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Luna County public splits as ranchers urge support for Catron County wolf emergency
Summary
Ranchers and allied lawmakers urged Luna County commissioners to back Catron Countys emergency declaration over Mexican gray wolf depredations, while other residents urged the county to focus on local problems and questioned the scope of the request. No formal vote was recorded.
Ranchers, local officials and a state senator pressed the Luna County Board of County Commissioners to back a resolution supporting Catron Countys emergency declaration over Mexican gray wolf depredations, saying the animals have increasingly threatened livestock and public safety in neighboring counties.
Tom Patterson, a Catron County rancher and longtime member of the County Livestock Loss Authority, told the commission the wolf recovery program has produced animals that no longer fear people and that Luna County ranchers have already received depredation compensation through the authority. "We've had cattle killed by the Mexican gray wolf," he said, urging the board to "get ahead of the problem." Patterson also noted the County Livestock Loss Authority can provide records of compensated depredations on request.
Supporters included remote callers and legislative aides conveying messages from state lawmakers. Brett Casten, a legislative aide, relayed Senator Gabriel Ramoss backing for the initiative and emphasized that local control should guide responses to land-use and wildlife issues. Senator Ramos later addressed the meeting remotely and reiterated his support, saying wolf numbers have grown and that the state should "manage these animals" while minimizing harm to communities and livestock.
Other speakers pushed back. Lara Jackson Potorf, a long-time resident, said Luna County has not recorded wolf killings of livestock and urged commissioners to focus on local issues such as roads and homelessness. Several residents also questioned whether county officials were receiving special-interest payments; Commissioner Christian Harvey denied receiving such funds.
Commissioners did not record a vote on the resolution during the work session. Staff and commissioners asked presenters to supply documentation: Commissioner Trejo and others requested records from the County Livestock Loss Authority and USDA/Fish and Wildlife to verify depredations attributed to Mexican gray wolves in Luna County.
The work session was primarily a public-comment forum; no formal action or vote on the Catron County resolution was reported during the meeting.
