambler Road in Alaska β 200 miles, 4,000 stream crossings, a foreign-owned mine Take action: Follow RE:PUBLIC at republic.land and sign up for their newsletter (twice a week) Support the Center for Biological Diversity and other organizations fighting this in court Call and write your senator, representative, and β if you're in Texas β your state officials Share this episode Support the show






