OFFICIALS EXTEND COMMENT PERIOD
By Rosanne Boyett
Beacon Senior Staff Writer
CIBOLA COUNTY – The federal government is seeking citizens’ comments on a proposed Mexican wolf management plan, which could affect Zuni Mountain residents.
“We have scheduled a meeting with the permittees,” reported Mount Taylor District Ranger Matt Reidy. “Letters were mailed on Sept. 11 to the 18 people who hold grazing permits. There are 27 allotments and we want these folks to have information on the proposed changes.”
He pointed out that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the lead agency for this proposal, which affects Mexican wolf habitat.
“An important note is that while wolves have passed through or were removed from the Zuni Mountains in the past, under this proposed rule they would be allowed to stay (in the Zunis) and develop territories,” the ranger explained via email.
Reidy said plans include an Oct. 10 meeting with District staff including a biologist, and Cathy Taylor, Forest Service regional wolf recovery coordinator, and range permittees.
The meeting will be held at the District office on Lobo Canyon Road in Grants, according to Reidy, who added, “This is just to talk about what we know right now and to give folks information on how to make comments to Fish and Wildlife before the Oct. 28 deadline.”
Several potential alternatives to support reintroduction, including establishing a viable, self-sustaining population in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area, have been developed. The USFWS is also seeking recommendations for more effectively managing Mexican wolf populations throughout Arizona and New Mexico, according to USFWS officials.
“We want to start a dialogue and share information,” emphasized Reidy on Sept. 12. “This process is just beginning and we want to work closely with all District permittees.”
The 45-day public comment period began on Aug. 5 but recently was extended to Oct. 28.
“I think maybe the date was extended beyond the Sept. 19 deadline to give people more time to understand the issues involved,” theorized Reidy.
He noted that some Cibola County residents have already contacted the District office about the proposed rule changes.
“I’ve had several informal phone conversations recently with people who live in the Zunis,” recalled the Ranger. “Our job is to help folks understand the proposals so they can respond directly to USFWS within the comment period.”
Visit http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/NEPA 713.cfm or http://www.regulations.gov and search: FWS-R2-ES-2013-0098 for more information.
About the Mexican Wolf
The Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is a subspecies of the gray wolf. It is native to North America, where it is the rarest and most genetically distinct subspecies.
By the turn of the 20th century, reduction of natural prey like deer and elk caused many wolves to begin attacking domestic livestock, which led to intensive efforts by government agencies and individuals to eradicate the Mexican wolf.
These efforts were very successful, and by the 1950s the Mexican wolf had been eliminated from the wild.
Until recent times, these wolves have ranged the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts from central Mexico to western Texas, southern New Mexico, and central Arizona.
Recent studies completed by genetics experts show evidence of wolves establishing territories as far north as Colorado.
In 1976, the Mexican wolf was declared an endangered subspecies and has remained so ever since, according to online sources.