New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 13 / July 10, 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 Thursday, August 23, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the El Morro Events Center, 210 S. 2^nd Street, Gallup, New Mexico, to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: Presentation of proposed changes to the Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex rule.

Synopsis:

The proposal is to adopt a new Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex rule, 19.31.12 NMAC, which will become effective April 1, 2019. The current Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex rule is set to expire on March 31, 2019.

The proposed new rule includes adjusting seasons for calendar dates for all species. Oryx population data indicates that populations both on and off of the White Sands Missile Range are increasing. Therefore, on-Range we propose adding 4 new hunts, and increasing the number of once-in-a-lifetime, Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, and injured veteran licenses. Off-range, we propose increasing both statewide and statewide youth licenses. In order to maintain current Ibex population numbers, and reduce the need for population management hunts, we propose adding female/immature hunts, and combining the season dates for the once-in-a-lifetime and incentive hunts. Finally, Barbary sheep population data suggests that populations are expanding both numerically and geographically. To slightly reduce population numbers and distribution, we propose increasing the number of draw licenses both on and off of McGregor Range, and creating several shorter hunts to prevent too many hunters from being on the ground at once. A full text of changes will be available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes to the Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and Persian Ibex rule at DGF-Exotics-Rules@state.nm.us;or individuals may submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on August 21, 2018. The final proposed rule will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on August 23, 2018. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearing to be held on August 23, 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.