Gila River Among America’s Most Endangered Rivers
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 The Gila is threatened by a major water development project that could double the amount of water currently withdrawn from the river, degrading this ecological jewel and imposing hundreds of millions of dollars of cost on taxpayers for an unnecessary project.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