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Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 22 May 2016 22 May 2016

RESERVE, NM; May 22, 2016 - Construction has started on the Willow Creek fish barrier project on the Reserve Ranger District. The project is located just east of Forest Road 28/New Mexico State Road 159 and north of the Gila Wilderness boundary. The public is advised to use caution while traveling on Forest Road 28 from the junction of the Snow Lake Rd. (CO21) to Willow Creek as heavy equipment will be in this area over the next two months.

The project is intended to contribute to the recovery of the federally-threatened Gila trout by constructing a permanent fish passage barrier along 10 miles of Willow Creek to eliminate upstream passage of non-native trout species.

The project is funded by the US Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration and State Wildlife Grants programs, the Western Native Trout Initiative and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Reserve District Ranger John Pierson signed the decision May 10, 2016.

For more information, please contact the Reserve Ranger District at (575) 533-6232.