New federal funding will support enhanced fish and wildlife habitat while tackling challenges faced by fish, wildlife, and communities along the Rio Grande in Colorado and New Mexico
Today, the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $24.9 million investment to support water conservation and habitat restoration efforts in the headwaters of the Rio Grande. These new federal resources will ensure greater resilience to drought and water security for Colorado and New Mexico communities while significantly enhancing the quality of fish and wildlife habitat in the region for future generations of hunters and anglers.
“Today’s announcement provides a critical downpayment that will make the headwaters of the Rio Grande better prepared to handle the ongoing impacts of drought, while supporting state and local efforts to sustainably manage water supplies for future generations,” said Alexander Funk, TRCP director of water resources. “Further, this announcement shows that when Colorado and New Mexico work together, big things can happen that benefit fish and wildlife, support local economies, and tackle some of the region’s most pressing water challenges.”
The Rio Grande is a vital resource for the region—it provides water for agriculture, which remains the backbone of the economy, communities, Pueblos, acequias, and iconic fish and wildlife, including the Rio Grande cutthroat trout and migratory waterfowl. Yet the Rio Grande is amid a long-term drought, which has placed considerable strain on surface and groundwater resources in the region. The funding announced today will help to provide a critical downpayment on addressing these challenges by investing in state and locally led efforts to encourage sustainable surface and groundwater management, update aging water storage and delivery infrastructure, and benefit fish and wildlife habitat by restoring wetlands and riparian areas.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership worked in partnership with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, Conejos Water Conservancy District, Rio Grande Headwaters Restoration Project, Colorado Open Lands, Santa Clara Pueblo, Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation District, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, Colorado Water Conservation Board, National Wildlife Federation, American Rivers, Amigos Bravos, and others in developing and securing this federal funding for the Upper Rio Grande.
“We are thrilled to see this funding go towards these critical projects in Colorado. We are particularly proud to have played a role in assisting these projects in securing funding through Colorado Water Conservation Board funding programs including our Federal Technical Assistance Grant Program, Projects Bill funding and Water Plan Grants,” said Lauren Ris, Colorado Water Conservation Board Director, “By building upon the capacity of our local partners, we provide extra resources and guidance to navigate complex federal funding processes.”
“This funding will expand the Department’s ongoing efforts to restore riparian habitats, enhance fish passage for Species of Greatest Conservation need, and maintain outdoor recreational opportunities for New Mexicans – now and into the future,” said Michael Sloane, Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “We are thrilled to continue to work with our federal, state, and private partners to get these funds on the ground to benefit fish, wildlife and habitat that supports them.”
“The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is excited to partner with the Corrales farming community to invest in durable solutions to address infrastructure constraints and water supply shortages in their service area” said Jason M. Casuga, P.E., CEO and Chief Engineer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. “This innovative partnership is vital for the sustainability of the Corrales farm economy and area food security.”
“This funding is a critical investment in healthy rivers and communities in the Upper Rio Grande – an often overlooked but vital watershed for drinking water, agriculture, and wildlife. The projects supported by these funds will confront and solve long-term challenges in supplying clean, safe, reliable drinking water, improving water quality for wildlife and agriculture, and reducing risks across the region from drought and overuse,” said Emily Wolf, Rio Grande Coordinator, American Rivers. “We are proud to support this work, and our local partners, in securing this funding, and applaud the Bureau of Reclamation in supporting this crucial step.”
“With $24.9 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Upper Rio Grande Basin will gain drought-resilient infrastructure, restored ecosystems, and advanced water management—ensuring sustainable water resources for generations to come,” said Amber Pacheco, Deputy General Manager, Rio Grande Water Conservation District.
“This funding will be a catalyst for our collective work to restore the health of the San Luis Valley’s rivers and aquifers, which will improve the Upper Rio Grande Basin’s resilience in the face of changing water supplies,” said Heather Dutton, Manager, San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District. “The completion of these critical projects will make a difference for the community now and for future generations!”
“This investment will be critical for a number of headwater streams, improving the resilience of these watersheds as well as the mainstem of the Rio Grande in light of the climate stressors we are facing. The projects will benefit the communities who rely on the watersheds, acequias and traditional agriculture, and the wildlife who call this region home,” said Steven Fry, Projects and Policy Specialist, Amigos Bravos. “The Bureau of Reclamation and the Biden-Harris administration are demonstrating once again that investing in our local communities and watersheds throughout the Rio Grande remains a priority and we thank them for their continued leadership.”
“The Rio Grande is the underpinning that supports the economic and ecological health of the region. This funding allows conservation partners to critically address and relieve the challenges this habitat and community have experienced from long-term drought and sustainability insecurity,” said Tracy Stephens, senior specialist for riparian connectivity at The National Wildlife Federation. “We applaud the Bureau of Reclamation’s investment and recognition of the importance of riparian health and habitat connectivity. This funding is an important step forward in a collective effort to achieve well-connected and functional riparian corridors to protect the wellbeing of people, plants, and wildlife in the Upper Rio Grande.”
Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to habitat and clean water HERE
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