GOP Wildlife Advocate Joins New Mexico Game Commission

Jan 24, 11:19 AM

Jan. 24--More than once over the years, avid big game hunter and gray wolf advocate Oscar Simpson has been a vocal thorn in the side of the New Mexico Game Commission. Now he joins them.

Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Simpson, a Republican and former president of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, to the seven-member commission Saturday. "Oscar Simpson has fought hard to protect the state's unique treasures, such as Otero Mesa and Valle Vidal," Richardson said. "I'm confident that he'll bring that drive and dedication to the State Game Commission."

Richardson also reappointed author M.H. "Dutch" Salmon of Silver City and Tom Arvas, an optometrist and longtime commission member.

The appointments require confirmation by the Legislature.

The state Game Commission establishes policy for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

The department is responsible for managing hunting and fishing in the state, and other non-hunting wildlife related recreation. It oversees dozens of fish hatcheries, waterfowl and wildlife areas and works with other agencies to restore endangered species.

Simpson joins a commission faced with mounting pressures on several fronts. There's the controversial Mexican gray wolf reintroduction program in the south that has created heated debate between environmental groups and ranchers. Around the state, there's increasing interest from oil and gas companies to develop public lands, and equal interest from wildlife advocates and sportsmen to protect those lands from degradation.

Bill Schudlich, chairman of the New Mexico Council of Trout Unlimited, said Simpson is uniquely qualified to help the commission face those pressures. "I don't think there are many people who understand fish and wildlife in the state like Oscar," Schudlich said. "Oscar brings a strong understanding of how wildlife and resources interact and how decisions we make with resources impact wildlife."

Simpson also received praise from Forest Guardians, a Santa Fe-based environmental group known for being at odds with state and federal land managers over wildlife. "Simpson is an excellent candidate," said Nicole J. Rosmarino, endangered species specialist with Forest Guardians. "He really understands the need to protect habitat if we're going to have robust populations of wildlife."

Simpson was born in Tucumcari and raised in Albuquerque and spent much time hunting and fishing with his family. He earned his geology degree at The University of New Mexico, then joined engineering firms specializing in water resources and contamination. He worked stints at the Oil Conservation Division and the Environment Department, largely focusing on public water systems. In 1998, he began working full-time on wildlife conservation issues and served as president of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. He is now the public land organizer for the federation.

Simpson has been a board member since 2000 of the New Mexico Chapter of Republicans for Environment Protection. He's part of a politically conservative group of sportsmen that has proven instrumental in winning major environmental protection battles such as the one to prevent oil and gas exploration in the Valle Vidal. He also is known for leading trail rides in the 100,000 acre mountain region of the Carson National Forest.

"When it comes to conservation, there shouldn't be any difference between the parties," Simpson said.

Since 1982, Simpson, 59, has regularly attended State Game Commission meetings. He admitted that he has been at odds with the commission at times. As a commissioner, he knows his won't be the only voice that matters. "It always takes a majority of votes, 4 out of 7, to move things forward," he said.

In the Mexican gray wolf arena, he'll have the support of at least one other member, Dutch Salmon. Simpson has advocated for the Mexican gray wolf program, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In March, with 200 other people there largely to debate the same issue, Simpson told the commission: "We represent about 6,000 sportsmen across New Mexico. Some are pro and some are con on wolf re-introduction. But mainly we have supported the re-introduction. Predators are a viable and economic wildlife resource for New Mexico, but they also play a viable role in the biology of the ecosystem."

Simpson said he thinks the Game Commission and the Game and Fish Department need to work more closely with federal agencies on rebuilding and protecting wildlife habitat.

He also thinks the commission needs to minimize the impact of oil and gas exploration on wildlife habitat. "Those are two things they know I have pushed for in the past, that are important whether someone is a hunter/fisher or a wildlife watcher," Simpson said.

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