NMSGC minutes

Chairman Carter of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission welcomed the New Mexico State Game Commission in joining them for discussion on Mexican Wolf Recovery and Reintroduction. Both Commission’s were informed the National Public Radio and Voice of America would be taping the meeting.

Chairman Carter requested a photograph of both Commission’s be taken

Chairman Carter requested introduction of Commission members. Introduction made.

Arizona State Game Commission

Joe Carter, Chairman, Safford

Susan E. Chilton, Vice Chair, Arivaca

W. Hays Gilstrap, Commission Member, Phoenix

Joe Melton, Commission Member, Yuma

Michael M. Golightly, Commission Member, Flagstaff

Duane L. Shroufe, Director and Secretary to the Commission

Steve K. Ferrell, Deputy Director

NM State Game Commission

Tom Arvas, Chairman – Albuquerque

Alfredo Montoya, Vice Chair, Northwest and North central representative

David Henderson, Commission Member, Santa Fe

Jennifer Montoya, Commission Member, Las Cruces

Guy Riordan, Commission Member, Albuquerque

Bruce Thompson, Director and Secretary to the Commission, Santa Fe

The audience was reminded to fill out a speaker request card if they wished to comment before the Commission, also comments would be limited to 3 minutes.

NEW MEXICO STATE GAME COMMISSION

AGENDA ITEM NO. 1. Meeting Called to Order

The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. 3:30 P.M. New Mexico time

AGENDA ITEM NO. 2. Roll Call

Director Thompson called roll:

Chairman Tom Arvas - Present

Commissioner David Henderson - Present

Commissioner Alfredo Montoya - Present

Commissioner Jennifer Montoya - Present

Commissioner Peter Pino - Absent

Commissioner Guy Riordan - Present

Commissioner Leo Sims - Absent

Director Thompson stated that there is a quorum.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 3. Approval of Minutes (April 3, 2003)

MOTION: Commissioner Alfredo Montoya moved to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Sims.

VOTE: Voice call vote taken. All present voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.

Chairman Carter introduced Duane L. Shroufe, Director and Secretary to the Commission.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 4. Discussion with Arizona Game and Fish Commission Commission regarding Mexican Wolf Recovery and Reintroduction.

Presented by Terry B. Johnson, Chief, Non-game and Endangered Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Commission’s were briefed on progress in addressing issues regarding Mexican Wolf Reintroduction in West Central New Mexico and East-Central Arizona.

In separate public sessions during September 2002, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and the NM State Game Commission passed motions providing guidance to the two agencies on changes they deemed necessary in Mexican wolf Recovery and Reintroduction, as they pertain to the States of Arizona and New Mexico. The direction was as follows:

1. The roles and functions of the Primary Cooperators (AGFD, NMDGF, FWS) must be restructured to ensure State participation, authorities, and responsibilities as reflected in today’s discussion (Commission meeting).

2. The administrative and adaptive management processes must be restructured to ensure opportunities for, and participation by, the full spectrum of stakeholders.

3. The Interagency Field Team response protocols must be restructured, and staff capacity must be enhanced, to ensure immediate response capability to, and resolution of, urgent operational issues, such as depredation incidents.

4. Project outreach must be restructured as necessary to address the Commission, Department, and public concerns expressed today.

5. All actions in the Project must be in strict compliance with any applicable, approved special rules, policies, protocols, management plans, and interagency agreements.

6. The Project’s review protocols and procedures must be restructured and improved to ensure that the 5-year review is effective and efficient, and an improvement over the 3-Year Review.

The Arizona Commission also:

1. Required its Department to resolve issues 1, 2, and 3 within 60 days of September 30, 2002, at the Primary Cooperator level, and that the changes and the issues they reflect be taken through the restructured Adaptive Management Process for stakeholder discussion and further refinement.

2. Directed its Department to restructure the Mexican wolf Reintroduction Project within 180 days of September 30, 2002, and report back to the Commission on the results of this effort in April 2003.

3. Reserved the right, if these issues are not resolved within the time frames outlined, to take further action on the department’s participation in this Project.

The two State agencies met with the Service on October 31, 2002 to discuss how to comply with the Commissions’ guidance. They resolved that the Recovery and Reintroduction components would be separated more clearly in future planning and implementation efforts.

The Service will disband the current MW Recovery Team and assemble a new one to revise the outdated current plan; The Service and the States will ensure that the revised Recovery Plan provides specific, measurable objectives for accomplishing downlisting and delisting the Mexican wolf; The Service will identify prospective Recovery Team members from the appropriate stakeholders range-wide and technical experts, with a clear understanding of the dichotomy between the Team’s role and the separate and distinct State-led Reintroduction effort.; the Service will focus its Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator on guiding and implementing the Recovery Program.

The Service is responsible for providing guidance and coordinated information to all interested parties relative to recovery of the Mexican wolf. The States and Tribes are responsible for conducting reintroduction efforts in such a manner that they contribute directly to recovery. Other federal, state, local, and private stakeholders have to some extent shared responsibilities, or at least significant stakes, in these areas. The intent of the current Primary Cooperators is to realign the Recovery and Reintroduction components so they are fully integrated, smoothly coordinated, and effective. This document begins, but does not complete progress toward achieving the direction that was given to the two State wildlife agencies by their respective Commission’s in September 2002. The Primary Cooperators will, however, complete this effort before March 31, 2003, through appropriate collaboration with Tribal and other interested parties.

Interagency Field Team Activities and updates on 2003 releases. Three releases are occurring this year: two in New Mexico (Miller Spring and Lilly Park) and one in Arizona (Maness Peak). One possible release on White Mountain Apache Tribe lands is under discussion. The WMAT has a similar public comment period and will go before the Tribal Council for a final decision.

The Miller Spring release occurred on April 18, from the acclimation pen in the Gila Wilderness. The female was pregnant at release. Because of the Wilderness Areas, there was no permittee to contact regarding this release.

NEPA process for the Maness Peak release site area will be completed in about three weeks. The forest Supervisor will then make a decision on the proposed action. The Forest Service has not identified any concerns regarding the Lilly Park release site at this time. The animal recently caught from San Carlos Apache Reservation will be reunited with pack, and be released with pack at this site.

Other IFT activities include a three-part pilot project looking at monitoring wolf food habits. The IFT was assessing the feasibility of conducting such a monitoring effort. The Adaptive Management Wolf Group discussions revolved around ensuring that this information is presented as a pilot project to test a methodology, rather than research that produced food habits information that can be extrapolated to other situations (i.e. the monitoring was conducted during a season when livestock were not present). The presentation also included status of wolves, results of a food analysis study, and outreach efforts.

USDA APHIS Wildlife Services depredation study status update. The purpose of the proposed study (which is still being designed) is to look at carnivore predation on an active grazing allotment. The concept is to radio ear tag all calves within a grazing allotment and identify losses to predators, including but not limited to wolves; and if predation is an issue, make alternative management recommendations to reduce losses. Meeting participants encouraged Wildlife Services to ensure the study is scientifically sound, with controls, consideration of different grazing regimes, and herd health assessments. Wildlife Services will provide the comment to the study designers.

Recovery Planning Update. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Team is being re-formed. The Team will review available data and make recommendations for down and de-listing criteria. With regard to the recent “distinct population segment” ruling on wolves, USFWS is not obligated to put wolves in all States in the Southwest population area. The Service is in the process of delisting three segments of the gray would population, but the Southwest portion, which includes portions of AZ, NM, TX, OK, UT, and Mexico, will remain endangered status. The reintroduction effort is Arizona and New Mexico will contribute toward recovery. USFW hopes to have the revised Recovery Plan completed in 18 months.

Johnson presented a power point presentation consisting of the following progress in implementing the 2002 Commission direction regarding management of Mexican wolf Recover and Reintroduction Efforts:

September 2002 Arizona Game and Fish Commission and New Mexico Game Commission direction.

1. The roles and functions for the primary cooperators must be restructured to ensure state participation, authorities, and responsibilities as reflected in today’s (Commission meeting) discussion. MOU will be brought to public in July meeting.

2. The administrative and adaptive management processes must be restructured to ensure opportunities for and participation by, the full spectrum of stakeholders.

3. The interagency field Team responses protocols must be restructured, and staff capacity must be enhanced to ensure immediate response capability to, and resolution of, urgent operational issues such as depredation incidents.

4. Project outreach must be restructured as necessary to address the commission, Department, and public concerns expressed today.

5. All actions in the Project must be in strict compliance with any applicable, approved special rules, policies, protocols, management plans, and interagency agreements.

6. The Project’s review protocols and procedures must be restructured and improved to ensure that the 5-Year Review is effective and efficient, and an improvement over the 3-Year Review

Johnson went on to say Arizona would like to make the Mexican wolf reintroduction project a true public-private partnership and help people understand that wolves are here. Agencies can manage them, or the courts can manage them and us.

Further stated was progress is being made in all areas, thanks to many people from many perspectives. The Primary Cooperators now also include: USFS, WMAT, and APHIS/WS.

Stakeholder participants have not increased, yet – Greenlee, Catron, and Sierra counties are at the table and it is hoped more will join. Progress is slow. Sometimes it takes more time to rebuild bridges, than to build them right the first time. It all revolves around trust, and we are trying to re-earn what we have lost. Johnson felt whether progress is sufficient is for the Commission to decide and the public is part of this process.

Chairman Carter recognized the Team that has been dealing with the project.

Richard Remington, Regional Supervisor, Pinetop, AZ

Dan Groebner, Arizona Game and Fish, Pinetop, AZ

Colleen Buchanan, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM

David Bergman, Wildlife Services, Phoenix, AZ

John Oakleaf, Fish and Wildlife Service, Alpine, AZ

Chuck Hays, NM Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM

Wally Murphy, US Forest Service, Region 3 Office, Albuquerque, NM

PUBLIC COMMENT:

David Bluestein, Chandler, AZ – Pleased both agencies have come together and is in favor of the wolf re-introduction.

Margaret Bohannen, President of Arizona Heritage Alliance, Scottsdale, AZ – In favor of wolf re-introduction. Suggested environmental education money from the heritage fund be used to educate public.

John Boretsky, Executive Director, NM Council of Outfitters and Guides, Albuquerque, NM – Asked Commission to be aware of the New Mexico hunting industry and economic concerns. Boretsky feels the industry is being asked to pay for wolf reintroduction. Economic viability to no economic viability (animals). If wolves ate rancher’s cows they would be reimbursed. If wolves eat elk the outfitters lose income. Boretsky felt it imperative in the process that the State’s and its citizens have not had a say, but they must have a say in the final management of the wolves on the ground.

Caren Cowen, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Albuquerque, NM – NM Cattle Growers have opposed wolf reintroduction from the beginning. They feel the members need to be a part of the process. A copy of their review was presented to the Commission’s. Requested the Commission look at investment and cost of what they are doing. Cowen stated the Commission’s needed to look at all that happens and figure a way to fix it before economics are destroyed in both states.

Perry Crampton, Flagstaff, AZ – Voiced that the animals belong to everyone and would like to see the wolves back. All should work together with the cattle growers, outfitters, etc.

Darry Dolan – In favor of Wolf Recovery and Reintroduction Program. Feels numbers could be better. Lift travel restriction on wolves and cross boundaries.

George LeMeh– In favor of wolf re-introduction.

Bobbie Holiday, Phoenix, AZ – In favor of wolf re-introduction. Encouraged Commission’s to encourage Wolf Recovery Plan.

Howard Hutchinson - Executive Director, Coalition of AZ/NM Counties – Feels rules are interpreted to meet Department’s desires. Not in favor of wolf reintroduction.

Tom Klumker, San Francisco River Outfitters – Feels his outfitting business will be affected by wolf re-introduction. Is not in favor of re-introduction. Few wolves currently in Gila wilderness already affecting elk herd population. Commission asked to protect hunting industry.

Chairman Arvas apologized to the Arizona Commission, but due to prior commitments, he along with Commissioner’s Alfredo Montoya and Guy Riordan would have to leave the meeting and return to New Mexico. The Arizona Commission was thanked for their hospitality.

Commissioner Jennifer Montoya was appointed to sit in as Chair.

The next New Mexico State Game Commission meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2003 and will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

MOTION: Commissioner Riordan moved to adjourn the New Mexico State Game Commission meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Jennifer Montoya.

VOTE: Voice call vote taken. All present voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.

New Mexico portion of meeting adjourned at 4:15 Mountain Standard Time.

________________________________________ ____________________________

Bruce C. Thompson, Secretary to the Commission Date

New Mexico State Game Commission

________________________________________ _____________________________

Tom Arvas, Chairman Date

New Mexico State Game Commission

Transcribed by: Verena Lopez