Grant To Restore Pecos River Through National Wildlife Refuge
Associated Press
BITTER LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — Six miles of the Pecos River through the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be restored.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, received a $518,500 grant under the state's 2007 River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative.
It will fund a phase of a river restoration project that includes removing invasive salt cedar, establishing native plants and reconnecting historic river sections.
"Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge sits at an ideal location for river restoration," said Paul Tashjian, a Fish and Wildlife hydrologist.
The project is aimed at improving quality and habitat for the Pecos bluntnose shiner, attracting more birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish; removing 100 acres of invasive nonnative plants; reducing flood risk downstream; reducing fire risks; improving recreational opportunities; and increasing the number of visitors to the refuge near Roswell.
Bitter Lake supports one of the most diverse populations of dragonflies and damselflies in North America, and the restoration project will benefit those species. The insects' life cycle requires water and wetlands.
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