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| ARF- 2546 |
Regular Agenda Item 3. F.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Endorse and support the Mexican Wolf 10(j) Revision Cooperating Agencies Alternative and authorize a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requesting formal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consistency Review for the Mexican Wolf 10(j) Revision Cooperating Agencies Alternative. |
| Background Information |
The Gila County Board of Supervisors has been very involved in the ongoing process regarding the proposed revisions to the management of the Nonessential Experimental population of the Mexican wolf, most recently begun on June 13, 2013, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s proposals to revise the nonessential experimental designation and management of the Mexican wolf. On September 17, 2013, the Gila County Board of Supervisors submitted official comments regarding the Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican wolf and the implementation of a management plan. On October 22, 2013, the Board submitted comments regarding the proposed revision to the Mexican wolf 10(j) nonessential experimental population rule, and approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish Cooperating Agency status. On November 26, 2013, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperative management of the Mexican wolf Reintroduction Project.
Following approval of the MOU establishing Cooperating Agency Status for Gila County, along with the MOU establishing Gila County as a member of the cooperative management of the Mexican wolf Reintroduction Project, staff from Gila County as well as staff from the Eastern Counties Organization has been very involved in the development of an acceptable alternative to the four alternatives presented in the Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement “Proposed Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of Mexican Wolves” dated August 2, 2013. |
| Evaluation |
| The Ad Hoc Mexican Wolf Stakeholders Coalition group has spent several months developing this Alternative. The purpose of the Cooperating Agencies Alternative is to describe approaches that are based in a sound understanding of the biological, social and wildlife management realities in the areas of Arizona and New Mexico that can best contribute to range-wide Mexican wolf recovery, while sustaining other legitimate uses of public and private lands. Many of these approaches have been recommended in the past by State wildlife agencies, local governments and by the USFWS’s own reviews of Mexican wolf reintroduction (i.e. 2001, 2002 and 2005). Some are new to USFWS Region 2 but for the most part they are based on approaches taken by other USFWS regions for a variety of species. All reflect the legal mandates and responsibilities that State and Tribal wildlife agencies have as stewards of the species that occur within their jurisdictions. |
| Conclusion |
The Cooperating Agencies Alternative has been introduced in compliance with NEPA requirements by Greenlee County at the April 15, 2014, Cooperating Agencies' meeting. As an additional step in this process, each of the entities and organizations that make up the Cooperating Agencies group, and that have had a part in developing this alternative are being asked to officially endorse the alternative and request formal NEPA Consistency Review of this alternative.
Gila County is committed to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Arizona and New Mexico Counties, Tribal Authorities, industry and recreation stakeholders, and the Arizona and New Mexico communities to design, implement and monitor an ecologically, economically and socially responsible Mexican Wolf recovery effort, while preserving the custom, cultures, economic well-being, health and safety of the county members residents and visitors. |
| Recommendation |
| Staff recommends that the Gila County Board of Supervisors officially endorse and support the Cooperating Agencies Alternative developed collaboratively by the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization and the Ad Hoc Mexican Wolf Stakeholders Coalition; formally endorsed by the unanimous vote of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission; introduced in compliance with the NEPA requirements by Greenlee County at the April 15, 2014, Cooperating Agencies' meeting, and supported by over twenty (20) industry, sportsmen, conservation and recreation associations and groups, and to approve a letter to the Southwest Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requesting formal NEPA Consistency review for the Mexican Wolf 10(j) Revision Cooperating Agencies Alternative. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Information/Discussion/Action to endorse and support the Mexican Wolf 10(j) Revision Cooperating Agencies Alternative, and submit a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requesting formal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Consistency Review for the Mexican Wolf 10(j) Revision Cooperating Agencies Alternative. (Jacque Griffin) |
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