Animal Trapping NM from Kathy Holian, County Commissioner

Dear Santa Fe County residents:

About a month ago, I participated on a panel that heard testimony from the public on the issue of animal trapping on public lands. The motivation for this forum was that the New Mexico Game Commission had a public meeting on the issue, but the meeting was organized for a time and place which was not convenient for people to attend. The Commission then made a decision on trapping without significant public input. So, the Forum was organized to provide a venue for public comment. In addition, you can submit written comments online during the next month.

Below is a press release that was written by organizers of the People's Forum.

If you have an opinion on how animal trapping in New Mexico should be regulated, please input your comments as detailed below.

Sincerely,
-Kathy



People’s Forum Panel Requests Public Comments on Trapping Issue
Panel will Gather Data and Issue Report



Albuquerque – The People’s Forum Panel on Public Lands Trapping requests that New Mexico citizens submit comments on the issue of trapping in New Mexico. The Panel will synthesize the comments and issue a report to the public and decision makers. New Mexicans can submit written comments to:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NMTrappingSurvey

In July, the New Mexico Game Commission voted to expand trapping across the State and lifted the trap ban in the range of the Mexican wolf. The Commission had received 12,000 citizens’ comments that had requested a ban on traps on public lands in New Mexico.

“The People's Forum Panel is holding a new public comment period because we want to ensure good governance and encourage democratic decision making in New Mexico,” stated retired Judge Peggy Nelson.

On September 14, 2011, the TrapFreeNM Coalition held the People’s Forum. A panel of seven citizens with a history of community and civic involvement took recorded testimony at a public hearing organized by four non-governmental organizations.

Over 130 people attended, and approximately 40 testified, including Prof. Dr. Robert Harrison, a small carnivore expert. In addition to the oral testimony, the panel determined to allow additional public comments for those who could not attend the event and have their voices heard.

Former legislator Nathan Cote said, “Having heard the testimony, it was clear the state had not pursued its due diligence obligation. The People’s Forum Panel seeks to gather more input on this charged debate and ensure much better public transparency.”

The comment period opens October 4th and closes on November 5, 2011 at 5pm. New Mexicans can submit written comments to:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NMTrappingSurvey

“It was clear to the panel after hearing the testimony, that the state had not conducted policy making in the light of day, nor considered the complexity of the trapping issue,” Judge Nelson added. “A survey is now open to the public and we look forward to receiving robust comments,” she added.

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Background:

The People’s Forum Panel consists of:

The Hon. Judge Peggy Nelson, Chairwoman of the Panel
Peggy Weigle, Executive Director, Animal Humane | New Mexico
Nathan Cote, Former State Representative
Oscar Simpson, former Game Commissioner and sportsman
Kathleen Holian, Santa Fe County Commissioner
Martha Marks, Republicans for Environmental Protection
Kathy Sedlacek, New Mexico Mountain Club






-Kathy Holian
4 Camino Cielo Azul
Santa Fe, NM 87508
505-995-9979
Kathleen.Holian@comcast.net