in new pipelines and tanks to provide water for both livestock and wildlife. “However, because the BLM failed to jump through some procedural hoops with regard to the written wild and scenic river management plan, the federal government voluntarily agreed to pay ONDA and WWP $128,000 in attorney fees and costs. Thus, my money paid for every part of the litigation,” Lequerica said. “I paid my personal attorneys to represent me; my tax dollars paid the federal government and their attorneys who failed to do all the paperwork correctly; and my tax dollars paid the ONDA and WWP to sue the federal government.” Millions have been spent on the reintroduction of Mexican grey wolves into southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona, which started in 1998 as the result of environmental activist groups suing the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). Today, very few wolves have survived in the wild, area wildlife is sparse, and livestock depredation is putting ranchers out of business. Since 2000, Gene and Ginger Whetten, of the Adobe Ranch in far southwestern New Mexico, have been living with dead and missing livestock, lost profits, and litigation caused by the wolves, and there’s no end in sight. In 2007, the Whettens had nine wolves living right below the house, killing cattle every night. They estimate that they lost $100,000. “This year, we’ve found nine or ten dead calves, and pieces of 14 more. That doesn’t include those that you never see, that you just know are gone because a cow comes in with a tight bag,” Ginger Whetten said. “It’s been a big financial hit for us and an even bigger one for some of our neighbors who only run 50-100 head of cattle. When the wolves get in on them, it just wipes them out. It is heartbreaking to watch as they lose their livelihoods and way of life.” Working and spending time together as a family brought the Whettens to the remote ranch, but much of that has been lost to the constant stress of the wolves. “The wolves are on our minds and on our property all the time. It’s not what we wanted for our family.” To protect citizens like the Whettens, and others who feared for the safety of their families, Catron County, New Mex-
Proverbs 16-3
CATTLE SALE Every Thursday at 11 a.m. SPECIAL COW SALE Last Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. SPECIAL DAIRY HEIFER SALE 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. ~TRUCKING AVAILABLE Matt & Jeana Wing / Jo Wing P.O. Box 58, Dalhart, TX 79022 • 806/249-5505 • clcc1@xit.net Visit our website at www.cattlemanslivestock.net
Custom Cattle Feeding at its finest
Bar-G Feedyard 125,000 Head Capacity 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HEREFORD, TEXAS FINANCING AVAILABLE Johnny Trotter President – General Manager Res: 806/364-1172 Mobile: 806/346-2508 Email: jtrotter@bar-g.com
Kevin Bunch, Assistant Manager Mike Blair, Comptroller Mike Anthony, Shipping/Receiving
PO BOX 1797, HEREFORD, TX 79045 • 806/357-2241
continued on page 54 MAY 2010
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