New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Contact: Ross Morgan, (505) 222-4707
ross.morgan@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MARCH 7, 2008
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING, FISHING SEASONS
PUBLIC MEETING WILL ADDRESS RECOVERY PLAN FOR PECOS RIVER SUCKERS
RECOVERY PLAN FOR IMPERILED RODENTS READY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
EXPECT ROADBLOCKS STATEWIDE DURING HUNTING, FISHING SEASONS
The Department of Game and Fish will conduct roadblocks throughout the state during spring and fall hunting seasons in an effort to collect harvest data and to apprehend wildlife law violators.
Department officers may be assisted by other law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Police or county sheriff's departments. As a result, hunters may encounter minor delays.
To report a wildlife-law violation, please contact your local Department of Game and Fish conservation officer or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-432-GAME (4263). Callers can remain anonymous and earn rewards for information leading to charges being filed.
PUBLIC MEETING WILL ADDRESS RECOVERY PLAN FOR PECOS RIVER SUCKERS
CARLSBAD -- The Department of Game and Fish will discuss development of a recovery plan for the blue sucker and the gray redhorse, species native to the lower Pecos River drainage, at a public meeting April 1 in Carlsbad.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office, 620 E. Green St.
The blue sucker (Cycleptus elongates) is listed as endangered and the gray redhorse (Moxostoma congestum) as threatened in New Mexico. Blue suckers typically inhabit swift deep areas in larger rivers and can attain lengths over two feet. Gray redhorse suckers are smaller, up to 1½ feet in length, and are found in deep, slow water, including impoundments. Recent toxic outbreaks of golden algae have drastically reduced or eliminated populations of blue sucker and gray redhorse in the Pecos River. A long-term life history study of the species is available on the Department website, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation/documents/documents/FinalBSGRReport_2000-2006.pdf
The Wildlife Conservation Act requires a recovery plan for restoration and maintenance of each state-listed species in New Mexico. At the meeting, the Department also will recruit members of an advisory committee to assist in development of the plan.
A copy of the agenda and more information about the blue sucker and the gray redhorse is available from Stephanie Carman, Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; (505) 476-8128, or stephanie.carman@state.nm.us.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Shirley Baker at (505) 476-8030, at least 3 working days before the set meeting date. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes can be provided in various accessible forms. Please contact Baker if a summary or other type of accessible form is needed.
RECOVERY PLAN FOR IMPERILED RODENTS READY FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
A recovery plan for two state-endangered riparian rodents, the meadow jumping mouse and the Arizona montane vole is ready for public review and will be presented to the State Game Commission at its meeting April 11 in Santa Rosa.
The meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius) is found in the Jemez, Sangre de Cristo, Sacramento, and potentially the San Juan mountains. Recent surveys indicated a 67 to 91 percent decline in populations throughout the state. The Arizona montane vole (Microtus montanus arizonensis) is found in a very small region in Catron County.
The recovery plan was developed by the Department of Game and Fish and an advisory committee of individuals representing private and public interests. It can be found on the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us by clicking on the "conservation" tab.
Comments about the plan can be sent to Leland Pierce, Department of Game and Fish, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504; (505) 476-8101; leland.pierce@state.nm.us; of fax to (505) 476-8128.
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