Governor Richardson Promises
to Protect the Gila River

Press Statement

4/23/08 

The Gila River, New Mexico’s last free-flowing river, has been named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers, by the organization American Rivers. In making the announcement last week, Governor Bill Richardson pledged his support to protect the Gila by considering statutory protection to prevent construction of a dam or diversion project on the river. 

As one of the few remaining un-dammed rivers in the Southwest, the Gila deserves long-term protection, and the Gila Conservation Coalition applauds Governor Richardson’s commitment to the river’s protection.  

The Gila’s natural cycle of flows is critical to maintaining its riparian forest of cottonwoods and sycamores, intact communities of native fish, including the threatened loach minnow and spike dace, and habitat for more than 250 species of bird, such as the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. The Gila has been identified as a top conservation priority in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Given the Gila’s rich natural and cultural history, fishermen, birdwatchers, recreation enthusiasts, and heritage tourists journey to the river, making the Gila a destination for the region’s increasingly amenity-based economy.  

The Gila is threatened by diversions authorized by the Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA), which encourages the state to divert 14,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Gila River and its tributary the San Francisco River. The law provides an irresponsible incentive to move forward with a water "development" project on the Gila by providing up to $128 million if a diversion were to be built. However the AWSA allows for spending $66 million of this federal money for any water-related purpose in southwestern New Mexico. This funding could finance critical water infrastructure and conservation needs that could eliminate the need for taking water out of the Gila River.    

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has put forth the idea of an expensive diversion project, which would cost well over $300 million and create industrial infrastructure in the Cliff-Gila Valley that would blight this pastoral agricultural community. However, the need for this diversion project has not been demonstrated. There is sufficient water in aquifers under Silver City and other communities in Grant County to meet estimated future needs without addition of Gila River water. The 2006 supplement to Silver City's 40-year water plan shows that the regional aquifer has approximately 15 million acre-feet of groundwater, with 15,900 acre-feet per year of recharge, enough to sustain the area for the long-term.  Municipal conservation can achieve a 20 percent reduction in future demand, while agricultural conservation such as drip irrigation would save area farmers 30 – 50 percent of their water and energy use leading to a balanced water budget for southwestern New Mexico.  As more water is needed, the future water supply needs of the area can be met 16 times more cheaply by acquiring additional water rights and drilling new groundwater wells.   

The Southwest New Mexico multi-stakeholder water planning process should continue its work to plan for the region’s future water needs and to determine how to utilize the federal funds under the AWSA.  In the immediate term, the stakeholder group needs to reach consensus on how to put to best use the FY09 funding allocated by the state legislature this year. 

The Arizona Water Settlements Act provides southwestern New Mexico with the opportunity to use federal funding to meet its future water needs while at the same time protecting for future generations the state’s last free-flowing river.  

Press Release

CONTACTS:
Allyson Siwik
Executive Director
Gila Conservation Coalition
(575) 538-8078
(575) 590-7619 cell

Gila River Among America’s
Most Endangered Rivers

Water Development Threatens
New Mexico’s Last Free-flowing River

April 17, 2008; Silver City, NM – The Gila River, New Mexico’s last free-flowing river, has been named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers, by the organization American Rivers. The Gila is threatened by a major water development project that could double the amount of water currently withdrawn from the river, degrading this ecological jewel and imposing hundreds of millions of dollars of cost on taxpayers for an unnecessary project. The river has long been eyed for its water development potential, but estimated costs, environmental impacts, and community opposition have precluded previous projects from moving forward.

“The water problems facing southern New Mexico can be solved today with solutions far less draconian than this ill-conceived diversion project,” said Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of the Gila Conservation Coalition. “To risk damage to the Gila River ecosystem when significantly cheaper water supply options are available is unscrupulous and fiscally irresponsible.”

The Gila is threatened by diversions authorized by the Arizona Water Settlements Act, which encourages the state to divert 14,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Gila River and its tributary the San Francisco River. The law provides an irresponsible incentive to move forward with a water "development" project on the Gila by providing up to $128 million if a diversion were to be built. However, the law allows for spending $66 million of this federal money for any water-related purpose in southwestern New Mexico. If used sensibly, this funding could finance critical water infrastructure and conservation needs that could eliminate the need for taking water out of the Gila River.

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has put forth the idea of an expensive diversion project, which would cost well over $300 million and create industrial infrastructure in the Cliff-Gila Valley that would blight this pastoral agricultural community. However, the need for this diversion project has not been demonstrated. There is sufficient water in aquifers under Silver City and other communities in Grant County to meet estimated future needs without addition of Gila River water. The 2006 supplement to Silver City's 40-year water plan shows that the regional aquifer has approximately 15 million acre-feet of groundwater, with 15,900 acre-feet per year of recharge, enough to sustain the area for hundreds of years. Municipal conservation can also extend Silver City’s permitted water supply by 10 years, while agricultural conservation such as drip irrigation would save area farmers 30 – 50 percent of their water and energy use leading to a balanced water budget for southwestern New Mexico. If, at some point, additional water were needed, the future water supply needs of the area can be met 16 times more cheaply by acquiring additional water rights and drilling new groundwater wells.

“It makes no sense to examine only a Gila River diversion project when inexpensive water supply solutions are available,” added Dutch Salmon, Gila Conservation Coalition Chairman. “Our water managers need to look at a broad range of water supply and demand management alternatives to meet our future water needs.”

The Gila River’s natural cycle of flows is critical to maintaining its riparian forest of cottonwoods and sycamores, intact communities of native fish, including the threatened loach minnow and spike dace, and habitat for more than 250 species of bird, such as the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher. The Gila has been identified as a top conservation priority in the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Given the Gila’s rich natural and cultural history, fishermen, birdwatchers and other recreation enthusiasts journey to the river, making the Gila a destination for the region’s increasingly amenity-based economy.

“The Gila River is a natural gem, home to all the fish, birds, and other native wildlife that are precious to New Mexicans,” said Todd Schulke of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We need to do everything possible to protect our last free flowing river and all the wildlife that depend on it.”

Each year, American Rivers solicits nominations from thousands of river groups, environmental organizations, outdoor clubs, local governments, and taxpayer watchdogs for the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report. The report highlights the rivers facing the most uncertain futures rather than those suffering from the worst chronic problems. The report presents alternatives to proposals that would damage rivers, identifies those who make the crucial decisions, and points out opportunities for the public to take action on behalf of each listed river. The America’s Most Endangered Rivers Report results in thousands of supporters taking action on behalf of their beloved river. Such action produces immediate and tangible results. To see success stories visit www.americanrivers.org/MERSuccesses.

“With all that the Gila provides to the Desert Southwest, it’s really unthinkable that people are actually thinking about draining the river,” stated Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers. “It’s up to the people of New Mexico to stop this crazy idea, and help save the Gila for generations to come.”

The Gila Conservation Coalition (GCC) is a partnership of local environmental and conservation groups, including the Gila Resources Information Project, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, and the Center for Biological Diversity. GCC organized in 1984 to protect the free flow of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers and the wilderness characteristics of the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness areas.

CONTACTS:
Allyson Siwik
Executive Director
Gila Conservation Coalition
(575) 538-8078
(575) 590-7619 cell

Desert Exposure Article:

Confessions of a Kayak Virgin
Getting your feet wet in the Gila River

By Donna Clayton Lawder

Cowabunga, dude! Okay, cowabunga is a 1960s-era surfing term, actually, and not really applicable to a kayaking adventure, which is what's on my agenda this morning. It just goes to show you — as I drive out to a pre-arranged meeting place, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach — how inexperienced at water sports I am.

Oh, I've paddled my own canoe, thank you, and have proved myself to be a not-completely-worthless first mate on a sailboat or two. But up until this morning's adventure, in fact, I've never set foot in the likes of these little boats.

I guess you could call me a kayak virgin.

I was seduced, if you will, to take this particular plunge via email. Today's trip is part of the third annual Gila River Festival, an event organized by the local Gila Conservation Coalition and several eco- and conservation-oriented non-profit organizations. The festival has grown to span four days and includes guided hikes, talks, bird-watching walks, a "star party," family camping at the Gila's headwaters and more. The myriad experiences are aimed at increasing appreciation for the Gila River, and take place in a variety of locations from the Gila Cliff Dwellings to the Cliff-Gila Valley to Silver City. [READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE].

December 17, 2007; Silver City, NM --- The Gila Conservation Coalition, Center for Biological Diversity and the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance filed today with the Office of the State Engineer a protest of the Augustin Ranch LLC proposal to withdraw 54,000 acre-feet per year from the San Augustine groundwater aquifer to meet compact delivery requirements to Texas. The protest states that the Augustin Ranch application is detrimental to the public welfare and contrary to the conservation of water of the state.

“Given that there is some technical evidence that the San Augustine Basin recharges the headwaters of the Gila, we are very concerned about impacts to surface flows of the Gila River,” stated Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of the Gila Conservation Coalition. “Water withdrawals of this magnitude threaten the productivity of existing wells and the future water supply for the communities within the San Augustine Basin, as well as threaten the existence of springs and surface water flows, including the Gila River. The Gila River is New Mexico’s last free-flowing mainstem river and a number of threatened and endangered species rely on its natural cycle of flows for their survival.”

The protest explains that the proposal is contrary to the conservation of water of the state given that extracting such a large quantity of groundwater from the San Augustine Basin aquifer and piping it to the Rio Grande is a waste of New Mexico’s precious groundwater resources especially considering the significant evaporative losses that would result from storage in Elephant Butte Lake. Siwik stated that “Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe should be required to live within their water budgets rather than allowed to grow uncontrollably. Granting of this application would set a precedent for state water law that could impact rural areas such as ours throughout the state.”

Bruce Frederick, attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, filed the protest today on behalf of the conservation groups.

Governor Richardson states policy to protect Gila and San Francisco rivers for future generations Governor redirects process to analyze range of water supply/demand alternatives

June 29, 2007, Silver City, NM - On Tuesday, Governor Richardson issued a policy statement regarding water resources planning under the Arizona Water Settlements Act, stating his desire to protect the Gila and San Francisco Rivers for future generations. In addition, the Governor's statement redirects the Gila-San Francisco Coordinating Committee process to study the range of alternatives to meet water supply needs, "with the 'no diversion' option as an essential part of the analysis."

"We are happy to see that Governor Richardson recognizes the value of the Gila River to New Mexico and the Southwest and that he is committed to no planning for a dam," stated Dutch Salmon, Chairman of the Gila Conservation Coalition. "We are also pleased to learn that the Governor will redirect the Gila-San Francisco Coordinating Committee process to include study of a range of alternatives. It's important that other options to meet the future water supply needs of our region-and not just the diversion alternative-- are assessed. An alternatives analysis will allow the communities of southwestern New Mexico to objectively judge the costs and benefits of a variety of water supply and demand management options so that we can make the best decisions for our water future."

Organized in 1984 to protect the free flow of the Gila and San Francisco rivers and the wilderness characteristics of the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness areas, the Gila Conservation Coalition (GCC) is a partnership between the Gila Resources Information Project, the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity that promotes conservation of the Upper Gila River Basin and surrounding lands.

READ GOVERNOR RICHARDSON'S FULL STATEMENT HERE.

Gila River Dam Still on the Table
Southwest New Mexico Water Planning Group
wants to continue to study dam

Silver City, NM – At its monthly meeting today, the Southwest New Mexico Water Planning Group (SWNMWPG) discussed the idea of making a statement that the Group would remove from consideration development of a dam on the Gila River to capture 14,000 acre-feet per year of surface water under the 2004 Arizona Water Settlements Act. The group did not move forward with a resolution to that effect because it wanted to let the science decide if a dam is a good thing or not.

Read the full press release here.

Silver City, NM, June 21, 2005 - There is no need for a water diversion on the Gila River, New Mexico's last free-flowing river, as is being proposed under recently passed legislation, according to a technical analysis released by the Gila Conservation Coalition. The group's economic analysis of future water supply needs for Silver City and the Central Mining District demonstrates that the area's future water demand can be met through new well fields or a combination of new well fields and surface water use at approximately one tenth the cost of a Gila River diversion project. The Coalition's chairman, M.H. "Dutch" Salmon, stated "Our results show that a Gila River diversion would cost at least 10 times more than drilling new wells or conjunctive use. This is an important finding. We need to look to low-cost alternatives to provide our future water supply and the Gila Conservation Coalition has proven that a diversion project just doesn't make good economic sense."

Click here to see the full press release.

Download the full report, Potential Economic Costs of a Gila River Diversion

September 24, 2004 - Gila River Threatened by Diversion Project

April 20, 2004 - Gila River Threatened by $220 Million Reservoir Project