Restoration of Hunters Hole a binational project

  SAN LUIS, Ariz. - The environmental project to restore the lower part of the Colorado River on the border between Mexico and the United States went from paper to actual hands-on work that included supporters and volunteers from both sides of the border.

 The cleanup of the area known as Hunters Hole started Nov. 1 on the river's edge west of San Luis, Ariz.

 There the Border Patrol Explorers group, together with students from Arizona Western College and Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC), worked by picking up trash, metals and other vegetation that is not native to the area. It makes way for the planting of a species native to this zone, allowing for the future recuperation of the habitat and numerous animal species that at one time lived in this area.

 Fred Phillips, consultant for the U.S. side, said they were able to obtain funds from the Arizona Water Protection Fund for $640,000 to clean up the area.

  "We will be cleaning a large portion of that area in the next six months. Those funds are very important, because up to now we had only had funds for small things, but not to work the land," Phillips said.

 "Since June of this year we have been awaiting this moment, and now it has become a reality between the two countries. Up to now, all we had been doing was talking and meeting. On this weekend, two countries are finally working together to help it become a reality."

 AWC will use a $10,000 grant received from Arizona Game and Fish for planting of trees and for the reproduction of fish, according to Ted Martinez, coordinator for the group of students from AWC.

 The work began at Colonia Miguel Aleman, situated right on the Colorado River in Baja California, where volunteers initiated the construction of a nursery to reproduce native plants in this zone. The plants will later be transplanted to the Mexican side of the river.

 Osvel Hinojosa, coordinator for the project in Mexico, said the vegetation that will be reproduced in that area are mesquite, alamo, willow, palo verde and ironwood trees.

 He said the long-term goal is to restore 741 acres of humid soil, representing the recuperation of more than 360 varieties of animals and vegetation and 200 species of birds.

 "We estimate the harm to the habitat is 60 to 80 percent, but with these actions we expect to recuperate gradually," Hinojosa said.

 The greenhouse project began on property rented to the supporters by families of the farmers, a few feet away from the river. The project in Yuma is spearheaded by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, and in Mexico by the environmental organization ProNatura.