Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall said they are confident a solution can be found that will protect the habitat of the lesser prairie chicken while allowing ranching and the booming oil and gas industry to flourish.
The New Mexico Democrats are being criticized from not taking a stance on the issue by the director of GOAL Advocacy, a pro oil and gas industry group.
The lesser prairie chicken, known for its rare mating rituals, is proposed to be listed as threatened under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's federal register of endangered species.
The federal Fish and Wildlife Service is slated to make a decision on whether to list the bird in September and is currently reviewing a Five State Plan, which includes representation of New Mexico, that outlines conservation efforts while allowing business to grow.
GOAL Advocacy Executive Director Jason Heffley says the proposed listing can impact thousands of jobs in the oil and gas industry due to additional regulations that will be enforced to protect the chicken.
"Senator Heinrich and Senator Udall certainly have a lot of influence in Washington and I think New Mexico families deserve to know where they stand on the prairie chicken issue," said Heffley in a press release. "If they stand on the side of an industry that supports almost 80,000 jobs and 30 percent of their state's general revenue fund, I am sure New Mexicans would like to know."
Heffley considers the people on the other side of the issue to be radical environmentalists whose agenda will lead to the detriment of jobs and tax revenues he says the state depends on for education funding.
Heinrich and Udall made it clear Wednesday that they hear the concerns of Heffley and others loud and clear and support the Five State Plan.
"New Mexico's Candidate Conservation Agreements have shown that habitat protection, ranching and the oil and gas industry, which is booming, can coexist when we put our collective resources toward solving problems," Udall said. "And the Five State Plan to protect the lesser prairie chicken will be based off these win-win agreements."
Heinrich shares Udall's sentiments.
"I am pleased that New Mexico and local industries are being proactive and agreed to voluntary habitat conservation measures through the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances process," Heinrich said. "I am working to ensure that New Mexico gets credit for the good work that has been done in the state in any decision that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes about the lesser prairie chicken and will continue to monitor the process closely."
Udall says he's also keeping an eye on what the USFWS is doing and has been in communication with the agency.
"The Five State Plan is still being worked through, but the Fish and Wildlife Service has assured my office that it will accept it for deliberation," Udall said. "If the plan is strong enough to ensure species survival, then Fish and Wildlife Service may determine that a 'threatened' listing is not necessary, as they did with the sand dune lizard."
But Udall said the plan won't be the only thing that holds weight in the USFWS' decision.
"However, to comply with the law, scientists must study the final plan and make the ultimate determination," Udall said. "I look forward to reviewing the Five State Plan and I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state of New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to continue strong cooperation on this issue."