Legislation to Protect the Gila and San Francisco Rivers Takes Important Step Forward with Senate Hearing

Small business owners, Tribes, land owners and others have been working on community proposal for nearly a decade

Contact: Luke Koenig, New Mexico Wild, (443) 676-3200, luke@nmwild.org

Media Photos and B-Roll Available Here

Silver City, N.M. (December 2, 2025) – A diverse coalition of local residents in southwest New Mexico is thanking the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining for holding a hearing on the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act (S. 1476). 

 The local, community-driven proposal – which has been introduced four times in the Senate and twice in the House – would designate nearly 450 miles of rivers and streams in southwestern New Mexico, including portions of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers, under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, ensuring traditional and current use of the waterways, while protecting critical wildlife habitat and growing New Mexico’s sustainable outdoor recreation economy.  

The Act has broad, grassroots support of Tribes, faith leaders, private property owners, local governments, civic organizations, hunters and anglers, and more than 150 small businesses in Grant County and surrounding communities. Additionally, polling has found that 81% of voters across New Mexico are supportive of protecting these rivers and streams through Wild and Scenic designation.

The area is a popular destination for people to fish, hunt, hike, kayak, and more. The popularity of these waterways is an important economic driver for the communities in southwestern New Mexico. Data released in 2023 by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the state’s outdoor economy contributes $3.2 billion to New Mexico’s GDP supports more than 29,000 jobs.

Safeguarding America’s waterways has been identified as a critical means of mitigating the impacts of a changing climate, including drought and wildfires. Across the country, our rivers are experiencing increased pressure from climate change and development. Wild and Scenic River designation provides a balanced solution for the future of New Mexico’s last free-flowing rivers.

The coalition urges the Senate and House to continue to move and pass the legislation.

Community Support for the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act
Local Residents
“The Gila river is the lifeblood of our communities. It’s the place we earn our living, where we go to spend time with our families, where we go to hunt and fish.  Protecting the Gila river as wild and scenic ensures we can pass this legacy on to future generations.”
– Zack and Jamie Crockett, Gila Hot Springs residents, owners of Gila Backcountry Services

“Having grown through my formative years in Silver City, the Gila National Forest and its rivers always played a very important role as recreational areas; as I’ve heard others say, ‘Our Disney Land.’  The Gila River has especially played an important part for generations of locals- from the fast flowing currents of the upper wilderness to the slower pace of Gila-Cliff off into Red Rock and AZ. Most of us who claim this region as home have a special connection to what a free-flowing Gila provided us- incredible enjoyment of its pure natural setting. Sunday, on June 14th, 1975,  the day before heading off for Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego, my girlfriend and a group of friends treated me to an all day picnic at the Lower Box of the Gila River-a very memorable sendoff. To this day, I always think of that time when enjoying the free-flowing waters that we’ve been super lucky to have available to us. Please, let’s keep the naturalness of the great Gila River for future generations’ enjoyment.”
– Al Gamboa, Marine Corp Veteran, Silver City resident

“As a fifth generation New Mexican who served our country in Navy Special Warfare SEAL Team 5, I feel like I’m serving my country best by helping get Wild and Scenic designation for the Gila River.”
– Brett Myrick, former U.S. Navy SEAL Team 5. 

“The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act is ultimately about protection—of places, memories, and opportunities. The Gila River and its tributaries are at the core of who I am today. I grew up fishing and hunting along those riverbanks, creating family memories that shaped my life. Today, the river offers those same experiences to my grandchildren. More importantly, it gives them something real—something that pulls them away from their devices and into a world that teaches patience, curiosity, and respect for nature. Protecting the Gila isn’t just about preserving a river. It’s about preserving a way of life, across generations.”
– Ray Trejo, local sportsman and Luna County Commissioner

Organizations
“There is no river system more deserving of Wild and Scenic designation than the Greater Gila River, which provides clean water, wildlife habitat, and cultural importance for not just southwest New Mexico, but the region. We thank the New Mexico delegation for its unwavering support of the local communities championing this bill, and celebrate this latest step toward bill passage.”
– Michael Fiebig, Director of River Protection for the Southwest U.S. at American Rivers

“For decades, a diverse coalition has been working to protect more than 450 miles of the Gila and San Francisco rivers and their tributaries.  Sponsors of this bill have hosted roundtables, held comment periods, and met with hundreds of stakeholders to craft a balanced bill that would ensure that future generations can always have access to clean water, ample fisheries, and outdoor recreation opportunities. In fact, a 2020-economic study found that if the Gila and San Francisco rivers and their major tributaries were designated as Wild and Scenic, recreation spending by existing visitors could increase by at least $144 million, contributing to a durable and diversified southwestern New Mexico economy.”
– Patrick Lane, senior manager of the U.S. conservation project at The Pew Charitable Trusts     

“Despite the many threats facing our public lands and protected areas in the current political climate, the Gila Wild and Scenic bill going again before the Senate ENR Committee shows that our champions in Congress are still fighting not only to protect our wild lands and rivers, but also grant them the highest protections possible. We’re excited that through their leadership and the ever-growing support in the community, that the Gila bill is still gaining momentum.”
– Luke Koenig, Gila Grassroots Organizer for New Mexico Wild

“Momentum to protect New Mexico’s last free-flowing rivers has stood the test of time. The unique and locally driven bill has been introduced every Congress since 2020, championed by New Mexico’s leaders in D.C. Continued support from local communities and river lovers will be key to get the Gila across the finish line once and for all. We applaud Senator Heinrich for getting the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act in front of the Senate once again and we won’t stop working until the Gila, San Francisco and their key tributaries are protected for future generations.”
– Kestrel Kunz, Southern Rockies Protection Director for American Whitewater 

The Gila river is a literal “ribbon of life” in the Southwest. Its main flow, and the hundreds of miles of additional creeks and waterways that will be protected in this landmark bill, provide the foundation for the abundant wildlife and biodiversity found throughout the Gila. In moving this legislation forward, we move one step closer to protecting this national treasure-the Gila river-as free and wild forever.
-Patrice Mutchnick, Director, Heart of the Gila