WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation is releasing $3.5 million for a restoration project on the Middle Rio Grande.
Funding, which is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used for construction of habitat improvements in the Isleta Reach of the Middle Rio Grande floodplain downstream of Belen. The project was designed in consultation with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission under the programmatic responsibility of the Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Collaborative Program and will benefit the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow and Willow Flycatcher.
"Funding this construction project will contribute toward the continued success of the Middle Rio Grande Collaborative Program and will be yet another project that should help improve the conditions for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow and the Willow Flycatcher. Habitat improvements will benefit the species and will also provide increased protection of the water supply for many water users in the Middle Rio Grande area," Bingaman said.
"The ongoing restoration of the Isleta Reach enhances the Middle Rio Grande's natural beauty and protects the habitat for New Mexico's wildlife," Udall said. "I applaud the Bureau of Reclamation for allocating Recovery funds to sustain this important project and the jobs for New Mexicans that it provides."
New side channels, backwater areas, and river bars will be constructed to enhance fish habitat and portions of the floodway will be lowered to improve the hydraulic characteristics of the main channel during high flow periods to encourage native vegetation growth. In addition, exotic vegetation and jetty jacks - steel frame structures once installed along the river banks for stabilization and to create new levees and bosque - will be removed.
