BLM Releases Plan
For Bird Habitat

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has released its Interim Habitat Management Plans for the Southwestern willow flycatcher as mandated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's biological opinions.

Plans have been written for the Mimbres, Rio Puerco, and Taos Resource Areas and the Farmington District, according to New Mexico officials. The plans are designed to direct management until the FWS completes an approved recovery plan.

"Based on my review, these plans are essentially implementing what the FWS is requiring through its biological opinions," says Bill Moore, state wildlife specialist. "I do not believe these biological opinions are based totally on an objective, thorough review of the best available scientific information. Therefore, certain permittees may see restrictions placed on their permits in the name of protecting the southwestern willow flycatcher that in my opinion are not warranted. However, the BLM is mandated to implement the biological opinions."

Moore says that after meeting with BLM personnel and permittees in Lordsburg, it does not appear any significant livestock management changes will occur this year.

In a related matter, the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association and other entities recently filed two lawsuits regarding management actions taken to protect the flycatcher. These lawsuits are focused at the Forest Service and the FWS. BLM is not named as a defendant, therefore, the biological opinions which the FWS issued to the BLM are not raised as an issue.