I made this petition to make sure that the MRGCD would not move water through irrigation infrastructure for non-irrigation purposes, bypassing the dry river bed, and the ecosystem in need. This issue affects not only the environment, but all New Mexican citizens, and we need change now! Please sign and share with others! 

With the warming climate and the demand for water growing, it is the Rio Grande and other watersheds that suffer. In 2020 around 40 miles dried up. The river itself is highly managed, with almost all water allocated to someone. After the irrigation season in 2020, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) routed water through irrigational channels to deliver it to Elephant Butte. They only did this in certain parts of the river to not “waste” water on stretches of the river that were dry, and in need of water. Even the U.S Bureau of Reclamation expressed concerns about doing it that way last year.  Jennifer Faler, Albuquerque area manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said they do not think this is the most efficient way to move water to Elephant Butte. She said, that the reroute avoided natural processes, and interfered with river realignment projects. 

Reduced water levels in rivers can cause many problems. Not just for the communities that rely on that water source. It also causes a loss of wetlands which are a key part of the environment, they clean water and provide invaluable habitat to wildlife. Lack of water causes harmful algae blooms and invasive species. We even can see a decline in biodiversity and abundance in natural fish and wildlife. Finally, it can cause more water pollution.

In the 2021 season, MRGCD should not move water for non-irrigation purposes through the irrigation infrastructure, bypassing the river as to not “waste” water on the ecosystem.