The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is declining and its conservation status is "cause for concern" the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said today. After a review of this native fish's situation, the Service is recommending that the subspecies be formally proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. But the agency will not provide federal safeguards at this time.

Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday he'll consider
proposing a statutory protection for the Gila River in southwestern New
Mexico to block the construction of dams or water diversion projects on

The $12 million Seven Rivers pipeline about 15 miles northwest of Carlsbad is designed to deliver about 20,000 gallons of water per minute from 13 wells to c, according to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.