Gila named America’s Most Endangered River

On April 16, American Rivers named the Gila No. 1 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019.

New Mexico’s last free-flowing wild river, the Gila, is threatened by a diversion project that could suck the river dry. The Gila is a prime example of how climate change is impacting our rivers and water supplies and how the decisions we make will impact our communities – for better or worse – for generations to come. It’s why American Rivers is naming the Gila #1 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2019.

The proposed diversion simply doesn’t make sense from an ecological or economic perspective – especially in an era of climate change. The good news is, Southwest New Mexico’s water needs can be met with local water projects that will save taxpayers and water users’ money, provide direct benefits for area farmers and businesses, and protect the Gila River for future generations.

Please urge Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to remove the Gila River diversion from the planning process, and reallocate the available federal funds for locally driven, sustainable water projects.