Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf

Issuing agencies

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), propose new revisions to the existing experimental population designation of the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona and New Mexico under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are taking this action in response to a court-ordered remand of our January 16, 2015, final rule revising the regulations for the nonessential experimental population of the Mexican wolf. This document proposes to modify the population objective, establish a genetic objective, and temporarily restrict three of the forms of take of Mexican wolves in the MWEPA that we adopted in the January 16, 2015, final rule. We are proposing these revisions to ensure the long-term conservation and recovery of the Mexican wolf. In addition, this document proposes to maintain the nonessential designation for the experimental population. We are not proposing to revise the geographic boundaries of the MWEPA. We are seeking comment from the public on the proposed regulatory revisions and on a draft supplemental environmental impact statement for the proposed revisions. We also announce public information sessions and public hearings on this proposed rule and the associated draft supplemental environmental impact statement.