West Texas is one of the most beautiful and remote regions of Texas. Its remoteness is a boon to local wildlife, and to the regions economy, which is largely based on tourism. It is the home of the Big Bend National Park and the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, as well as many state parks, all of which draw many tourists to the region, who come to enjoy the remote sanctity and natural beauty of West Texas. Its light pollution free, dark skies led to the construction of the McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, and the appeal of the region's dark skies has attracted stargazers across the nation, further boosting the region's tourist economy.

This natural beauty and peace is being threatened by the 42" Waha-Presidio Texas to Ojinaga-El Encino Mexico Pipeline. It is larger than the famed Keystone XL Pipeline, which is 36". The pipeline threatens the natural environment of the region with fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats in the region. The visual blight created by the pipeline will negatively affect the region's tourist-based economy. Leaks from the pipeline could affect the water quality of the region, as well as the air quality. In addition, development could negatively impact archeological sites in the region.

Compression stations, placed every 30 miles along the pipeline's path could increase visual blight, further impacting the tourist based economy of West Texas, and risks of leaks and air emissions of toxic chemicals from the compression stations further threaten the environment and safety of the region. The compression stations will be a significant source of light pollution, ruining the dark skies that are so crucial to the McDonald Observatory and the many stargazers that travel to the region to enjoy the dark skies and help the local economy.

The pipeline also opens the possibility of additional industrial development in the region, which could further impact the environment, public safety, economy, and dark skies of the region. We, the signatories of this petition, ask any and/or all governmental institutions (including the State of Texas and the Obama Administration) with the authority to stop this pipeline from proceeding to immediately do so, and save West Texas from this threat to the environment, dark skies, public safety, and economy of this region.