Wednesday, July 16, 2008

County hesitates to make wolf pact

Evelyn Cronce El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offered an agreement with Socorro County, among others, which asked for cooperation and participation of policy documentation. The service is looking at changes to the Mexican Gray Wolf Program. Commissioners continued discussion at their July 8 meeting, but expressed uncertainty about signing such an agreement.

Socorro County Attorney Adren Nance explained the service is asking for county participation, not money. He said the agreement would require staffing and document review to help with National Environment Policy Act compliance with the project.

"It's a lot of work," he said, "but we get to have more say (about the project) than we would normally."

Commissioner Rosie Tripp said she doesn't believe the constituents in the western part of the county would want the commission to sign such an agreement.

"I think it's a double-edged sword. I don't think we should be going with this," she said.

Commission Chairman Jay Santillanes said he thinks the commission needs to be very cautious about the agreement. He said the agreement would give the county government a voice in the process, but that would in no way obligate the federal government to do what the county government wants. In the end, the federal government will make the final decisions and the county will have to abide by it whether or not they agree.

Commissioner Stanley Herrera said there are already wolves from the San Mateo Pack running around in the Magdalena Mountains and this could affect more of the county.

"Maybe we need a voice in this," he said. "We can't ignore it."

No action was taken on the agreement while commissioners continue to consider the matter.

Commissioners attended to several other matters at the meeting: