Environmental Benefits
Besides economic and social benefits, this project will generate environmental benefits too. Recovering salinized lands aids to regenerate the environmental processes in the region and to diminish the damages caused by salt and erosion.
Due to the construction of the dams system that controls and distributes the water of the Colorado River in the USA and Mexico, the fresh-water flows to the delta have been little and almost non-existent in the Gulf of California since approximately 1960. This situation has caused various ecological damages, including a reduction of the total area of wetlands, the invasion of non-native species and a reduction of habitat for species in danger of extinction.
During the past few years some excessive flows have arrived at the delta and advantage has been taken of agricultural drainage water. This has initiated a process of natural restoration, promoting the re-establishment of the native vegetation in several areas.
The Colorado River Delta is still the largest desert estuary of North America. These wetlands are one of the richest ecosystems and have ecological importance for the entire region of the Low River basin of the Colorado River, the Sonora Desert and the High Gulf of California. They provide habitat for migratory and resident aquatic birds, marsh birds and endemic species, including species in danger of extinction. The Ciénega de Santa Clara, located to a great extent within the Ejido Luis Encinas Johnson, is one of the most important wetlands in the delta.
Approximately 10% of the Ejido plantation is destined to the restoration of the environment, including wetlands and Mesquite forest. The idea is to provide habitat to wild life and create a natural zone that complements the Ciénega de Santa Clara.
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