Posted on 08/19/2012 2:42:25 PM PDT by CedarDave
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing that 838,000 acres near the U.S.-Mexico border be designated as critical habitat for jaguars. While a small section of the proposed zone is in New Mexico, most of the land is in Southern Arizona, including the area of the proposed Rosemont Mine.
The move was hailed by the environmental group that has long worked for jaguar protection.
"Jaguars once roamed across the United States, from California to Louisiana, but have been virtually extinct here since the 1950s," said Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, which sued to push a recovery plan for jaguars.
The agency is set to publish its findings in the Federal Register on Monday, said spokesman Jeff Humphrey, which will trigger a 60-day public comment period.
The proposed critical habitat—outlined in a 126-page document—will help protect the jaguar, which was declared an endangered species in 1997, from extinction, Humphrey said.
While there have only been "a handful of jaguars seen (in Southern Arizona) in 50 years ... they are elusive cats," Humphrey said. There have been three confirmed jaguar sightings in the last five years, he said.
Jaguar habit extends through Mexico into Central and South America.
(Excerpt) Read more at tucsonsentinel.com ...
Included in the proposal:
343,033 acres in the Santa Rita, Patagonia and Huachuca mountains and the Canelo Hills
143,578 acres in the Tumacacori, Atascosa and Pajarito mountains
138,975 acres in the Baboquivari Mountains
105,498 acres in the Whetstone Mountains, including connections to the Santa Rita and Huachuca Mountains
99,559 acres in the Peloncillo Mountains, Ariz. and N.M.
7,590 acres in the San Luis Mountains, N.M.
Below is a link to the Federal Register notice:
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/documents/doc/081712_jaguar_doc/
The practical effect of the designation will be to lock up federal lands not already locked up as a result of wilderness designation, national park/monument or other critical habitats.
On the bright side, hungry Jaguars may discourage illegal alien invaders.
Too much Central Socialist Government! Too many bureaucrats with nothing to do. Where’s Congress on this stupidity?
Jaguars would be able to follow their natural food source as Mexicans cross into AZ.
I wonder, does getting a name like that constitute grounds to sue one's parents for damages?
The jack rabbits will be glad to hear about this.
Another leftist payback to red conservative states.
Clinton did this just before he left and tied up a ton of federal lands.
Leftist hate knows no bounds.
Just another Leftist land grab. They’re baggin’ every acre they can before they get thrown out.
Curious why the claim that we can’t undo what has been done?
Yep, nothing but black panthers now.
The Open Borders crowd will be screaming!
Hungry Jaguars often have that effect.
Living in the proposed area since 1993, there has been NO jaguar impact on either illegals or drug smugglers. This is just another try to ‘lock up’ productive land and enable the feds to further restrict former rights enjoyed by landowners. Any such critter found around here will experience SS&S.
Suckling is always trying to get at the government teat. His group is fighting ranchers over wolf reintroduction and wants endangered species designation for other critters.
However, Jaguars likely will have a rough go of it in the US, with or without designation of a critical habitat — other predators are already living in the area (mountain lions, bobcats, bears, etc.) and they will have to compete for food (unless someone is stupid enough to let their little chihuahua out of their camper to relieve itself). And some poachers might think they’d make a great trophy.
In some ways, this would be far more effective than a stationary chain-link fence.
All kidding aside, the Federal and State governments already control far too much of our land without doing anything productive with it.
I wonder if it has anything to do with this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2920443/posts
Will Tombstone be included in that jaguar habitat???
However closing off that copper mine is a little worry some. My guess is that is the real reason for the “Jaguar Sanctuary”
Enjoying their perks. They are immune from the laws and regs imposed on the corrupt proletariat.
“... said Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity”
Affirmative action for jaguars?
Sounds like another federal land grab to me.
This is the excuse they found to stop the Rosemont mine, IMO. If they say no, show pictures of pretty big cats.
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