The destruction of habitat along the Newmexas and Montoya Drains in El Paso's Upper Valley by environmental criminal, Chuy Reyes, and the El Paso County Water Improvement District #1 has possibly destroyed not only migratory birds such as hummingbirds and grackles, but the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.
Interestingly, a channelization project was set to begin later in the fall near the terminus of the Montoya Drain at the Rio Grande near the El Paso Electric Plant. The project's guidelines call for sensitivity not only to migratory birds but also to the Willow Flycatcher. The project was/is set to start on September 15, 2013 - after nesting season. There is also mention of a proposed wetland habitat project. In other words, Chuy Reyes and the WID were already aware of the bird nesting issues prior to their extreme destruction of vegetation and habitat along the drain.
Here is a copy of the 2013 Channelization Project:
If you are outraged (and you should be), then ask the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to investigate now. The FWS staffer that enforces the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is Delivan Roper. Please contact him to discuss limitations on vegetation removal during the nesting season. Here is his contact information:
Delivan Roper
USFWS
Law Enforcement
575-382-2177, ext. 107
delivan_roper@fws.gov
5686 Santa Gertrudis Drive
Las Cruces, NM 88012
For further reading:
A Natural History Summary and Survey Protocol for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Note Figure 8, p. 11 showing nesting and breeding season; also see pictures of habitat including salt cedars.)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Species Profile of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
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