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Regular Agenda Item 3. K.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Approve the June 24, 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Mexican Wolf Recovery and Management, the Addendum to the June 24, 2019 MOU for Mexican Wolf Recovery and Management and submit a letter of concurrence to the Addendum; and acceptance of Cooperating Agency Status to prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (sEIS) and designate the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO) Executive Director to represent Gila County in the 10(j) sEIS process. |
| Background Information |
On October 22, 2013, the Gila County Board of Supervisors approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and five Arizona Counties along with fourteen New Mexico Counties to establish Cooperating Agency Status with the USFWS to contribute to the preparation of an EIS on the Mexican Wolf nonessential experimental population rule and management plan. On November 26, 2013, the Board of Supervisors additionally approved an addendum to the 2010 Memorandum of Understanding for the ongoing on the ground management of the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) and specified that the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization and the individual county members jointly and individuals will participate in scoping and provide available information and resources for the development of proper NEPA documentation and the EIS, as well as providing guidance to the Middle Management Team (MMT). This began the process for what is referred to as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 2015 Mexican wolf nonessential experimental population 10(j) rule.
Since that time, the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization Director has participated in a variety of meetings with regards to the original development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the ongoing MMT meetings, and assisted with providing draft comments to the Gila County Board of Supervisors on this and other issues.
In January 2015, the USFWS published the Final Rule: Revision to the Regulations for the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). On March 30, 2018, the US District Court issued an order requiring the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to go through all the necessary steps to issue a new rule that is based on the best available science and advances the conservation and recovery of the Mexican wolf to the point where listing under the Endangered Species Act is no longer necessary. The USFWS has begun the process, and cooperator MOUs need to be renewed. This process was initiated with a new MOU final version dated June 24, 2019. |
| Evaluation |
“Gila County is a signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperative management of the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project developed and signed in 2010 by cooperating Federal, State, County, and Tribal agencies. The primary purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework for collaboration that is based in sound science and which enables the Signatories to develop a mutually agreeable, long-term collaboration in reintroduction of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico within the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area. This MOU was reinitiated in 2019.
An addendum to this MOU was developed for the signatory Federal, State, County, and Tribal entities to cooperatively prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (sEIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to revise the 2015 Mexican wolf nonessential experimental population rule.
The action requested is for the Gila County Board of Supervisors to approve the June 24, 2019, MOU and Addendum (attached) and for the County to designate the ECO Executive Director to represent the County in the supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Process, when the Board of Supervisors are not directly involved in the process. This is a continuation of actions authorized when revising of the 10(j) rule began in 2010. |
| Conclusion |
| It is advisable to keep involved in the long and ongoing processes, meetings, and workgroups related to revising the 2015 Mexican Wolf nonessential experimental population rule and to continue coordinating efforts and responses with our neighboring counties who are also impacted and affected by this process. |
| Recommendation |
| As a member county of the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization (ECO), Gila County has direct input into cooperatively preparing a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (sEIS) pursuant to the NEPA to revise the 2015 Mexican wolf nonessential experimental population rule. In addition, the Gila County Board of Supervisors has direct input into the process by submitting comments and concerns at each step. Designating the ECO Executive Director to represent Gila County in the sEIS process ensures that a designee of Gila County will continue to participate in the working group meetings and the management team activities throughout the process. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to approve the June 24, 2019 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Addendum to the June 24, 2019 MOU for Mexican Wolf Recovery and Management; and authorize the Chairman to sign the MOU and the concurrence letter to be attached to the MOU, which affirms designation of the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization Executive Director to represent Gila County when Gila County Supervisors are not directly involved. (Jacque Sanders) |
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