New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 17 / September 14, 2021

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a hybrid virtual meeting and rule hearing on Friday, October 22, 2021 beginning at 9:00 a.m. For instructions on how to attend this meeting either in person or virtually, visit the Department’s website at http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/webcast/. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the following: proposed changes for the Fisheries Rule, proposed changes to the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule, and proposed changes to the Commercial Use of Fish Rule.

Synopsis for the Fisheries Rule, Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule, and Commercial Use of Fish Rule:

The proposal is to adopt a new Fisheries Rule, 19.31.4 NMAC, which will include changes from the existing rule and will become effective April 1, 2022. There are also fisheries related amendments proposed to the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule, 19.31.10 NMAC, and an amendment proposed to the Commercial Use of Fish Rule, 19.31.9 NMAC.

Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Rule will clarify kokanee snagging season dates, remove Abiquiu Lake from the list of waters with a kokanee snagging season, add a definition of daily bag limit, remove a definition of trout water, remove fishing hour restrictions for specific waters, clarify age and individual with disabilities restrictions for some waters, increase the cutthroat trout possession limit, add Trees Lake and Harris Pond to the list of Summer Catfish Waters with reduced daily limits for channel catfish, remove smallmouth bass length limit in the upper Rio Grande, remove the statewide walleye length limit, open McKenna Creek and Pinelodge Creek to angling, increase the daily bag limit for trout in the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte, Red River City Ponds, Red River Hatchery Pond, and Goose Lake, open Rock Lake settling ponds to fishing by children ages 11 and under, and increase the daily bag limit for cutthroat trout at Seven Springs Kids Pond from 2 to 5 fish per day.

Proposed amendments to the Hunting and Fishing Manner and Method of Taking Rule include adding a definition of drainage, adding shad as an approved bait species in the Pecos drainage, and adding a list of waters approved for trotline use.

Proposed amendments to the Commercial Use of Fish Rule include removing the reference to trout water.

A 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 Fisheries Rule at: DGF-FisheriesRule@state.nm.us; or individuals may submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2021. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a hybrid virtual public meeting on October 22, 2021. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the hybrid virtual public rule hearing to be held October 22, 2021.

Full copies of the 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 https://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 needs 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.