Big Bend National Park Poised for 6,100-Acre Expansion via Voluntary Land Deals

This legislation, the "Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act," gives the green light for the Secretary of the Interior to potentially add about 6,100 acres to Big Bend National Park in Texas. The expansion targets specific land parcels identified on a map dated November 2022 ("Big Bend National Park, Proposed Boundary Adjustment," numbered 155167,296). The core purpose is straightforward: to enlarge the park's footprint.

Growing the Park, Carefully

Here’s the key detail: the government can only acquire this land through donation or exchange, according to Section 3. The bill explicitly forbids using eminent domain or condemnation – meaning the feds can't force anyone to sell or give up their property for this expansion. This approach relies entirely on voluntary agreements with current landowners who own the targeted tracts adjacent to the park. If you own land marked for inclusion, the government might approach you about donating it or swapping it for other federal land, but they can't compel you to part with it.

Integrating the New Acres

Should any of these land deals go through, the acquired property officially becomes part of Big Bend National Park. The Secretary of the Interior will formally redraw the park's boundaries to include the new areas. From that point on, the added land will be managed just like the rest of the park, following all applicable National Park Service laws and regulations. This typically involves prioritizing conservation, managing resources, and potentially developing appropriate public access or recreational opportunities consistent with park standards.