Restoration to begin along Rio Grande in NM, Texas

Work to restore river habitat at as many as 30 sites along the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and West Texas is scheduled to begin soon. The work is part of a program being implemented by the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Commission officials collaborated with the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, Audubon New Mexico and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to establish a voluntary program to acquire water and water rights to support the establishment of native trees, shrubs and grasslands. Officials call the program innovative and say it will be a key aspect of the commission's efforts to restore riparian areas along the river. Officials planned a ceremony Monday in the flood plain near the Picacho Bridge in Las Cruces.  AP