Introduction

The natural resources of the borderlands region of southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico support extraordinary biodiversity and a traditional ranching economy. The uniqueness of the region is exemplified by the return of jaguars in 1996. Jaguars, an endangered species, require large areas of relatively undisturbed habitat, a characteristic common in and around the mountain ranges of the borderlands region.

The return of jaguars to the region ignited a series of controversial lawsuits and Federal actions culminating in the designation of critical habitat for jaguars in several mountain ranges in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. The critical habitat designation has raised many concerns in rural communities throughout the region. However, it is unlikely the designation will have any impact on the ranching operations within jaguar critical habitat areas. Like jaguars, ranching also requires large, interconnected landscapes. The resource values needed to support jaguars and ranching are mutually beneficial. Instead of threatening ranching in the region, the designation of critical habitat for jaguars may provide the impetus for new investment in southwestern rangelands to advance large-landscape conservation – a goal that supports jaguars and ranching alike by protecting the resources on which they both rely.

When a species is listed as “endangered or threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service must consider whether there are areas of habitat that are essential to the species’ conservation. These areas are considered “critical habitat.” An area designated as critical habitat is not a refuge or sanctuary for the species. Instead, it is an area where the Fish and Wildlife Service must consider the impacts of Federal actions on the listed species and a set of habitat characteristics that must be maintained for the species’ survival. The area designated as critical habitat may include public and private lands. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service only has the regulatory authority to review projects that take place on public land or on private land when a project is supported by Federal funding or requires a Federal permit.

In the case of the Jaguar, the critical habitat area includes both private and Federal lands used for ranching. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service does not expect the designation of critical habitat to have any impact on grazing operation, including grazing on public lands. Grazing does not impact the primary habitat characteristics essential for jaguars’ survival in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.