New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Dan Williams, (505) 476-8004
Public contact: (505) 476-8000
dan.williams@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JULY 16, 2007:
WATERFOWL, UPLAND GAME RULES, STATE LAND LEASE
ON GAME COMMISSION AGENDA
LAKE ROBERTS' AGING DAM WILL BE TOPIC AT OPEN-HOUSE FORUMS
PUBLIC MEETINGS WILL ADDRESS PLAN TO RESTORE IMPERILED
RODENTS
EDUCATION, FUN ON TAP JULY 21 AT VALLE VIDAL YOUTH AND
APPRECIATION DAY
WATERFOWL, UPLAND GAME RULES, STATE LAND LEASE
ON GAME COMMISSION AGENDA
GALLUP -- The New Mexico Game Commission will approve rules for 2007-2008 waterfowl and upland game seasons and renew a lease that allows public access of State Trust Lands for hunting, fishing and trapping during its meeting July 18 in Gallup .
The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, in the gymnasium of the University of New Mexico Campus in Gallup . The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings, and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by calling (505) 476-8008.
- Discussion and adoption of amendments to the 2007-2008 rules for upland
game and waterfowl seasons. The amendments include some changes in season
dates, hunting opportunities, bag limit modifications, and adjustments necessary
to coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks on migratory
species. Proposed rule changes include a requirement that one fully feathered
wing from every Eurasian collared dove must remain attached to the bird until
it arrives at the hunter's home or a processing facility; and a requirement
that all grouse hunters obtain a free permit.
- Approval of an easement lease with the State Land Office that allows
access to State Trust Lands for hunting, fishing and trapping activities.
- A review of a Mexican wolf interdiction program being developed by
the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider providing
additional tools for diminishing some social and economic effects of Mexican
wolf restoration efforts.
- A presentation of a preliminary evaluation of elk demographics in
and around the Blue Range Wolf Restoration Area, impacts of wolves on elk
populations, and possible management options for both species.
- A proposal to approve recommendations from five citizen advisory committees
for distribution of $1.2 million in Habitat Stamp Program funds for a list
of statewide projects in 2008; and to approve a tentative list of projects
for 2009. Hunters, anglers and trappers who use U.S. Forest Service and Bureau
of Land Management lands are required to purchase one $5 stamp each year,
with the money to be used for habitat improvement work.
- Discussion of draft rules for special wildlife enhancement hunting
authorizations approved by the 2007 Legislature and signed by Governor Bill
Richardson. The legislation allows the governor to make available up to 12
big-game special authorizations and 12 game-bird or trophy fish authorizations
each year. The authorizations will be auctioned at special events called by
the governor. The 2007 legislation also allows the creation of two Grand Slam
permits to be auctioned each year to the highest bidder. The Grand Slam packages
will allow hunters to take a combination of one elk, one oryx, one ibex, one
deer and one antelope. Funds collected will be used to enhance, conserve and
protect big-game habitat statewide.
- A request to use part of the 2005 Legislature's $5 million Land Conservation
Appropriation to purchase the 5,281-acre Lewis Ranch in Roosevelt County.
Acquisition of the property will provide opportunities for recreation and
additional habitat for lesser prairie chickens while protecting it from development.
- A review of the current $6 non-refundable application fee for processing of online applications for special hunt drawings. The Department will provide the Commission with an overview of costs associated with processing applications as part of ongoing assessments of whether adjustments are needed.
The New Mexico Game Commission is composed of seven members who represent the state's diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Current members are Chairman Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; Vice-chairman Tom Arvas, Albuquerque; Leo Sims, Hobbs; Sandy Buffett, Santa Fe; M.H. "Dutch" Salmon, Silver City; Terry Riley, Tijeras; and Jim McClintic, Albuquerque.
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting, please contact Shirley Baker, (505) 476-8030. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible forms.
LAKE ROBERTS' AGING DAM WILL BE TOPIC AT OPEN-HOUSE FORUMS
SILVER CITY -- Options to address safety concerns about the aging dam at Lake Roberts will be discussed at Department of Game and Fish open-house forums July 27-28 at the lake and in Silver City.
The 45-year-old dam has been labeled a high-hazard dam by the Office of the State Engineer because it does not meet modern design standards for flood control. Dam repairs or total replacement are among options that will be explained to interested citizens who attend the open-house sessions. Attendees will be encouraged to submit comments and suggestions.
Lake Roberts is a popular recreation area on Sapillo Creek in the Gila National Forest about 30 miles northeast of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. The State Game Commission property includes a U.S. Forest Service campground and a 71-acre lake that contains rainbow trout, bass and catfish.
The open-house forums:
- July 27: 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service District Office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, in Silver City.
- July 28: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sapillo Creek Volunteer Fire Station, 263 Highway 35, across from the Lake Roberts Store.
For directions and more information, please call the Department of Game and Fish Conservation Services Division, (505) 476-8112.
PUBLIC MEETINGS WILL ADDRESS PLAN TO RESTORE IMPERILED RODENTS
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will conduct meetings in July and August to inform the public about recovery plans for the meadow jumping mouse and the Arizona montane vole, rodents found in wet, grassy riparian areas.
The meadow jumping mouse is found in the Jemez, Sangre de Cristo, Sacramento, and potentially the San Juan mountains. Recent surveys indicated a 67 to 91 percent decline in populations throughout the state. The Arizona montane vole is found in a very small region in Catron County. The public meetings are intended to inform interested parties about the recovery plan process under the New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act, the biology and status of the two riparian rodents, and to establish a list of people to serve on advisory committees for the plan.
Meetings will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the following places and dates:
- Raton: July 24, Department of Game and Fish office, 215 York Canyon Road.
- Santa Fe: July 26, Department of Game and Fish office, 1 Wildlife Way.
- Alamogordo: July 31, Civic Center Conference Room E, 800 East First St.
- Silver City: Aug. 8, Student Memorial Building meeting room, Western New Mexico University.
For more information, or if you want to serve on an advisory committee for the riparian rodent recovery plan but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Leland Pierce, Terrestrial Species Recovery Plan Coordinator, (505) 476-8094 or leland.pierce@state.nm.us .
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact Shirley Baker at (505) 476-8030, at least 3 working days before the set meeting date. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes can be provided in various accessible forms. Please contact Baker if a summary or other type of accessible form is needed.
EDUCATION, FUN ON TAP JULY 21 AT VALLE VIDAL YOUTH AND APPRECIATION DAY
COSTILLA, N.M. -- People of all ages are invited to witness some of the New Mexico's finest outdoor scenery, wildlife and angling July 21 in celebration of Valle Vidal Youth & Appreciation Day.
Free events, including fishing clinics, fly-casting instruction, birding, aquatic education and other activities will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shuree Ponds in the heart of the 100,000-acre Valle Vidal in northern New Mexico. Two developed campgrounds are available to those who wish to stay overnight and enjoy the fishing, stars and solitude.
The event celebrates the victory of a coalition of partners that were successful in lobbying congress to permanently protect the Valle Vidal from oil and gas drilling. The area is home to one of the state's most impressive elk herds and a stream system that contains the state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Sponsors include the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal, Trout Unlimited, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Amigos Bravos, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation , Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation, and others.
For more information and directions, please visit www.nmwildlife.org or call (505) 299-5404.
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