Roswell: 750 Rally Hoping Fish and Wildlife Bureaucrats Listen

Steve Pearce

Roswell, NM (April 28, 2011) An estimated 750 New Mexicans attended a rally tonight in Roswell to oppose the listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species. The listing threatens to have a devastating effect on the oil and gas jobs in New Mexico. The rally was organized by a grassroots effort in southeastern New Mexico. Congressman Steve Pearce, who was the keynote speaker at the rally, has heard an outcry from constituents over the proposal. The Fish and Wildlife Service has communicated an utter disregard for the economic impact of such a listing, and has released conflicting information on the listing’s effect on jobs. “Fish and Wildlife is making economic claims without facts,” said Pearce. “My office has asked for data from Fish and Wildlife on how jobs will be impacted, and they claim they don’t have the information.

Most of the oil and gas jobs in southeast New Mexico are at risk. Irresponsible, unbalanced overregulation limits the amount of energy produced, which kills jobs, causes severe budget problems in the state, and increases costs to citizens. In this time of high unemployment, we can, and must, do better.” Congressman Pearce has a consistent record of working to find a commonsense approach to conservation efforts. He recently introduced legislation to restore the logging industry after it was nearly destroyed in New Mexico by the listing of the spotted owl. He has also worked to protect farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations that came as a result of listings of the Mexican gray wolf and the delta smelt. Since his time as a state representative, Pearce has worked to ensure that extreme political agendas do not interfere with American jobs and the American way of life.

Steve Pearce at Rally in Roswell

Pearce emphasizes the importance of conservation, but advocates an approach that will protect both jobs and the species. He has supported Candidate Conservation Agreements as an alternative to an endangered species listing. These agreements engage both public and private stakeholders in an effort to protect the species while addressing the needs of all affected parties. By moving to list the lizard as endangered, Fish and Wildlife is completely disregarding the time, work, and expenses already spent by local businesses in acquiescing to these agreements. “It is alarming that Fish and Wildlife seems to have already made their decision while the public comment period remains open,” said Pearce. “My constituents have a legal right to a voice in this matter, without prejudice or bias.”

Immediately after the rally, participants marched together to voice their concerns at the public hearing held by Fish and Wildlife on the listing. While the verbal comment period closes today, constituents are strongly encouraged to write Fish and Wildlife and contact their office to voice their concerns. More information can be found at www.pearce.house.gov.

Roswell: 750 Rally Hoping Fish and Wildlife Bureaucrats Listen