09-24-2004, 02:12 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. – Game, Fish and Parks officials have devised a basic question and answer list to help people better understand the recent issues that lead to the near listing of the black-tailed prairie dog on the federal Endangered Species Act list.[/size]
[size 2]"The concept of listing prairie dogs, the proposed management plans and the involved process are detailed topics and can be confusing," said Communications Manager Chuck Schlueter. "To help, we developed this question and answer list in the hopes of giving people a better understanding of what has already happened and what the department is trying to do with prairie dogs in South Dakota." He noted that information is based on the current draft of the "Interim, Revised Black-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation and Management Plan" circa September 2004. The final plan may vary from the figures given below.[/size]
[size 2]Questions and answers include:[/size]
[size 2]Q: Why were the prairie dogs listed as an endangered species?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Based on the current information at the time (1999), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined that approximately 20 percent of the potential habitat for prairie dogs across its range was occupied by prairie dog colonies. Because of this information, the USFWS determined that the black-tailed prairie dog met the definitions of a threatened species. However, the black-tailed prairie dog was never listed as threatened or endangered. It was listed as a candidate species, which meant that the best available information made them eligible to be listed, but the USFWS had higher priority species on the list at the time. Due to better information on current prairie dog acreage numbers, decreased concern about the potential impacts of plague on prairie dog populations and the efforts of several states to address inadequate regulatory mechanisms combined with developing individual state management plans, the USFWS formally removed the species from the candidate list on August 18, 2004.[/size]
[size 2]Q: When did all of this happen?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Please see the timeline below:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]July 31, 1998: the National Wildlife Federation submitted a petition to list the prairie dog as "threatened throughout its range." The same year, the multi-state, multi-agency cooperative effort was begun to determine population status and to develop strategies to avoid listing in order to preserve state management authority.[/size] [li][size 2]March 2, 1999: the USFWS determined that the petition presented enough information to indicate that a listing may be warranted. The USFWS began a status review to determine if a listing was indeed warranted.[/size] [li][size 2]February 4, 2000: the USFWS announced that listing the black-tailed prairie dog was warranted, but precluded by higher listing priorities. This meant that the prairie dog was designated as a candidate for listing.[/size] [li][size 2]March 18, 2002: a Candidate Assessment was released which indicated the degree of threat to the species from habitat loss, habitat modification, disease and other factors.[/size] [li][size 2]August 12, 2004: the USFWS announced that new information indicated that the black-tailed prairie dog is not likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future and no longer meets the Endangered Species Act definition of threatened.[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]Q:[/size][size 2] [/size][size 2]How many prairie dogs do we have in South Dakota?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]A total of 411,424 acres of prairie dog colonies were documented in an aerial survey conducted in 2003 and 2004. Of this total, 216,750 were on tribal lands and 194,673 acres were on non-tribal lands (private, state, and federal properties).[/size]
[size 2]Q: Why do people care about prairie dogs?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]People care about prairie dogs for a wide range of reasons. Some people care about them because prairie dogs are an important part of the prairie ecosystem, and many other species, such as black-footed ferrets and burrowing owls, depend on their colonies to survive. Others care about prairie dogs and how prairie dog colonies impact their income and livelihood. Some enjoy recreationally shooting prairie dogs and value them for the sport they can provide. Which one is right? It depends on who you ask. All of these viewpoints are valid and it is the responsibility of Game, Fish and Parks to balance all of these needs and views to effectively manage the species.[/size]
[size 2]Q: Who is responsible for the delisting of the prairie dog?[/size]
[size 2]A:[/size][size 2] As you have probably heard on TV and read in the papers, a lot of individuals, agencies, and organizations are taking credit for getting the prairie dog removed as a candidate species from the Endangered Species list. So, who is really responsible for the delisting? It is impossible to say. Literally hundreds of people across 11 states, plus Washington, DC, worked on surveying prairie dog colonies, writing management plans, and speaking to others about the prairie dog issue. Every single one of them worked on this issue. Some, perhaps, to keep the prairie dog on the candidate list. Others worked to get them delisted. Still, others worked on learning more about prairie dogs and their current population levels. All of these individuals and groups provided information to the USFWS, who ultimately made the decision on the status of the prairie dog with regards to the Endangered Species Act. [/size]
[size 2]Q:[/size][size 2] [/size][size 2]Can I get a copy of the prairie dog management plan?[/size]
[size 2]A:[/size][size 2] Currently, South Dakota’s proposed prairie dog management plan is in revision. However, it will be made available to the public for review in the future. It will be presented to the 2005 Legislature for their approval.[/size]
[size 2]Q: So what is being done now with prairie dogs?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Currently, Game, Fish and Parks is working with government and private landowners to manage prairie dog towns on their properties. The current goal for prairie dog acreage on non-tribal lands is 166,958 acres. GFP is also working with local landowners to reduce or eliminate any unwanted prairie dog colonies that spread from public land. Thus, the State of South Dakota will use a "good neighbor" policy on all lands by developing a "no tolerance" standard for prairie dogs moving onto lands where they are not wanted. The department is also maintaining a prairie dog shooting season on public ground which protects female prairie dogs with litters in the spring.[/size]
[size 2]For these questions and answers and more information on prairie dogs, visit the GFP prairie dog webpage at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size][/font]
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[size 2]"The concept of listing prairie dogs, the proposed management plans and the involved process are detailed topics and can be confusing," said Communications Manager Chuck Schlueter. "To help, we developed this question and answer list in the hopes of giving people a better understanding of what has already happened and what the department is trying to do with prairie dogs in South Dakota." He noted that information is based on the current draft of the "Interim, Revised Black-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation and Management Plan" circa September 2004. The final plan may vary from the figures given below.[/size]
[size 2]Questions and answers include:[/size]
[size 2]Q: Why were the prairie dogs listed as an endangered species?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Based on the current information at the time (1999), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined that approximately 20 percent of the potential habitat for prairie dogs across its range was occupied by prairie dog colonies. Because of this information, the USFWS determined that the black-tailed prairie dog met the definitions of a threatened species. However, the black-tailed prairie dog was never listed as threatened or endangered. It was listed as a candidate species, which meant that the best available information made them eligible to be listed, but the USFWS had higher priority species on the list at the time. Due to better information on current prairie dog acreage numbers, decreased concern about the potential impacts of plague on prairie dog populations and the efforts of several states to address inadequate regulatory mechanisms combined with developing individual state management plans, the USFWS formally removed the species from the candidate list on August 18, 2004.[/size]
[size 2]Q: When did all of this happen?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Please see the timeline below:[/size] [ul] [li][size 2]July 31, 1998: the National Wildlife Federation submitted a petition to list the prairie dog as "threatened throughout its range." The same year, the multi-state, multi-agency cooperative effort was begun to determine population status and to develop strategies to avoid listing in order to preserve state management authority.[/size] [li][size 2]March 2, 1999: the USFWS determined that the petition presented enough information to indicate that a listing may be warranted. The USFWS began a status review to determine if a listing was indeed warranted.[/size] [li][size 2]February 4, 2000: the USFWS announced that listing the black-tailed prairie dog was warranted, but precluded by higher listing priorities. This meant that the prairie dog was designated as a candidate for listing.[/size] [li][size 2]March 18, 2002: a Candidate Assessment was released which indicated the degree of threat to the species from habitat loss, habitat modification, disease and other factors.[/size] [li][size 2]August 12, 2004: the USFWS announced that new information indicated that the black-tailed prairie dog is not likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future and no longer meets the Endangered Species Act definition of threatened.[/size] [/li][/ul]
[size 2]Q:[/size][size 2] [/size][size 2]How many prairie dogs do we have in South Dakota?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]A total of 411,424 acres of prairie dog colonies were documented in an aerial survey conducted in 2003 and 2004. Of this total, 216,750 were on tribal lands and 194,673 acres were on non-tribal lands (private, state, and federal properties).[/size]
[size 2]Q: Why do people care about prairie dogs?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]People care about prairie dogs for a wide range of reasons. Some people care about them because prairie dogs are an important part of the prairie ecosystem, and many other species, such as black-footed ferrets and burrowing owls, depend on their colonies to survive. Others care about prairie dogs and how prairie dog colonies impact their income and livelihood. Some enjoy recreationally shooting prairie dogs and value them for the sport they can provide. Which one is right? It depends on who you ask. All of these viewpoints are valid and it is the responsibility of Game, Fish and Parks to balance all of these needs and views to effectively manage the species.[/size]
[size 2]Q: Who is responsible for the delisting of the prairie dog?[/size]
[size 2]A:[/size][size 2] As you have probably heard on TV and read in the papers, a lot of individuals, agencies, and organizations are taking credit for getting the prairie dog removed as a candidate species from the Endangered Species list. So, who is really responsible for the delisting? It is impossible to say. Literally hundreds of people across 11 states, plus Washington, DC, worked on surveying prairie dog colonies, writing management plans, and speaking to others about the prairie dog issue. Every single one of them worked on this issue. Some, perhaps, to keep the prairie dog on the candidate list. Others worked to get them delisted. Still, others worked on learning more about prairie dogs and their current population levels. All of these individuals and groups provided information to the USFWS, who ultimately made the decision on the status of the prairie dog with regards to the Endangered Species Act. [/size]
[size 2]Q:[/size][size 2] [/size][size 2]Can I get a copy of the prairie dog management plan?[/size]
[size 2]A:[/size][size 2] Currently, South Dakota’s proposed prairie dog management plan is in revision. However, it will be made available to the public for review in the future. It will be presented to the 2005 Legislature for their approval.[/size]
[size 2]Q: So what is being done now with prairie dogs?[/size]
[size 2]A: [/size][size 2]Currently, Game, Fish and Parks is working with government and private landowners to manage prairie dog towns on their properties. The current goal for prairie dog acreage on non-tribal lands is 166,958 acres. GFP is also working with local landowners to reduce or eliminate any unwanted prairie dog colonies that spread from public land. Thus, the State of South Dakota will use a "good neighbor" policy on all lands by developing a "no tolerance" standard for prairie dogs moving onto lands where they are not wanted. The department is also maintaining a prairie dog shooting season on public ground which protects female prairie dogs with litters in the spring.[/size]
[size 2]For these questions and answers and more information on prairie dogs, visit the GFP prairie dog webpage at [/size][size 2][url "http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm"][font "Arial"]www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/PrairieDog.htm[/font][/url][/size][font "Arial"][size 2].[/size][/font]
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