Environmental group taps reservoirs to boost Rio Grande flow

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Cities, water managers and a key irrigation district along the Rio Grande have agreed to sell water they don't immediately need to help boost flows along a stretch of the river in central New Mexico to deal with extremely dry conditions and benefit endangered species.
The environmental group Audubon New Mexico announced last week that it helped to initiate the agreements, which will amount to more than 320 million gallons (1,200 million liters) being released over a nearly two-month period, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported .
"This marks a historic partnership where municipalities have joined with Audubon to help restore a vital ribbon of life," Paul Tashjian, of Audubon New Mexico, said in a statement.
Tashjian declined to provide details on costs or the source of funds being spent to help deal with this year's drought emergency, but said Belen, Los Lunas and Bernalillo were providing shares of unused water rights "at cost . without profit."
"There are no public funds involved in this partnership," Tashjian said. "This is a private transaction between Audubon and the four parties."
Al Antonez, general manager of the Club at Las Campanas, confirmed the club is part of the deal but referred all other questions to Tom Egelhoff, director of agronomy. Egelhoff did not return a call from the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper seeking comment.
The collaborative effort will affect the river corridor from near Isleta Pueblo — about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Albuquerque — to the Socorro region, providing relief to such creatures as the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow.
"We have some endangered species in or along the river that this will benefit," said Mike Hamman, chief executive officer of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. He referred to species such as the Southwestern willow flycatcher, among others. "This will minimize drying and optimize the water flow."
Both Tashjian and Hamman said they hope future partnerships can be developed to keep the program going.
Partners involved in the effort include the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Pueblo of Isleta and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, according to the announcement by Audubon.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com