AUSTIN, Texas — A show of force came to Austin Wednesday as Texans from across the state urged the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to help keep border barriers out of Big Bend National Park.

Ninety-nine people signed up to speak before the commission at its annual public hearing, with many calling on state leaders to protect the rugged West Texas landscape from border barrier construction.

The commission took no action on Wednesday. The hearing was an opportunity for the public to address commissioners directly.

Commission Chairman Paul Foster told the crowd that he and other commissioners generally agree with those who do not want a border barrier built through Big Bend. He also said the commission is talking with the governor’s office about the issue.

The comments were welcome news to those who testified, but several speakers said they want action, not just assurances.

“Big Bend is rough, it’s rural, it’s rugged, and that’s where you can go to feel like a Texan,” said Diana Sims, who spoke at the public hearing.

Sims said the land belongs to Texans and that public input is critical as state and federal officials make decisions about the border.

“That land belongs to all of us. This is our only chance to tell the people who make those choices how we think they should use it,” Sims said.

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People arriving at the hearing carried signs reading “Don’t Mess with Big Bend” and “No Wall.”

Their concerns come as the immediate threat of construction has eased. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said construction in the park has been temporarily halted while he evaluates the site.

“I put a pause on all activity in that park, as far as construction goes, until I can get down there and do a personal evaluation,” Scott said in a social media video earlier this week.

But opponents say a temporary pause is not the same as permanent protection.

Dave Cortez, director of the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, said the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has some authority to influence how construction-related activity is handled on state land.

“Parks and Wildlife can require these entities to locate in other areas, to stage in other areas outside of the state park. They can ask for mitigation,” Cortez said. “And overall, we just want them to hear that Texans don’t want this.”

For those who traveled to Austin, the concern is that changes to the landscape could be difficult or impossible to reverse.

“This is our only chance we have to stop it,” Sims said. “Once the damage is done, there is no undoing it.”

With no action taken Wednesday, those fighting to protect Big Bend are now in a wait-and-see mode. They are waiting to see what happens after federal reviews and whether state leaders take additional steps to keep border barrier construction out of the park.

The debate is likely to continue as federal and state officials weigh the future of border infrastructure in one of Texas’ most remote and iconic landscapes.