Pecos, New Mexico, US

1. Cowles to Pecos

Gauge Information

River Description

In April 2003, the Forest Service proposed a ban on all boating in the Wild and Scenic Corridor. Three months later, the Forest Service rejected this notion based directly on comments from American Whitewater. As a result of our work, and the work of our volunteers, boating will continue to be allowed on the Pecos.

The upper Pecos reaches flow through wooded high mountain canyons; the lower reaches flow through barren tablelands with bluffs and rugged rock formations. One of the best means for visitors to enjoy this scenery is by floating down the river on a raft, kayak, or canoe.

In his description of the river, American Whitewater member, Tom Robey said, I have kayaked this section several times. It is a fast moving class III+ usually runnable in May. It is unusual for New Mexico because it is forested with clear water. It's character is more like what would be expected of a Colorado creek. They have done quite a bit of modification at the beginning of the run with wing dams to create pools for fisherman. Below Terrero there is private property and fences. I have heard of problems but my experience with landowners is that we have been very welcome and fences are directed towards fisherman.

The Environmental Assessment for the Pecos Wild and Scenic River Forest Plan Amendment and Management Plan was released in 2003, thirteen years after its Wild and Scenic designation. The proposed plan banned all boating in the Wild and Scenic Corridor with the suggestion that it "can only be done in short sections along the river during periods of high water flow, which commonly does not occur. Prohibiting floating would therefore not be expected to displace many users and it would enhance fishing within the corridor."

Tom Robey (River Runners for Wilderness) noticed the public comment period for the management plan and Tim Scofield (Adobe Whitewater Club) discovered the prohibition on boating. Enlisting Jason Robertson's help at American Whitewater they undertook a campaign during Memorial Day weekend to send in comments.

In Robertson's response for American Whitewater he wrote, "This proposal appears inconsistent with Forest Service Policy, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Management Act (WSR), the National Environmental Policies Act (NEPA), and New Mexico's navigability laws. Many of our members have had the pleasure of rafting or kayaking on the Pecos through the National Forest, and we strongly encourage the Forest Service not to prohibit the use of rafts, boats, or other conveyances to float down the river but to continue to allow the use of rafts, kayaks, and canoes on the Pecos.

It is not Forest Service policy to ban recreational boating. At present there is only one recreational boating closure on a Wild & Scenic River. That closure is on the headwaters of the Chattooga River. American Whitewater is taking legal action to rectify this decision, which was made outside of NEPA and was based on undocumented social issues related to fishing. The decision is also being reviewed concurrently by the Agency and is expected to be resolved to allow seasonal boating access. There are a handful of other limited seasonal closures on Wild and Scenic Rivers, which are based on clearly defined and researched issues related to protection of threatened or endangered species. The decision to recommend a complete ban on boating on the Pecos does not meet the Agency policy to protect recreation and traditional historic access to America's rivers and streams; nor is it warranted for any identified environmental reasons.

The complete text of AW's comments, in which we also described the state's navigability laws and standards, are available at: www.americanwhitewater.org/archive/article/850/

American Whitewater convinced the Forest Service that the Pecos River was in fact navigable and would remain open. District Ranger, Joseph Reddan, stated "We agree with your position that the Pecos River is a navigable river and thus open to boating and floating." Reddan continued, "Therefore, we will be revising both the Environmental Assessment (EA), and the Wild and Scenic River Management Plan (W&SRMP) to not prohibit boating use."

As a result, the first item of the Decision Notice issued July 31st stated: "Revised the provision to allow floating use. The Standard now reads, 'The use of non-motorized rafts, boats, or other conveyances to float down the river is permitted. No additional facilities (put-ins, parking areas) will be constructed to facilitate floating'".

Thank you Tom Robey for looking out for the boating community!

A brief description of this reach and other NM streams can be accessed at http://southwestpaddler.com/indexNM.html.