Grant County commissioners back Catron, Socorro wolf emergency declarations after wide public debate

Grant County Board of Commissioners voted July 10 to adopt a resolution supporting Catron and Socorro counties’ declarations of disaster tied to “extreme and continuous injury and damage” attributed to Mexican gray wolves. The motion to adopt the resolution was made and later seconded; the board approved the measure.

The vote followed more than two hours of public input during which dozens of residents, ranchers, wildlife biologists and environmental advocates spoke. Public commenters sharply disagreed on whether a local emergency exists, repeatedly referencing livestock losses, public-safety concerns and federal recovery programs.

The dispute centered on three questions raised repeatedly during public comment: whether wolf depredation is rising to emergency levels; whether ranchers are receiving adequate and timely compensation; and what county governments should do short of federal action. “Vote this special interest resolution down,” said Glenn Griffin, a District 4 resident, urging the board not to back what he described as a rancher-supported measure. By contrast,…