writes "SANTA
FE – The State Game Commission approved proposals to move forward with plans
to restore river otters in two New Mexico Rivers, and to rename the fish hatchery
and trout lakes in Los Ojos.
At its meeting Aug. 24 in Santa Fe, the Commission directed the Department
of Game and Fish to proceed with plans to reintroduce river otters to sections
of the upper Rio Grande and the upper Gila River. There have been no confirmed
sightings of river otters in the state since the 1950s, but recent reports indicate
some otters may have migrated to Navajo Lake from Colorado, where they were
reintroduced in the 1980s.
The Commission action followed the Department's presentation of a feasibility
study that indicated otter reintroduction efforts could be successful in state
waters that formerly were in the otters' historic range. The study was the result
of research by and collaboration with a diverse group of government agencies,
the New Mexico River Otter Working Group and members of the public.
In other action, the Commission:
- Unanimously approved a proposal to change the names of Parkview Fish Hatchery
and Burns Lake in northern New Mexico to Los Ojos Hatchery and Laguna del
Campo, respectively. The changes were requested by area residents who said
the new names better reflect the history and culture of Rio Arriba County
and the Los Ojos community.
- Heard an update on development of the state big-game hunting rules for
the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 license years. The presentation included the latest
public and Department recommendations for rules that will be presented to
the Commission for approval at its Sept. 28-29 meeting in Tucumcari. Proposed
rule changes include adjustments of season dates and hunting opportunities,
requirements for trappers, and possible modifications to current antler point
restrictions for deer and elk.
- Approved the final draft of the Department's biennial review of New Mexico
threatened and endangered wildlife. The review included modifications to the
state list of threatened and endangered wildlife to reflect biological status
changes, including: downlisting the piping plover and the shortneck snaggletooth
from endangered to threatened; and uplisting the Arizona grasshopper sparrow,
Pecos bluntnose shiner, and the spikedace from threatened to endangered.
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 Leo Sims, chairman, Hobbs; Tom Arvas, vice-chairman, Albuquerque;
Alfredo Montoya, Alcalde; David Henderson, Santa Fe; M.H. “Dutch” Salmon, Silver
City; Peter Pino, Zia Pueblo; and Terry Riley, Tijeras. For more information,
visit the Department of Game and Fish Web site at www.wildlife.state.nm.us
.
