Efforts to halt the recovery of Mexican Gray Wolves have been rampant in the state of Arizona by the livestock industry. However, their count in the wild was only 83 total individuals in 2013 (Arizona Game and Fish). Now a proposed bill, HB2699, would allow the state of Arizona to selectively end state listings of Threatened and Endangered Species from 1973 effective August 31, 2014. 

Critical protection of countless species, including the Mexican Gray Wolf would be lost. Critical protection of the land and water that these Threatened and Endangered Species inhabit would be lost. 

Efforts must be spent towards building coexistence plans with predator species and ranchers and not towards terminating entire species from our landscape. 

Countless biologists attest that predator species are vital to these ecosystems. The return of wolf populations in Yellowstone proved successful in restoring balance on the land and throughout surrounding waters. 

Polling showed 77% of Arizona voters and 69% of New Mexico voters support the Mexican Wolf reintroduction. However, removing their federal protection would ensure their extinction in the wild. 

It is zero hour for these species. Please be their voice.

 

Proposed HB2699 in full context:

Section 1.  Title 17, chapter 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 6, to read:

ARTICLE 6.  FEDERAL PROGRAM RESCISSION AND REIMBURSEMENT

17-486.  Rescission of participation in programs; removal of wildlife; legislative approval required; definition

A.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CEASE PARTICIPATION IN ALL PROGRAMS UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 (P.L. 93-205; 87 STAT. 884; 16 UNITED STATES CODE SECTIONS 1531 THROUGH 1544) IF THEY ARE PROGRAMS THAT WERE NOT COOPERATIVELY IMPLEMENTED.  ALL SPECIES OF WILDLIFE THAT WERE INTRODUCED UNDER PROGRAMS THAT WERE NOT COOPERATIVELY IMPLEMENTED AND OFFSPRING OF THE WILDLIFE MUST BE REMOVED FROM THIS STATE ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2015.

B.  ALL THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAMS IN EFFECT ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION ARE TERMINATED ON AUGUST 31, 2014 UNLESS EACH INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM IS APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE IN EACH HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATURE.  EACH INDIVIDUAL NEW THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM MUST BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY VOTE IN EACH HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE IT MAY BE IMPLEMENTED IN THIS STATE.  THE LEGISLATURE MAY TERMINATE ANY THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IN THIS STATE AT ANY TIME.

C.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "PROGRAMS THAT WERE NOT COOPERATIVELY IMPLEMENTED" MEANS PROGRAMS THAT ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND FOR WHICH THIS STATE DID NOT FIRST CREATE AND SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OR THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR APPROVAL BY THE SECRETARY OR THE SECRETARY'S DESIGNEE.

17-487.  Federal reimbursement fund; purpose

A.  THE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FUND IS ESTABLISHED CONSISTING OF MONIES OBTAINED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUND.  MONIES IN THE FUND ARE CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED.

B.  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL USE FUND MONIES TO REIMBURSE PERSONS WHO SUSTAINED LOSSES FROM ACTIONS BY WILDLIFE DESCRIBED IN SECTION 17‑486, SUBSECTION B OR FROM OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROPERTY, RESTRICTED ACCESS TO PROPERTY AND OTHER FINANCIAL IMPACTS.

C.  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PRESCRIBE PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTERING AND DETERMINING THE MERITS OF CLAIMS MADE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FUND.  PAYMENT OF VALID CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT MAY BE MADE ONLY FROM FUND MONIES.

D.  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL TAKE ALL STEPS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONIES SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR ALL REIMBURSEMENTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL DEPOSIT, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 35‑146 AND 35‑147, ALL MONIES COLLECTED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT IN THE FUND.

Sec. 2.  Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health

or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.

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Wolf photo credit: Gary Kramer