Local public servants optimistic after prairie chicken rally, meeting

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
Following the rally to oppose the listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act and the proceeding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) public hearing, Eddy County Commissioners Glenn Collier and Royce Pearson and former Commissioner Lewis Derrick recapped the highlights of the event as well as provided their outlook resulting from the FWS presentation.
Set up by both the Artesia and Roswell Chambers of Commerce, the rally’s intent was to garner more local support against the potential listing of the lesser prairie chicken. The lesser prairie chicken’s listing threatens numerous jobs in five states, including New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, particularly in the oil and gas industry. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
For Pearson, a big highlight of the rally was hearing the various public statements made by state legislators representing Southeast New Mexico.
“I’m sure they all wanted to be at the rally to show their support in person,” Pearson said. “But with the legislative session going on, that just wasn’t an option. Everybody from Cathrynn Brown, to Cliff Pirtle, to Bill Gray gave some very favorable comments regarding not listing the lesser prairie chicken.”