CLLA expands to include gray wolf depredations

The County Livestock Loss Authority (CLLA) will now accept claims of gray wolf depredations and discussed also including claims from all over the state while still facing financial uncertainty.

“It seems to me that there is a lot of upside to this, and the risks are primarily financial right now, but I think those are minimal because we’re getting ahead of the problem,” CLLA Chair and Catron County Representative Haydn Forward said.

The board unanimously agreed to a modified Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to reflect the addition of gray wolves to be sent to Socorro, Catron and Sierra counties for approval.

In July 2022 the three counties established a JPA between themselves to form the CLLA to address the disproportionate economic impacts of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program on local livestock producers, giving ranchers another source of compensation for livestock kills.

The CLLA makes payments for confirmed Mexican wolf depredations and conflict avoidance all based on formulas created in collaboration with John Oakleaf of US Fish and Wildlife and Dr. Kelly Ebert, Natural Resources Policy Analyst at New Mexico Department of Agriculture.

CLLA Vice Chair Tom Paterson who is also the president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association said he was in favor of the bylaw change and would support including claims from the whole state.

“The unfortunate reality is that gray wolves are now penetrating into New Mexico. Colorado has released 19 gray wolves,” Paterson said.

Paterson said one collared gray wolf was trapped by New Mexico Game and Fish per an agreement and returned to Colorado. Since the release,14 pups were born in the wild, but only four are collared. Colorado Parks and Wildlife representatives estimated 10 survived, meaning more wolves could enter New Mexico undetected until depredations or sightings occur, said Paterson.

“We didn’t ask for this, but it’s happening,” Paterson said. “What matters to me is that our Native American and our Hispanic producers, and all producers who received damage from gray wolves, as well as Mexican wolves north of I‑40, that they’re all being compensated for their damages.”

Forward said if they did include the whole state it could also present an opportunity to expand discussions with counties north of I-40.

“There is a need, obviously, to compensate our producers for wolf depredations. Our financing channels up to this point, haven’t included any additional costs with gray wolves, but we know that that’s in our future, so at some point it needs to be included, and probably the earlier, the better,” Forward said, “It will give us opportunity to speak with our legislation about increasing the dollars that are needed for depredation compensation.”

Danny Monette, CLLA member representing Socorro County, said he recently spoke with State Sen. Crystal Brantley (R) and State Rep. Gail Armstrong (R) and both showed support to expand the bylaws.

The board also agreed to continue discussions on expanding their reach for claims and to update bylaws to reflect education and outreach efforts.

“If we have in writing, in our bylaws, that we are pursuing educational programs, perhaps legislators would see that as a positive and our request for financing may be benefited,” Forward said.

Financial Report

CLLA Administrator Deb Mahler said the 2024 legislature appropriation of$1.5 million has $735,557 remaining.

“In eight months, we’ve gone through half of that three year-appropriation,” Mahler said.

Forward said it was an eye opener to hear the report.

“I think that’s an indication of the challenge we’re going to have moving ahead,” Forward said.

Last year many ranchers complained about the delayed depredations payments. In response to a question regarding the current payment speed to producers, Mahler said after receiving a complete application she usually creates an invoice within 24 hours and a check is printed within about a week, sometimes as quickly as four days.

Between December and January, she paid 22 claims, a mix of confirmed and probable wolf depredations; some of those 22 claims were from earlier in the year.

In other business, the board discussed a new equine policy raising ranch horse maximum depredation payments from $7,500 to $10,000 and performance horse maximum from $15,000 to $16,000. They agreed to have Mahler draft a policy for a formal vote at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be held 10 a.m. on May 15 at the Catron County Fire Administration Building in Reserve.