Catron County Connection: Augustin Plains Ranch LLC Loses!

Catron County Connection: Augustin Plains Ranch LLC Loses!: 7th Judicial District Court, Reserve NM .  The State Engineer's Order Denying Application by the Augustin Plains Ranch LLC, was affirmed on ...

NM Collateral Support Loan Participation Program - Small Business

The New Mexico Finance Authority

and

New Mexico Economic Development Department’s

Finance Development Team

Invites You to A Presentation Outlining

NM Collateral Support Loan Participation Program

Santa Fe - Community Convention Center

• 11/13 (2pm – 5pm)
• 2pm-3pm Borrowers w/30 minutes one on one
• 3:30-4:30 Lenders w/30 minutes one on one

Albuquerque – Science & Tech Park
851 University SE, 2nd Floor Board Room

• 11/14 (3pm-4pm borrowers; 4pm-5pm lenders)

Grants-SBDC Conference Room
Gallup-Chamber of Commerce

• 11/15 (10-11am borrowers; 11am-noon lenders)
• 11/15 (1:30pm-2:30 lenders; 2:30-3:30pm borrowers)

Farmington –Quality Center for Business
5101 College Blvd

• 11/27 (1-2 for lenders; 2:30-3:30 borrowers)

Las Cruces – Dona Ana Comm. College Workforce Center
Room 127 - 2345 E Nevada

• 12/3 (11am-noon lenders; 1pm-2pm borrowers)

Hobbs – location TBD

• 12/5 (1pm-2pm borrowers; 2:30-3:30pm lenders)

In 2011, New Mexico was authorized to receive $13,168,350.00 from the US Department of Treasury as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative provided through the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The Finance Authority administers these funds on behalf of the State through the Collateral Support Loan Participation Program.


Through the Collateral Support Participation Program, the Finance Authority is able to partner directly with banks to provide capital to credit worthy businesses seeking to expand, create or retain jobs by offering an efficiently lower the interest rate paid by the business. To mitigate the bank’s risk by purchasing a portion of the bank’s loan, often in a subordinated collateral position. The amount of the Finance Authority’s participation will vary based upon the location of the business, the term of the loan and the collateral position offered to the Finance Authority. *The application for this program is submitted by the bank on behalf of the business.

SMALL BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Be located in New Mexico
• Use the loan proceeds for business purposes
• Have 500 or fewer employees
• Be a non-profit corporation, for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, cooperative or other entity that is authorized to conduct business in the state of New Mexico
• Meet the bank’s lending requirements with the exception of the deficient collateral, which is enhanced through the program.

You may direct any inquiries or questions to:
John Brooks (jbrooks@nmfa.net) at 505-984-1454 or Juan Torres (juan.torres@state.nm.us) at 505-827-0238

Holiday Arts/crafts Opportunity: Tangible Treasures

Dear Friends and Fellow Artists,
Well, Tangible Treasures has been open a full three months and having so much fun it might be illegal. Many of you are receiving your consignment checks and they are growing each month. We are pleased to say that our shop has new items every day. Things change so fast that you might miss something if Tangible Treasures is not on your "to do list" every week. Our customer base has increased daily and we now see many times the daily amount on a regular basis. Last week was the best week yet. 

During the months of November and December we are planning a Christmas Boutique and are asking you to bring in your holiday arts and crafts to round out our already fabulous assortment of treasures. We share a partnership where the more you put into making the treasures in our boutique unique and fun, then the more successful we both are. While most of our customers are "tourists", we also have many local customers that come in weekly to purchase items to dress up their homes and to adorn themselves as well as shop for unusual gifts for people they love. I can't stress enough for you to take advantage of a local permanent home to show case your talents and treasures. I would like to have your items priced and on the walls and shelves before the Holiday rush starts, starting the end of October. I must say we get so jazzed by your creativity, that your treasures makes our job of selling them easier. If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment to consign your treasures please email or call.



Pamela Deratany,
Tangible Treasures
2128 US Hwy 180
Rancho Grande (next to the Adobe Cafe and Bakery) Reserve, New Mexico
tangibletreasures@ymail.com
575-533-6966
Closed Tue and Sat
Hours 10:00am-4:00pm
Please like us on Facebook

GILA NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES MEETING FOR WILDFIRE EQUIPMENT USE

Silver City, NM; October 30, 2012—The Southwestern Region of USDA Forest Service announces a meeting for vendors interested in providing resources to support wildfires and other emergency incidents. Scheduled for November 13, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. throughout multiple locations in New Mexico and Arizona, the meeting is via video tele-conferencing (VTC). In southwest New Mexico, the VTC is scheduled at the Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City.

Interested vendors will learn about registration required to become a government vendor, how to find and respond to a solicitation through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system, and how to read and understand contract requirements for specific equipment!  The following resource types will be obtained by competitive solicitation for Fiscal Year 2013:

•           Mobile laundry units

•           Potable and gray water trucks/Trailer-mounted hand washing units

•           Portable toilets/Wheelchair accessible portable toilets/Portable hand wash units

•           Fuel tenders

•           Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Apparatus (formerly Crash Rescue Trucks)

•           Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment (feller bunchers/masticators/road graders/skidders)

Although not an inclusive list, other common types of equipment used to support  emergency incidents include: 

•           All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Vehicles (UTVs)

•           Chainsaw repair kits

•           Chippers

•           Coach bus

•           Computers and Printers; Copiers

•           Heavy Equipment (dozers/excavators/transports)

•           Mechanic with Service Truck

•           Mobile Sleeper Units

•           Vehicle rentals (passenger vehicles and trucks without operators)

•           Vehicle with Driver (usually owned by individuals or small business and used for hauling  supplies)

•           Water Handling Equipment (support & tactical water tenders and engines)

To find the location of other VTC locations, call the Gila National Forest’s Supervisor’s Office at 575.388.8201 or [download Word doc here]. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Website link for VIPR information:  http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php

Current solicitation notices are published at:  https://www.fbo.gov

Glenwood Gazette News: Socorro Electric Co-op District 5 meeting report

Glenwood Gazette News: Socorro Electric Co-op District 5 meeting report: Socorro, NM  October 27, 2012 Report by Carol Jean Auffrey Anne Dorough was elected district 5 trustee at the district 5 meeting last eve. ...

Catron County Water Coalition: Sept 19 San Augustin water hearing

Catron County Water Coalition: Sept 19 San Augustin water hearing: This is a reminder about the San Augustin water grab hearing on Wednesday, September 19 at 11 AM. The hearing will be in the Socorro County...

USDA_RD Value Added Producer Grant

Value-Added Producer Grant

Agricultural producers can receive economic planning and working capital grants

Application submission deadline: 10/15/2012

Rural Development Partners:

US Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD)’s Value Added Producer Grant program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA; attached) has been published for FY 2012.  The program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities.  Grants will be awarded competitively for either economic planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products.  Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. $14 million are available in this national competition.  The deadline to submit applications is October 15, 2011.  Attached and below, you will find information about the programs, including the tools you’ll need to apply.

Staff names and contact information are available at the end of the attached fact sheet.  USDA-RD encourages each potential applicant to contact the Rural Development State Office or a local Area Office as soon as possible.  Staff can identify whether a potential applicant and project are eligible and answer your questions about the program.

Value-Added Producer Grant -- Deadline:  October 15, 2012

Basic information

·         The program is for economic planning or working capital. Funding amounts:  No minimum.  Maximum:  $100,000 for planning; $300,000 for working capital
·         There is no “rural” requirement—all areas of New Mexico are eligible.
·         Eligible applicants are independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer and rancher cooperatives; or majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.  Please see the specific definitions of these applicant types in the regulation cited below at page 20 (section 4284.920).  All applicant types must currently produce and own a majority of the agricultural commodity to which value will be added and that is the subject of the proposal.
·         The types of eligible projects are listed on page 23 (section 4284.922) of the regulation cited below.  A value added product is any agricultural commodity or product that meets one of the following qualifications.

o   Has undergone a change in physical state

o   Was produced in a manner that enhances its value

o   Is physically segregated

o   Is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable energy, including E-85

o   Is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product.

·         As a result of the proposed project, the customer base for the agricultural commodity or value-added product must be expanded and the project must result in the applicant producer of the agricultural commodity’s receiving a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing or processing of the value-added product.
·         There is a matching fund requirement of at least $1 for every $1 in grant funds provided by the agency.

Requirements/application template:  The fact sheet provides an overview of the program.  More information is available at the USDA-RD VAPG website page at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html .  An application template will be available at that website soon. The application requirements are guided by the Notice of Funds Availability and the regulation, which can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/4284j.pdf .  The application must include the required forms.

Deadline/Submission:  Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2012 or they will not be considered for funding from this NOFA.  Paper applications must be postmarked and mailed, shipped or sent overnight by this date.  Electronic applications are permitted via www.grants.gov only, and must be received by midnight on this date.  No fax or email application submissions will be considered.  Submit paper applications to USDA-Rural Development/New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM  87109.  Submit to the State Office; NOT an area office.

We, at USDA-Rural Development, look forward to speaking with you about your projects.

Jesse

B. Jesse Monfort Bopp l State Loan Specialist, NM Rural Energy Coordinator

Rural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture

6200 Jefferson NE, Rm 255

Albuquerque, NM  87109

Phone:  505.761.4952 l FAX:  505.761.4977 l jesse.bopp@nm.usda.gov

www.rurdev.usda.gov

Stimulus Funding for Catron County

How Much Stimulus Funding is Going to Catron County?

The ProPublica website used data from the federal government’s stimulus Web site, Recovery.gov, spiffed it up and added thousands of other recovery spending records. The info was updated in February 2012. It includes recipient-reported data through the first quarter of 2012, which was released in January 2012.

Click HERE for Catron County stimulus funding data

Catron County Connection: New Datil Ambulance Building Open House

Catron County Connection: New Datil Ambulance Building Open House: Datil EMS, thanks to the Commissioners and County Manager, have a new building for the Datil Ambulance and would like to open up the buildi...

NM Gov Martinez Issues Drought Declaration

SANTA FE, NM – Governor Susana Martinez issued a formal drought declaration that encompasses the entire state of New Mexico.   The declaration continues the New Mexico State Drought Task Force for an additional two years and directs the State Engineer to assess the continued severity of the drought and its effects on the various sectors of the state’s resources and economy and to make recommendations to the Governor for intermediate actions and long-term strategies to mitigate drought conditions and impacts in the state.   [More]

Annual SAWC Meeting & Candidate Forum May 19, 2012

The San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) annual meeting will be held 1 PM, May 19, 2012 at the Datil Elementary School Gym.  Candidate forum at 2 PM.  [MORE]

New Mexico Green Industry Training Opportunity

From:

April Weitlauf
New Mexico Green Collaborative
Weitlauf Management

The State Energy Sector Partnership Program (SESP), Ta New Mexico Green Industry training opportunity, is now available to NM residents and businesses.   This training could include many 'Green Industry' opportunities including Lead Abatement Certifications, Water Harvesting Certifications, Welding (Aluminum/Steel), Bio-Fuel Certifications, OSHA trainings, Human Resource if practicing within Green Business... and more.  If you have an idea and want to ask if it would qualify for the program do not hesitate to drop me an email or just pick up the phone and give me a call, my information is listed at the bottom of this notice.

Below you will find the eligibility requirements and program description. This program is free to individuals, and under some circumstances there may be a minimal financial match to employers who would like to have their employees receive some type of upgraded training.

SESP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for training you must be over 18 and 1) have a Social Security number, 2) have the right to work in the U.S., and 3) comply with Selective Service registration requirements (for males)
AND
Be included in one or more of the following groups:

• A veteran or qualified spouse of a veteran; 
• A high school dropout; 
• Disabled; 
• Criminal ex-offender, including juvenile; 
• Currently unemployed; 
• An incumbent worker in need of skills upgrades for a solar, wind biofuels, green building/energy efficiency green job; 
• A dislocated worker; 
• In need of updated training related to energy efficiency and renewable energy; and/or 
• Worker impacted by national energy and environmental policy. 

SESP PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The State Energy Sector Partnership Program (SESP) is a three year, six-million dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) administers the grant on behalf of the State Workforce Development Board (SWDB). Policy and oversight of the grant is the responsibility of the New Mexico Green Industry Council (GIC), which is a subcommittee of the SWDB.

A key goal of the SESP grant is to establish a statewide, systematic approach to worker training in renewable energy/energy efficiency occupations that is responsive to business and worker needs.
The New Mexico SESP grant has identified four priority industries for training workers to meet the needs of the state's green energy sector:

• Solar; 
• Wind; 
• Green Building/Energy Efficiency; and 
• Biofuels 

Training services are being provided though the State's local workforce development boards. visit your local Workforce Connection Center. Your nearest Workforce Connection Center can be found by visiting http://www.dws.state.nm.us/dws-offices.html.

Additionally, in an effort to increase the capacity of the solar, wind, green building/energy efficiency and biofuels industry sectors, and to better meet the needs of existing and incoming businesses in New Mexico, NMDWS has awarded funds to four consortia of education providers, businesses, and workforce organizations to develop statewide "Centers of Excellence" programs. The purpose of these Centers of Excellence is to enhance and expand existing green sector training programs and develop new programs in emerging green industries. The funds will assist in the development and implementation of innovative collaborations between the business, workforce, economic development and educational systems.

• Biofuels Center of Excellence - Santa Fe Community College
• Green Building/Energy Efficiency Center of Excellence - Santa Fe Community College
• Solar Center of Excellence - Central New Mexico Community College
• Wind Center of Excellence - Mesalands Community College

Best regards,

April Weitlauf
New Mexico Green Collaborative
Weitlauf Management
aweitlauf@msn.com

575-574-8994 cell

San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War

San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War

A Battle Won But Not the War
Cathie R. Eisen
Walking Water Consulting
PO Box 133
Nogal, New Mexico
April 8, 2012

Across the southern states a battle is raging for our most precious resource. The value of water has reached a premium, and it will only increase with time. As the cities and counties of the west continue to grow, so does the need for new water sources to support their ever increasing demands. While the quest for oil is on the forefront of everyone's mind, dollar for dollar, water is by far more valuable. We can live without oil if necessary, but we must have water to survive. During the past few years, several applications have been submitted to the State Engineers Office in New Mexico for the purpose of tapping into the deeper aquifers, waters which were previously deemed unusable and were until now unprotected from such requests. One by one, they have been protested and denied. This is not the end of the effort. Future legislation will support these requests as our cities continue to grow along with the residential demand for additional supplies; water for sanitary and domestic water use is and always will be a priority to developers and communities. The health and welfare of the masses could easily trump the livelihood of the rural ranchers. They are few, rural residents are many.   More at Glenwood Gazette... 

San Augustin Water Grab Decision Appealed

A legal notice of appeal of the NM Office of State Engineer decision to deny the San Augustin Ranch LLC's water grab application was published in today's Albuquerque Journal. http://legals.abqjournal.com/legals/show/279214

"NOTICE OF APPEAL DE NOVO FROM ORDER OF THE STATE ENGINEER Applicant/Appellant Augustin Plains Ranch, LLC, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 72-7-1, hereby appeals de novo from the State Engineer's Order Denying Application dated March 30, 2012, in the above-referenced New Mexico State Engineer ("OSE") proceeding. Dated April 5, 2012. Respectfully submitted, /s/ John B. Draper John B. Draper Jeffrey J. Wechsler Montgomery & Andrews"

SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD 02/07/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 03, 2012

SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD

SANTA FE, N.M.— After four years of delays and false starts, the State Engineer is finally hearing motions to dismiss an  application to take 54,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually from Catron County. The application, filed by a New York based corporation, is being protested by over 200 residents who live in and around Datil, NM – an area known as the San Augustin Plains. The residents fear that the San Augustin basin that supplies their wells with water and contributes flow to the Rio Grande and Gila River stream systems will be decimated if the application is granted. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) represents over 80 Protestants.

NMELC filed a motion to dismiss the application one year ago. “The application must be thrown out because it does not comply with basic New Mexico law,” said Bruce Frederick, NMELC Staff Attorney. “The corporation’s application seeks a permit to use or sell a vast amount of water for any purpose within seven New Mexico counties.  Under New Mexico law, however, the corporation was required to identify exactly how and where it intends to use the water, and its failure to do so means that the State Engineer cannot consider or approve its application.”

WHO:  New Mexico Environmental Law Center

WHAT:  Hearing before State Engineer addressing motions to dismiss the water rights application

WHERE: Socorro County Courthouse
                200 Church Street
                Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
                575-835-0050

WHEN:   Tuesday, February 7th, 10:00 a.m.

INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

www.nmelc.org

CONTACT:
Juana Colón
Wk: 505-989-9022, ext. 21

The mission of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is to protect New Mexico's natural environment and achieve environmental justice for New Mexico's communities through legal representation, policy advocacy and public education. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s attorneys have handled over 100 critical cases in low-income and minority communities fighting pollution and environmental degradation. The NMELC charges few, if any, fees to its clients, most of who are from Hispanic and Native American communities. The NMELC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Membership and gifts help New Mexico communities protect their natural environment and their health from toxic pollution, the degrading effects of growth and liabilities created by irresponsible mining. Call Sebia Hawkins, Director of Development 505-989-9022, ext. 27 for more information.

###

Catron County Wood Central

If you are looking for a wood source, or if you are looking for work in the forestry industry, please contact your area's Catron County Economic Development Advisory Board representative. Check out the Catron County Economic Development Website for the name of the representative nearest you - use your phone book to call or email catronweb @ gmail.com (delete the spaces).

FOR INSTANCE
Hazardous fuels and taxidermy snags

What do the two have to do with each other? John Clayton of Texas is looking for shaggy bark cedar, large quantities of stumps, roots and snags, dead or alive. He has a crafting and taxidermy market for "tumbled wood". He says that the shaggy bark cedar is particularly valuable if it ages at high altitude and rough climate - like we have here in Catron County.

He is looking for stumps and roots 4-8" in diameter and will buy from a harvester by weight. He is also looking for partnership with ranchers and public land management agencies to do hazardous fuels reduction work (he will take some payment in wood).

John has an immediate need for 3 semi loads full of shaggy bark cedar.
724 561-6530

Invitation to Bid - State Land Office Price Agreements for Forestry / Prescribed Fire

Subject: Invitation to Bid - State Land Office Price Agreements for Forestry / Prescribed Fire

The New Mexico State Land Office’s Fuels Mitigation and Prescribed Fire Services Price Agreements (PA’s) have been opened for bidding.

Bids are due by February 15, 2012 and the Invitation to Bid (ITB) may be downloaded from HERE. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who may be interested.

More at http://catroncounty.blogspot.com/2012/01/invitation-to-bid-state-land-office.html

San Augustin Water Hearing Date Set - Feb 7

The State Engineer has scheduled a hearing on the San Augustin Water Grab for Tuesday, February 7, 2012. PLEASE put this on your calendar and plan to be there. Our numbers are making a difference. It's hard to ignore a crowd!

Date of the hearing: February 7, 2012
Place: Socorro District Courthouse,
200 Church Street, Socorro
Courtroom 1, second floor
Time: 10AM

The hearing is on the motions to dismiss the application.

Catron County Gears Up For Fire Season

Contact: Zina McGuire, Catron County Fire Marshal
PO Box 507, Reserve NM 87830
(575) 533-6470
catronfire@gilanet.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CATRON COUNTY GEARS UP FOR FIRE SEASON
Are we ready for catastrophic wildfires like the Wallow Fire?
By Lif C Strand, Catron County CWPP Contractor

RESERVE, N.M. November 30, 2011. La Niña conditions, an ongoing drought, buildup of hazardous fuels conditions in the National Forests and bad memories of this year’s catastrophic Wallow Fire have prompted the Catron County Commission to take aggressive action to protect lives and property within its borders as the 2012 fire season approaches.

La Niña is a periodic and predictable weather pattern that brings warm, dry conditions to the southwest. Catron County currently is experiencing drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extremely dry, within the southern part of the county – the heart of the Gila National Forest – experiencing the worst drought conditions (e.g. a 13.4” precipitation deficit for the first 10 months of 2011 in Glenwood).

“We can expect to see wildfires before spring, due to these dangerous conditions, if nothing changes” said Zina McGuire, Catron County Fire Marshal. “If we learned anything from the Wallow Fire, it is that we can’t wait until we see the smoke to protect our people and property – we have to act now.”

“Catron County has been dealing with concerns of our citizens regarding hazardous fuel reductions and potential catastrophic wildland fires for a long time now,” McGuire said. “We still receive calls, emails and visits by citizens who remain concerned even after the end of the Wallow Fire, and our citizens are very worried about the upcoming fire season.”

Catron County began addressing the issues of catastrophic wildfires after the passage of Catron County’s Disaster Declaration Resolution in 2001, which is still in effect. Following the guidance of the Federal Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, the County worked in partnership with NM State Forestry, the US Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the 7000 square miles within its borders. Catron County additionally created CWPPs for eleven major Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) areas.

The CWPPs assessed the state of the forest and woodlands and the risk to WUI areas in order to know what work needed to be done to reduce the risk of wildfire.

“The point of the CWPPs is protection of human life and property” McGuire said. “To be useful tools, the CWPPs must be reviewed and updated immediately.” The Catron County Commissioners agrees.

Accomplishment reports, of the work done by public land management agencies to implement CWPP goals to date, have been submitted to the County by these agencies and will be used to reassess fire prevention priorities.
Additionally, the County has contracted with a Fire Wise/Bio Mass contractor and obtained two chippers and a grapple truck (using all Federal funds) to help residents implement the Fire Wise program.

“Our goal is to analyze the submitted data to see if the fire risk for our communities has changed. Once analyzed, we can make a push to help protect the highest risk communities prior to fire season” McGuire said.

For more information see http://www.catronfireprevention.org/



# # #

Catron County Commission Demands Wolf Incident Investigation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESERVE, NM. “The wolf issue is one of the biggest problems the county has faced,” said Catron County Commission Chairman Hugh B. McKeen to Tod Stevenson, Director of New Mexico Department of Game & Fish at a regularly scheduled public meeting on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. With Mr. Stevenson were RJ Kirkpatrick, Assistant Director NM Game & Fish; Jim McClintic, Chairman New Mexico State Game Commission; and Dick Salopek, New Mexico State Game Commission. An audience of nearly 100 people attended the meeting.

In late January a formal complaint was filed by the county with NM Governor Martinez regarding a wolf depredation investigation that occurred on January 18, 2011. Catron County contends that NM Game & Fish wolf biologists Ellen Heilhecke and Mischa Larisch allegedly sought to influence or change the official investigation findings of Sterling Simpson and Armando Orona of US Wildlife Services during an on-site investigation as to the cause of death of a cow.

“Influencing or attempting to influence the findings of another agency’s official investigation brings up a lot of problems,” said Catron County’s Wolf Incident Investigator, Jess Carey. “The credibility of the game department wolf biologist is now lost.” Simpson and Orona did confirm that the cow was killed by wolves, with Carey concurring.

“Other findings of confirmed wolf kill have been changed to probable in the past,” Carey said. “How can you change documented evidence?”

Stevenson confirmed that Larisch did call and relay a message from Heilhecke to the Wildlife Services personnel while the investigation was in progress, but denied that any impropriety occurred.

“My staff said they did not say that Wildlife Services should modify the finding from confirmed to probable,” Stevenson said. “My folks called and said there were feral dogs in the area to take into consideration.”

“There were no feral dogs on this ranch,” Carey said. “Last year, several miles away, a neighbor was letting his house dogs run loose, but that problem was resolved. Mr. Simpson concurred: There are no feral dogs out there”.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Catron County Attorney Ron Shortes stated that he agreed with the Commissioners’ and Carey’s call for an independent, third party investigation of the incident.

“I think you have a conflict of interest when you say you have an obligation to facilitate this Mexican wolf recovery program vs. your constitutional obligation to the people of NM to protect wildlife,” Shortes said.

“While an independent investigation is needed, my ultimate feeling is that you have a bunch of good people with the New Mexico Game Commission and NM Game & Fish trying to do their best, but I’m wondering if they’re trying to do too much,” Shortes said. “They’re assisting the recovery program on one hand, trying to protect wildlife on the other – is there any possibility of trust while that’s going on?”

After a show of hands to see how people in the audience felt, the Catron County Commissioners voted unanimously to go ahead with their request of Governor Martinez for a full, independent investigation of the incident. Director Stevenson volunteered to provide a synopsis of the progress of the investigation by April 15, 2011.

“Catron County has taken a no-wolf stand,” McKeen said. “I’m requesting that you take a no-wolf stance, too. It’ll do us all good – we’re not only concerned about livestock but wildlife, too.”


Contact:
Bill Aymar, Catron County Manager
PO Box 507
Reserve NM 87830
(575) 533-6423
ccmanager@gilanet.com



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