New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Grant for Middle Rio Grande Biological Opinion Implementation Support

A new Biological Opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) was issued to Reclamation on December 2, 2016.  The State of New Mexico, through the Office of the State Engineer, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC), and the Attorney General’s Office, participated in this consultation to obtain Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage for their water-related actions.  As a partner in the BO, the NMISC’s assistance with implementing requirements of the BO is essential to maintaining ESA compliance.  NMISC will provide services to Reclamation to jointly accomplish habitat restoration, fish passage, adaptive management, monitoring, data collection, and coordination with the numerous stakeholders on the Middle Rio Grande.  This support and assistance serves the public’s interest by conserving and protecting the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher, and the threatened Western yellow-billed cuckoo on the Middle Rio Grande.