Ten years ago the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission came to town to organize local support for a Gila River diversion and storage project. After three failed attempts to dam and divert the Gila over the past 50 years, the ISC was in the process of cutting a deal with Arizona for Gila River water and federal funding. Hearing of the ISC scheme, local conservation groups, including GRIP, sprang into action. Realizing that this time around, with talk of a federal subsidy for a project, the outcome for the Gila could be different. GRIP, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance (UGWA) and Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) came together to resurrect the Gila Conservation Coalition (GCC). GCC historically operated as an informal group of volunteers. Reading the tea leaves, GRIP and its partners decided GCC needed organizational support and the ability to fundraise to defeat this latest threat to the Gila. GRIP serves as GCC’s fiscal agent and provides office space. GRIP, UGWA, and CBD all provide staff to GCC’s efforts. GCC partners have been successful in opening up the AWSA planning process to all stakeholders and getting a wide range of non-diversion projects on the table for consideration. GCC continues to advocate for cost-effective non-diversion alternatives to meet southwestern New Mexico’s water needs while maintaining the free flow of the Gila River.
Riparian restoration effort aims to protect a rare spring-fed floodplain forest, strengthen stream and habitat resilience and ensure future generations of native trees along Bear Creek By Scott Zager, GRIP GIS Specialist/Plant Ecologist Last summer, GRIP began an ecological restoration project at Dorsey Spring, a 32-acre floodplain forest along Bear Creek in a remote corner […]
SB21 heads to governor for signature March 19, 2025 – Today, the House voted 43-25 to pass SB 21, a bill to provide critical protections for New Mexico waters. It will next go to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be signed into law. Following rollbacks to federal clean water protections in recent years, up to […]
For Immediate Release March 15, 2023 Contact: Allyson Siwik, Executive Director, Gila Conservation Coalition 575.590.7619 cell, allysonsiwik@gmail.com Gila Conservation Coalition Applauds Reintroduction of Gila Wild and Scenic Legislation to Protect the Gila and San Francisco Rivers Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Gabe Vasquez announced today the reintroduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila […]
With funding from the NM Environment Department River Stewardship Program, Gila Resources Information Project (GRIP) has partnered with the Town of Silver City, Stream Dynamics, Gila WoodNet, and Lone Mountain Natives to address water quality impairments and threats to riparian habitat in San Vicente Creek. On-the-ground work begins the week of January 23 for approximately […]
HELP US PROTECT THE RIVERS, STREAMS AND LAKESTHAT YOU CARE ABOUT The federal Clean Water Act and the New Mexico Water Quality Act require the State toreview its surface water quality regulations at least every three years in a public hearingprocess called the Triennial Review. The hearing offers the public an opportunity toadvocate for stronger […]
Although COVID-19 will prevent gathering in person, the pandemic won’t stop the Gila River Festival from meeting virtually to celebrate New Mexico’s last wild river. The 16th Annual Gila River Festival will take place online September 18 and 19, 2020 and will explore how we cultivate resilience in our communities and ecological systems in the […]
Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced this morning introduction of the M.H. “Dutch” Salmon Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect segments of the Gila and San Francisco rivers as Wild and Scenic. Gila Resources Information Project thanks Senators Udall and Heinrich for their leadership and dedication to long-term protection of New Mexico’s last […]
New Mexico Groups Appeal EPA’s Dirty Water Rule June 23, 2020 – Today three New Mexico based organizations – Amigos Bravos, the New Mexico Acequia Association, and Gila Resources Information Project – joined together to appeal the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers so called Navigable Water Protection Rule (“2020 […]
The latest issue of GRIP’s newsletter, GetAGRIP, is now available for download. If you are a GRIP member expect your copy in your mailbox soon. In this issue: Freeport-McMoRan fails financial soundness test NM Attorney General determines NM CAP Entity violated Open Meetings Act in Gila diversion discussions Back to square one: NM CAP Entity […]
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