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Howl for Wolf Protection!
Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency responsible for protection and recovery of threatened and endangered species, is preparing a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and socio-economic assessment and a proposed rule amendment to the 1998 final rule that authorized the establishment of a "nonessential experimental population" of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The "nonessential experimental" designation allows for wolves to be killed or recaptured for a variety of reasons including preying on livestock (for which the owners are already compensated) or straying outside the recovery boundaries. The Sierra Club has long supported full protection of these wolves under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and would like to see the rule amended to allow for conservation of the Mexican gray wolf as required by the ESA. We are asking that the US Fish and Wildlife Service consider classifying these wolves as "endangered" as it is clear the current classification is hindering their recovery. Also, the current management stipulations require wolves that have established home ranges outside the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) be removed and re-released into the BRWRA or taken into captivity. This aspect of wolf management has been counterproductive to wolves ``re-establishing a viable, self-sustaining population of at least 100 Mexican [gray] wolves'' (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1982, p. 23). We are asking that the rule be amended to allow wolves to establish territories outside the boundaries of the current recovery area. Furthermore, wolves can only be reintroduced directly into the primary reintroduction area in Arizona and cannot be reintroduced directly into New Mexico. We also are asking them to change this to allow for direct introductions into New Mexico. The bottom line is the wolves need stronger protections and more room to roam. We should object to provisions to allow livestock interests or others who object to wolf recovery to "take" (kill) wolves. (Killing the animals is already allowed if an individual feels threatened, as unlikely and uncommon as that is.) As part of this rule revision process, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will be holding public scoping meetings. Please mark your calendars for one or more of the meetings and at a minimum plan to comment in support of wolves. As the meetings and the deadline get closer, we will be providing more detailed information. Below is a list of Arizona meeting dates, general locations, and times. Please mark your calendar.
The scoping comment deadline is December 31, 2007. Comments should be submitted directly to: Brian Millsap, State Administrator Alternatively, information presented at the 12 public scoping meetings can be viewed on a ``virtual public meeting'' Web site at http://www.mexicanwolfeis.org and comments can be submitted from the same Web site. Written comments may also be sent by facsimile to (505) 346-2542 or by e-mail to R2FWE_AL@fws.gov. For more information on how you can help the Mexican gray wolf, please contact the Sierra Club-Grand Canyon Chapter at (602) 253-8633 or grand.canyon.chapter@sierraclub.org. Thank you!
Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter, 202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004, (602) 253-8633 |
