New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 19 / October 16, 2018

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) has scheduled a regular meeting and rule hearing for Friday, November 30, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center, 912 N. Main St, Roswell, NM 88201, to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: Presentation of proposed changes to the Private Land Elk Allocation rule.

Synopsis:

The proposal is to adopt a new Private Land Elk Allocation rule, 19.30.5 NMAC, which will become effective April 1, 2019. The current Private Land Elk Allocation rule is a permanent rule.

The proposed new rule creates commission approved guidelines to evaluate properties currently participating in or applying for the Elk Private Land Use System (EPLUS). Properties that do not meet minimum participation requirements based on the guidelines would be removed from the EPLUS program and any property submitting acre changes would be re-evaluated by the guidelines. The proposed new rule also changes the current distribution of private land elk authorizations by running the bonus and 2 year unconverted allocations through the small contributing ranch (SCR) pool first. Further proposed rule changes include removing the draw history system for SCRs and creating a random, weighted draw. It is also being proposed that properties in the secondary management zone will be able to purchase private land elk licenses over-the-counter with an assigned ranch code.

A more detailed summary, and the full text of changes, is available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes to the Private Land Elk Allocation rule at DGF-EPLUS-Rules@state.nm.us;or individuals may submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 28, 2018. The final proposed rule will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on November 30, 2018. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearing to be held on November 30, 2018.

Full copies of text of the proposed new rule, technical information related to proposed rule changes, and the agenda can be obtained from the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, or from the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact the Director’s Office at (505) 476-8000, or the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for updated information.

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 the Department at (505) 476-8000 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Department at 505-476-8000 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in the General Powers and Duties of the State Game Commission 17-1-14, et seq. NMSA 1978; Commission’s Power to establish rules and regulations 17-1-26, et seq. NMSA 1978.