This project intends to develop a scientifically defensible environmental flow framework for 6 reaches of the mainstem RIO grande and RIO chama through new mexico to elephant butte reservoir by…

This project intends to develop a scientifically defensible environmental flow framework for 6 reaches of the mainstem RIO grande and RIO chama through new mexico to elephant butte reservoir by leveraging resources and the social infrastructure developed through the bureau of reclamation RIO grande basin study. This reach-scale flow quantification process largely focuses on aquatic and aquatic-dependent threatened and endangered species (t e). New mexico wilderness alliance CO-leads, with audubon southwest, the non-governmental organization (NGO) sectoral committee of the basin study, bringing together around 15 national and regional ngos. As part of the basin study tasks, the sectoral committee is identifying and developing community values related to ecological health and recreation environmental water needs signposts and thresholds to help determine when changes are occurring or have occurred in the system and identifying indicator species. This proposal intends to build off the basin studys work by further developing environmental flow hypotheses, vetting these hypotheses through a peer-review workshop that includes national and regional experts in environmental flows and new mexico waterways, and completing a synthesis report that provides justification for the recommended flow targets through discussion of existing literature and data, including annotated references. The project has the potential to further multiple DOI priorities, including making investments to support the administrations goal of creating millions of family-supporting and union jobs, working to conserve at least 30 each of our lands and waters by the year 2030, and centering equity and environmental justice . A deep understanding of the environmental flow needs in these reaches will help to identify where investments should be made to better protect biodiversity, improve access to recreation, and address the changing climate, as identified in dois top 5 listed priorities. IT can also potentially aid DOI to leverage natural climate solutions and give communities needed information to better protect their values and health of their watersheds. Both scientifically justifiable environmental flow numbers and the report synthesizing existing information will fill needed data gaps that can help inform future rmps and other management actions. The expected outcomes of this project are a) a report that synthesizes environmental flow needs, including the needs of identified indicator species (i.e. southwest willow flycatcher and RIO grande silvery minnow) and b) flow targets associated with instream flow needs to benefit healthy rivers, habitat, and support imperiled and native species. These products will provide a long-needed environmental flow framework for the RIO grande in new mexico which will assist with management decisions and trade-offs, as well as shape future policy initiatives and priorities and guide future investments of federal programs.