Ann Kirkpatrick: “The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recently published notice of two proposed rules. The first is to delist the…”

“The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recently published notice of two proposed rules. The first is to delist the gray wolf and list the Mexican wolf as endangered. The second is to consider expansion of the geographic boundaries of the Mexican wolf experimental population area in Arizona and New Mexico, as well as modification of the 10(j) rule for managing the experimental Mexican wolf population. Much of the area in consideration is in Arizona's First District, which I represent. The Service has not scheduled a hearing of these proposed rules in Arizona, where folks live and work on these multiple-use rural landscapes. It is imperative that the Service hold hearings in Arizona, close to the areas that are most affected by these proposals, and that there be adequate time to analyze and submit comments. It is equally imperative that the Service continue to work with, as a partner and cooperating agency, the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This is the boots-on-the-ground State agency the Service has depended on the most in managing the Mexican wolf program. ____________________”