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Media Advisory: Mexican Gray Wolf Hearings in Arizona, New Mexico Expected to Draw Hundreds
Media Advisory, August 8, 2014
Contact: Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, (575) 313-7017
Mexican Gray Wolf Hearings in Arizona, New Mexico Expected to Draw Hundreds
Proposed Changes Would Expand Wolf Habitat but Enable Increased Wolf-killing
SILVER CITY, N.M.— Large turnouts are expected at two upcoming public hearings on proposed changes to the Mexican wolf management plan, including expansion of the wolf-management areas in Arizona and New Mexico.
The hearings, Aug. 11 in Pinetop, Ariz., and Aug. 13 in Truth or Consequences, N.M., will be the final opportunity for verbal testimony on proposed changes to management of the endangered Mexican gray wolf population in the two states. Public hearings last year in Albuquerque and Pinetop drew a total of around 1,000 people, most of whom were not allotted time to speak.
As determined by a settlement agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must complete its rule-making on changes to the Mexican wolf management plan by Jan. 12, 2015.
The Fish and Wildlife Service public hearings and preceding “informational sessions,” will be held:
Aug. 11 at Hon-Dah Conference Center, 777 Highway 260, Pinetop, Ariz.
2 — 4 p.m.: Public informational session
6 — 9 p.m.: Public hearing
Aug. 13 at the Civic Center, 400 West Fourth St., Truth or Consequences, N.M.
2 — 4 p.m.: Public informational session
6 — 9 p.m.: Public hearing
The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to allow captive-bred wolves to be released into the Gila National Forest in New Mexico, and other suitable habitats, which would address a crisis of inbreeding, and proposes to increase by a factor of 15 the area that wolves can roam.
But as proposed, those science-based reforms would be coupled with provisions that would allow increased federal, state and private trapping and shooting of wolves, contrary to studies that show that more wolves must be allowed to live in the wild.
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 775,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE USFWS PROPOSAL AND UPCOMING HEARINGS, CLICK HERE.
Written comments on the proposed rule change will be accepted until September 23, 2014.
Submit your comments electronically here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-2013-0056-6056
Or by U.S. mail or hand delivery to:
Public Comments
Processing, Attn: FWS—R2—ES—2013—
0056; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Headquarters, MS: BPHC, 5275
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041—3803.
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Photo credit: Amber Legras
