Public Hearings 17.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 09/10/2013
- Title:
- Mexican Wolf Discussion
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Rios, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Kim Mulhern
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Consultant
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Hold public meeting and record comments for input into Cochise County’s official comments on the Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf and give staff direction.
Background:
On June 13th, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed a new rule in the Federal Register for the Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf. Comments were originally due on September 19th, 2013, but, on September 5th, 2013, the comment period was extended to October 28th, 2013.
The Service is proposing to delist all Gray Wolf populations but is proposing to revise the Mexican Wolf nonessential experimental population rule. The main revisions may affect areas north of I-10 in Cochise County. The proposed rule would eliminate the primary and secondary recovery zones and allow releases into all areas north of I-10.
The Service is also considering an option that is currently not in the proposed rule to expand the Geographic Boundaries for the Mexican Wolf to the US/Mexico border in Arizona and New Mexico. This would affect all areas of Cochise County. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been concerned in recent years about the decreases in deer and antelope populations, so there is concern regarding the availability of sufficient large prey for all of the current predators in the area without the addition of Mexican wolves. Lack of prey would likely cause wolves to resort to preying on livestock, pets, and other non-traditional prey.
There are many other significant revisions proposed that will be described in a presentation prior to opening of the public comment period.
On July 25th, 2013, the County requested that a public hearing be scheduled for Cochise County. The Service has stated that it is depending on input received from the public in 2007 and that a public hearing will not be held in Cochise County until after the publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources: County personnel and consultants will be involved in preparation for and participation in the public meeting but are not anticipated to require additional time beyond what is currently budgeted for this support.
The Service is proposing to delist all Gray Wolf populations but is proposing to revise the Mexican Wolf nonessential experimental population rule. The main revisions may affect areas north of I-10 in Cochise County. The proposed rule would eliminate the primary and secondary recovery zones and allow releases into all areas north of I-10.
The Service is also considering an option that is currently not in the proposed rule to expand the Geographic Boundaries for the Mexican Wolf to the US/Mexico border in Arizona and New Mexico. This would affect all areas of Cochise County. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been concerned in recent years about the decreases in deer and antelope populations, so there is concern regarding the availability of sufficient large prey for all of the current predators in the area without the addition of Mexican wolves. Lack of prey would likely cause wolves to resort to preying on livestock, pets, and other non-traditional prey.
There are many other significant revisions proposed that will be described in a presentation prior to opening of the public comment period.
On July 25th, 2013, the County requested that a public hearing be scheduled for Cochise County. The Service has stated that it is depending on input received from the public in 2007 and that a public hearing will not be held in Cochise County until after the publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Fiscal Impact & Funding Sources: County personnel and consultants will be involved in preparation for and participation in the public meeting but are not anticipated to require additional time beyond what is currently budgeted for this support.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Transcribe public comments for use in the County’s official comments on the proposed rule that are due on or before October 28th, 2013.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
In the September 5th, 2013, Federal Register announcement, the Service indicated that their first public hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on September 30th, followed closely by hearings in Sacramento, CA, on October 2nd, and Albuquerque, NM, on October 4th. In order to participate in one of the public hearings, Cochise County citizens would have to travel long distances. The public meeting will permit citizens of Cochise County an opportunity to provide comments with only local travel required.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
n/a