Pearce to hold meeting on prairie chicken

HOBBS, N.M. (AP) – Congressman Steve Pearce is slated to host another meeting on the federal government’s decision to list the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.

The Hobbs News-Sun reports (http://goo.gl/py5VQf) that the Republican will hold a town hall meeting Saturday in Hobbs, New Mexico at the Western Heritage Museum.

Jill McLaughlin, spokeswoman for Pearce’s office, said the town hall meeting is for all residents who would like to voice concerns over the bird’s listing.

Ranchers and oil companies believe the listing will have a negative effect on the ranching, oil and gas and wind farm industries in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. That’s where the chicken’s habitat is known.