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Next Week, the Nature Concervancy will be out with a report on the impacts of climate change in New Mexico.
It appears that the Jemez. southern Sangres and Gila regions will be of concern.
The US Dept. of Agriculture is out with a new report on the coming impacts of climate change. The Washington Post has an article here.
Whether you believe in human causes of global warming is really not the issue. The fact remains that we will likely be dealing with clash of issues in the coming years from warming temperatures and increasing water demands from population growth. New Mexico and our water resources will likely be hit exceptionally hard, and it will be imperative that we put as much effort into shoring up these resources.
NMTU has, over the past two years been part of an effort to get the state to commit resources to riparian restoration projects. We have been successful in getting a $2 million plus commitment in each of the last two legislative sessions. What we really need though, is an ongoing program so that we don’t have to go back and beg during each legislative session. Last year, some of this money was used for a project on the Rio de los Pinos to repair habitat. A project for the Pecos was denied. This year we are again supporting a project on the Pecos as well as additional funding for the Rio de los Pinos.
I would like to access this program to start sorely needed work on the East Fork Jemez River in the Valles Caldera, but I don’t have the time or energy right now to lead such an effort.
UPDATE: The NM Game Commission did indeed approve this regulation change for the upper 4 mile stretch of the San Juan.
At the Game Commission meeting in Farmington on Thursday, May 29th, the commission will take up a proposal from the NM Dept. of Game and Fish (NMDGF) to limit anglers to two hooks on the San Juan River from Navajo Dam down to the Hammond Diversion. Basically this is targeted at the Special Regulation water.
At the April meeting, they put forth this same proposal for all waters in New Mexico. While TU did not take a position on that proposal, several members of TU and NM Trout, including myself opposed the proposal. The department put forth no data to show that there was a problem with anglers using more than two hooks, and I thought they were over-reaching by trying to make this a state-wide change.
Jemez Pueblo is looking at acquiring a tract of land near Terrero that is currently owned by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF). The Santa Fe New Mexican ran a story today about the issue.
Dealing with the camping complex along the river north of Pecos has been an issue that the Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the San Miguel County Commission have been trying to address. The lack of organized campgrounds up the canyon has been a problem for an area that is a favorite weekend getaway spot – especially on holiday weekends. NMDGF has shown little interest and has no resources to manage the camping in that area, which has led to some serious degradation of the river (and much trash) around Terrero and near the junction with the Mora-Pecos River.
This will likely be a hot button issue over the coming months. I think everyone wants the issues surrounding this tract of land dealt with, but is selling it off the best solution?
Greg McReynolds is up in Jackson Hole attending a symposium put on by Trout Unlimited and Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development. The symposium is an attempt to add some balance to the push for energy development throughout the Rocky Mountains, with protection of our hunting and fishing resources. Today’s Casper Star-Tribune has an article on the symposium.
I’m sure Greg will have a report when he returns.
The last time I got out on some New Mexico Water, it was last month and the Pecos was looking decidedly snowy. Kevin Reilly and I got out and braved the cold for a few hours and while our success rate was low, it was a fabulous day. There is just something special about being alone on the water, listening to snowflakes hit your hat with the authority of heavy spring snow.
What have your spring fishing adventures been like?
Greg McReynolds
Saturday May 31 at Alto Park. Click for the River Festival Flyer.
The day begins with a river clean-up at 9 a.m. Then, from 11:00-2:00pm the festival will include water activities, games, crafts, and live animals. Bring a picnic and enjoy live music on the grass.
Trout Unlimited is currently helping to fund a feasibility study to determine what it will take to get trout back in the Santa Fe River.
Trout Unlimited will once again be participating in a river clean-up on the Pecos River. The event is being put on by the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, and will include coffee and pasteries beforehand to get everyone going, and a picnic BBQ afterwards.
This is a great event and is much fun as cleaning up trash can be. Also there is a free fishing day for the kids on Cowles pond.
Come on out and support a great river that needs our attention.
Once again, TU will participate in the volunteer work being done on Comanche Creek in the Valle Vidal.
The first planned work weekend is July 18-20. These work weekends are a great chance to meet with other people interested in restoring Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and also to get a little fishing in on the Rio Costilla or Shuree Ponds. Free camping is typically provided behind Shuree Lodge, and there is a BBQ on Saturday. If you are so inclined, you can just come up for the day on Saturday.
If you are interest in participating, contact David Gratson (dgratson@neptuneinc.org) with the Truchas Chapter, or Avery Anderson (avery@quiviracoalition.org) with Quivira Coalition.
Click here for a flyer with more details on the weekend.
Avery also needs a few people to work during the week prior to the work weekend, so if you want to stay up there even longer, drop him a note.
Kevin Reilly and I fished the Cochetopa today on the way back from the TU Regional meeting in Grand Junction. It was the only water we could find (in 380 miles of driving) that was fishable.
If you’ve not been there, it’s an interesting stream that flows out of the La Garita Mountains and into Tomichi Creek several miles east of Gunnison. There is a Colorado State Wildlife Area there on the Coleman Ranches (Coleman Natural Beef). The flow out of the Dome Lakes was high but managable. Nothing big, but at least we got to hook into some trout.
William Schudlich
gregmcreynolds
kevinvreilly
