WATCH: Rep. Kirkpatrick On House Floor Calling For U.S. Hearings In Arizona Re: Mexican Wolf Endangered Species Status and Re-Introduction

Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) took to the House floor today to call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("FWS") to hold hearings in Arizona regarding the Mexican (Gray) Wolf's listing on the endangered species list and its re-introduction program.

Kirkpatrick notes that there has not yet been a hearing set for Arizona, and states that it is "imperative" that there be a hearing near the re-introduction area in eastern Arizona.  A hearing has been set for October 4 in Albuquerque.

The changes are being proposed as FWS reached legal settlements with the Center for Biological Diversity in August.  They would remove most gray wolves

from the endangered species list, with the Mexican Wolf being the only subspecies to remain on the list.  It would also make changes to the re-introduction program in New Mexico and Arizona.  The full proposed rule changes can be read here.

Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) has already spoken out against the proposal; although Kirkpatrick did not follow suit, her one-minute speech was to push for her rural constituents to be able to better make their voices heard.

The public comment period - if an Arizona hearing is not set or if you are unable to attend a hearing - has been extended and runs through October 28.



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