During the recent Wild and Scenic Rivers Hill week, two residents of Grant County traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators to ensure long term protection of the Gila River. Nicholas Saiz and Elysha Montoya joined members of the Fort Sill-Chiricahua-Warm Springs-Apache Tribe and met with many of New Mexico's congressional members including Senator Ben Ray Luján and Congressman Vasquez. All 10 community members attending the meetings urged passage of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act.
Growing up, Montoya visited the Gila often with family and friends and says she now takes her own kids there as much as she can. "It's important for the Gila to be protected as a Wild and Scenic river so future generations can experience this special place. Protection would help ensure that diversions and dams are no longer a threat. There are thousands of people like me who have a deep connection to the Gila, and I hope that by sharing our stories, lawmakers will better understand why we need to protect the wild places we have left. The Gila asks nothing from us, yet gives so much life-protecting it is the least we can do." Montoya said.
The bill has been introduced four times- most recently, in March of 2025 when the legislation was introduced by the entire New Mexico delegation and passed with bipartisan support out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in July 2023. "The bill designates only river segments that are publicly owned and allows for traditional and current uses of the waterways. Protecting the river's critical wildlife habitat supports expanded hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities and helps grow New Mexico's sustainable outdoor recreation economy," according to Patrice Mutchnick, Director of Heart of the Gila and a member of a Grant County coalition of organizations and businesses that support the legislation.
According to Saiz, who grew up in Sheldon, Arizona, located right on the banks of the Gila River, speaking up for the river is part of a family tradition. "My grandma taught us how to fish, and every year we'd have a big fish fry. Those days meant everything to me. The Gila fed us, brought us together, and gave me memories I'll carry forever. I'm not a politician or a big-name advocate. I'm just someone who grew up on this river and understands what it means to protect something before it's too late."
