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Supervisors briefed on ADOT port road advocacy and Mexican gray wolf litigation outcome
Summary
Supervisors received updates on advocacy to secure ADOT funds for a road linking a proposed commercial port of entry to Highway 80 and heard a court ruling limiting expansion of the Mexican gray wolf reintroduction area.
Board members reported progress on state and federal matters affecting Cochise County, including transportation funding for a proposed commercial port and a recent federal court ruling about the Mexican gray wolf.
Supervisor Gomez told the board she and the mayor have pursued support in Sonora and with ADOT for a connector road between the new port facility and State Route 80. Gomez said Richard Searle, a member of ADOT’s transportation board and a former District 3 supervisor, had signaled willingness to reallocate funds. She discussed a required funding range she and local officials estimate at roughly $47 million to $80 million and said the next ADOT board meeting is likely in Bullhead City.
Gomez said the mayor of Douglas is meeting with Sonora municipalities to secure bilateral support for opening the port and noted the port project is expected to serve international trade including mined materials and cattle.
On wildlife policy, the board heard that the Center for Biological Diversity sued Arizona Game and Fish and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking an expanded reintroduction area for the Mexican gray wolf. According to the update, the court granted summary judgment to the Fish and Wildlife Service and prevented expansion of the reintroduction area beyond the originally planned boundaries; the board noted the ruling will limit the geographic expansion of the program.
Supervisors said they will hold a work session on wolf policy and brief local ranchers; the board encouraged affected constituents to listen to that session. The updates were presented as part of supervisors’ state and federal reports and did not result in a formal vote at this meeting.
