Glenwood, NM, September 24, 2018.  

Forest Supervisor, Adam Mendonca has signed a Temporary Closure Order, Number 06-18-003 Native Fish Restoration Activity Closure Order, for the Catwalk Recreation Area. This closure order is effective from 8:00 a.m. October 10, 2018 through midnight on October 21, 2018, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. As part of the Gila Whitewater Trout Restoration Project, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) will be using rotenone to eradicate non-native fish from the waterways in Whitewater Canyon. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that rotenone is highly effective for selective removal of invasive fishes and that the resulting concentrations of ingredients poses little, if any, hazards to public health.

Once the rotenone has been introduced, the water will then be treated with a neutralizing agent, potassium permanganate, which prevents the treated water from being carried beyond the project area. It is Federal regulation that people cannot be near the water corridor while these treatment and neutralizing processes are in place. NMDGF will be treating the water from October 10 through October 21. The Gila National Forest expects to be able to open the entry gate to the Catwalk Recreation area after dark on Sunday, October 21 and allow visitors into the Catwalk. For information on the Gila National Forest, check out the website here.