The Gila National Forest is seeking public comments on its proposal to remove feral cattle from the Gila Wilderness using lethal and non-lethal methods.

The federal government last year killed 65 cattle in the Gila Wilderness using aerial gunning. The Forest Service is accepting public comments through Jan. 9 on its proposal to remove remaining unbranded and unauthorized cattle from the wilderness.

“Removal of unauthorized cattle is necessary to protect the habitat of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, including federally listed threatened and endangered species,” said Camille Howes, Gila National Forest Supervisor.

“The unauthorized cattle in the Gila Wilderness trample stream banks and springs, causing erosion and sedimentation. This proposal will help restore the wilderness character of the Gila Wilderness by removing non-native species and alleviating the damage caused by over-grazing.”

The Forest Service states that unauthorized cattle have been a problem in the Gila Wilderness since the mid 1970s, when a grazing permittee declared bankruptcy and abandoned his herd. Since then, over 750 cattle have been removed, either rounded up alive or euthanized.

If the Forest Service opts to continue killing the cattle on site, it will close affected areas to the public prior to and during the aerial gunning operations. The shooting would occur during the winter, when there are fewest visitors. The dead cattle would be left in the wilderness to decompose. They wouldn’t be shot near springs, trails or known culturally sensitive areas.

The Forest Service is encouraging members of the public to submit issues or ideas that the agency should consider in developing its final proposal for how to deal with the cattle. Comments should include the following:

_ Name, address, phone number, and organization represented, if any;

_ Title of the project “Gila Wilderness Livestock Removal” on which the comment is being submitted;

_Specific facts and supporting information for the responsible official to consider.

Names, addresses, and email addresses of people who submit comments will become part of the public record. Comments must be received or postmarked by Jan. 9, 2023.

Written comments may be delivered in person or by mail to:

Gila National Forest

Attn: Planning Program

3005 E. Camino del Bosque

Silver City, NM 88061

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

For additional information, contact the Forest Service at (575) 388-8201.