Picture
a place where over 300 species of bird have been recorded;
where streamside habitat supports wildlife ranging from the
reclusive mountain lion to the threatened loach minnow, and
where no large dams impede the natural flow of waters. Sound
like Shangri La? It is, and it's Southwest New Mexico's Gila
River. The Gila ("Hee-la") is one of the last wild,
free-flowing rivers in the Southwest, and we all benefit from
it staying that way. Consider not just the amazing ecological
treasures nurtured by the Gila, but its recreational, educational
and historical values.
OPPORTUNITIES
TO PLAY AND LEARN
Ever dream about exploring where few have gone before? The
Gila's headwaters, protected as America's
first wilderness area by the legendary naturalist and
outdoorsman Aldo Leopold,
comprise one of the largest roadless areas in the lower 48
States. How about fishing in the quiet shade of gigantic cottonwood
and sycamore trees? Or rafting beneath sheer hoodoos and through
lush riparian vegetation? Birders can observe the variety
of the Gila's riparian birds, such as the endangered southwestern
willow flycatcher. Scientists study the river's flows and
ecological functions. The Gila is a precious gem.
A
WEALTH OF HISTORY
The Gila River is a witness to history. Gunslingers, cowboys
and outlaws holed up along the river's banks. Geronimo, fierce
defender of his Apache homeland, was born at the headwaters
of the Gila. Before the nomadic Apaches, cliff-dwellers built
their homes in the Gila's tributary canyons; shards of their
pottery, the pieces of their lives, still abound. Close your
eyes, listen to the river: the voices of those who have come
before can still be heard.
For
more information, visit the links below:
The
Nature Conservancy, Gila Riparian Preserve
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Silver City Museum
THREATS
TO THE GILA RIVER
People have used the Gila River for thousands of years, but
more recently, downstream cities in Arizona along with mining
and agricultural interests, intend to take more than the river
can give. Imperiled fish, birds and other wildlife need the
river's water too, as do people who find solace and refreshment
in fishing, birding, rafting and hiking. Bureaucrats and politicians
continue to eye this last wild Southwest river for water "development"
projects, such as dams and diversions.
Already the river now fails to flow all the way to the Colorado,
as it once did, because of excessive water use in Arizona.
Friends of the free-flowing Gila have thwarted several ill-advised
projects in the past. In the 1970s, plans for the Hooker Dam
failed to pass muster because the reservoir would have drowned
the wilderness.
In the 1980's, other projects, the Conner Dam and its alternative,
the Mangas Diversion, were defeated because of extravagant
costs that Silver City, NM residents refused to pay. Now those
who would drain the river and empty the pockets of residents
of southwestern New Mexico are back.
THE
LATEST THREAT
The latest threat stems from an amendment to the 2004 Arizona
Water Settlements Act, which provides $66 million of federal
money for any water-related purpose in southwestern New Mexico,
and encourages the state to divert 14,000 acre-feet of water
annually from the Gila River and its tributary the San Francisco
River. If used sensibly, this funding could provide the financing
for critical water and wastewater infrastructure and conservation
needs. Instead, the law provides an irresponsible incentive
to move forward with a water "development" project
on the Gila River: New Mexico may receive an additional $34
- $62 million for an unnecessary project.
WHY
DIVERSION OF THE WILD GILA IS SO WRONG
- It
would take out almost twice the amount of water
from the river as is already being removed for industry
and agriculture.
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- It
would impair the river's natural cycle of flows,
which could drastically change riparian conditions
and threaten native species of fish, as well as
the myriad of other species that depend on a free-flowing
river.
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- It
would destroy the spirit of the place where generations
of fathers have taught their sons to fish, where
families have picnicked under the cottonwoods, and
where young people have pledged their love and adoration.
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DIVERSION
A BOONDOGGLE
The latest diversion scheme is a boondoggle: costs for the
diversion project would far exceed benefits. GCC's
economic analysis indicates that removing the Gila's water
and transporting it to Silver City would cost 16 times more
than buying unused water rights and drilling new wells; taxpayers
would be stuck with an additional $268 million tab. This study
estimated loss in tourism benefits of $12 million and economic
costs due to ecological impacts of a Gila River diversion
of $218 million.
Learn
more about what you can do. |
