Catwalk National Recreation Area, April 22, 2014

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who both serve on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, toured the Catwalk National Recreation Area to discuss the damage caused by severe flooding last year and the work the Gila and U.S. Department of Transportation are doing to restore the trail to ensure it is safe for visitors to use again. Senator Heinrich stressed the need to repair the trail so it can help boost tourism and grow the region’s economy. The senators were joined by U.S. Forest Service staff and local business owners. The visit was part of Senators Heinrich and Flake's day-long tour in Arizona and New Mexico focused on their bipartisan efforts to address catastrophic wildfire prevention and recovery needs along the states' neighboring border and across the country.

UPDATE: On May 1, 2014, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the Federal Highway Administration will provide $4.4 million in funding from the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program to restore the Catwalk Trail in the Gila National Forest. Read more.