Terence Corrigan – The Independent
HON-DAH — Proposed changes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife gray wolf reintroduction and management plans offers something for folks on both sides of the controversial issue to dislike.
Even the plans for public hearings on the proposals drew vehement criticism for failing to include a hearing in Arizona where wolves are initially released and most of the program’s activity takes place. The agency had initially scheduled hearings in Washington, DC, Albuquerque and Sacramento, Calif. Following the government shutdown, apparently in response to the howls of complaint, Fish and Wildlife has now scheduled a hearing in Denver, Colo. and one in Arizona in addition to the Sacramento and Albuquerque sessions. The hearing in Denver is set for Nov. 19, Albuquerque is set for Nov. 20; and Sacramento is Nov. 22.
Fish and Wildlife’s hearing in Arizona is set for Dec. 3 at the Hon-Dah Resort Casino Conference Center. The meeting is a two-part session. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. there will be an informational presentation. The public hearing part of the session will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.
Apparently in acknowledgement of the controversy surrounding the wolf reintroduction program, Fish and Wildlife is imposing security measures at the hearings including metal detectors, visual inspection of purses and bags and anyone in costume will be asked to remove masks or other head coverings and pass through a metal detector. No one will be allowed to bring in food, beverages or weapons.
The agency is proposing to lift Endangered Species Act protection of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies and the Great Lakes region, retaining federal protection only for the Mexican gray wolf which the agency now says is a sub-species. Not surprisingly, environmental groups are vigorously opposing the de-listing of the northern gray wolves.
The estimated population of gray wolves in the lower 48 states of the U.S. is 6,181 in three distinct populations: Northern Rockies, 1,674; the western Great Lakes, 4,432; and the population of the Mexican gray wolf in Arizona and New Mexico is estimated to be at least 75. There are also some 300 Mexican wolves held in captivity at facilities around the nation. It is estimated that there are 70,000 gray wolves in North America, most are in Canada and Alaska.
In addition to the listing changes, Fish and Wildlife is proposing changes to the way it manages the Mexican gray wolves: greatly expanding the area where the wolves may be initially released, expanding the range where they may live and some minor changes to the rules, some of which would clarify or relax the rules on killing the animals in defense of pets and livestock.
The proposed rule changes would expand the area for wolves to range to include the southern two-thirds of Arizona and New Mexico. Currently the range includes only the Apache and Gila forests.
Opponents of the wolf program – primarily hunting clubs and organizations, ranchers and their allies – object to any hint of an expansion of wolf numbers or territory.
The two proposed changes were published in the Federal Register on June 13. The public comment periods that were due to close on Sept. 11 have now been extended through 11:59 p.m. Dec. 17. Oral comments will be recorded at the hearings. To learn more about the proposed rules, view the draft Federal Register notice with the details of the public hearings, and for links to submit comments to the public record, visit www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery
(To see the complete Fish and Wildlife documents, as published on the Federal Register, on the proposed changes see this story on wmicentral.com)