Top Story
Protecting New Mexico’s last wild river
Advocates resist plan to drain and divert the Gila
Carving
its way through 650 miles of America’s first designated wilderness
area, the Gila River is New Mexico’s last free-flowing river.
Unfortunately, the Gila—and all the life it supports—is threatened.
Decision-makers continue to eye the river for development projects that
would drain and divert its waters.
The Gila River supports an
important and precious ecosystem, providing habitat to mountain lions,
fox, lizards, coyotes, elk, bear and other wildlife. The Gila offers
abundant fishing, hiking, educational and recreational opportunities,
along with a wealth of natural hot springs, attracting tourists from
across the state and country. And with its pictographs and cliff
dwellings, the region is also a link to New Mexico’s cultural past.
Advocating a “no diversion” policy
In
2004, the Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA) settled long-standing
water rights claims in Arizona and allowed New Mexico to use 14,000
acre-feet per year of Gila River water. The act also allocated federal
funds to New Mexico for future water projects on the Gila River, such
as a large-scale, environmentally destructive river diversion project.
“New
water development projects on the Gila would be economically and
environmentally disastrous. The federal subsidy is estimated to cover
only about 43 percent of its costs; New Mexico’s taxpayers would have
to pick up the rest. Not to mention the damage the project would cause
to the river’s ecosystem and local tourism,” said Environment New
Mexico’s Randall Coleman.
Environment New Mexico is working with
the Gila Conservation Coalition, the Center for Biological Diversity,
the Nature Conservancy and others to prevent large development projects
and maintain a healthy river ecosystem.
“The AWSA provides up to
$66 million for projects that wouldn’t damage the river. We could be
using this money to improve municipal conservation, increase irrigation
efficiency, buy water rights, or a host of other practical measures
that would meet the region’s water needs and conserve the Gila River.
Long-term, the Gila deserves permanent protection,” said Coleman.
