Letter to the Editor: Make the Gila River a wild and scenic river

Make the Gila River A Wild and Scenic River

The Gila River in Southwest New Mexico is a beautiful and ecologically important river that is home to a diverse range of fish and wildlife species. It is the last free-flowing river in New Mexico and supports incredible biodiversity for fish and wildlife species. The river’s headwaters originate in the Gila Wilderness, which is the world’s first designated Wilderness Area. I have worked in the Gila Wilderness and National Forest. I have camped and backpacked in the Wilderness and along the Gila River and Kayaked it. I encountered the MX (Mexican) Grey Wolfs and fished the river. It is one of the best places in New Mexico and the Southwest USA.

The Gila Wild and Scenic legislation has been reintroduced by Senators Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Luján and in the House by Representative Gabe Vasquez co-sponsored by Rep. Teresa Leher Fernandez and Rep. Melanie Stansbury. The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act would designate approximately 446 miles of river segments as Wild, Scenic or Recreational, permanently protecting these rivers in their free-flowing conditions. The bill would protect the river and tributaries from dams and other harmful development.

Designating the Gila and San Francisco Rivers as Wild and Scenic is the best way to preserve our traditional values, boost the growing outdoor economy in southwest New Mexico, and protect threatened and endangered species from extinction.

If you are interested in learning more about the Gila Wild and Scenic Campaign, you can visit the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance website.

Gill M. Sorg

Las Cruces, New Mexico

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Letter to the Editor: Make the Gila River a wild and scenic river