OIG Report: Misconduct & Mismanagement of Mexican Wolf Program
At the request of U.S. Congressman Steven Pearce (R-NM), the Department of Interior’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigated numerous allegations of misconduct and mismanagement by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) staff overseeing the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program (MGWRP). They found evidence of historical mismanagement in the program, specifically regarding the actions of a former coordinator for the Interagency Field Team (IFT) charged with coordinating the wolf recovery activities of various Federal and State agencies. They also found concerns about communication between IFT and the residents of Catron County, NM, which makes up part of the Mexican gray wolf’s territory in the United States, and about the compensation of ranchers for livestock depredation by the wolf.
The OIG provided a report of their investigation to the FWS Director for any action he deems appropriate. The OIG also provided Congressman Pearce an informational copy.
Click here to read July 11, 2016 OIG Report on Misconduct and Mismanagement of Mexican wolf Program
Evidently the agency, when speaking to the OIG investigators and Congressional offices forgot that Elizabeth “Liz” Jozwak was still preparing the EIS work for the new Mexican Wolf 10(j) rule after her transfer to Tucson and “removal” from the team. See below.