The black-tailed prairie dog deserves to be listed as a threatened species, but won't receive federal Endangered Species Act protections due to a lack of money and staff, said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials on February 4. Predator Conservation Alliance (PCA) is responding with a demand for immediate action from the states and other federal agencies.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) ruled the black-tailed prairie dog "warranted but precluded" for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This means the species is biologically imperiled and in need of protection and a recovery plan, but the FWS will not proceed with a listing proposal or ESA protection.
This decision is the federal government's response to two petitions to list the black-tailed prairie dog for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The first petition was filed by The National Wildlife Federation in July 1998, and the second by Predator Conservation Alliance, Biodiversity Legal Foundation and biologist Jon Sharps in August 1998.
With this decision, the FWS has formally acknowledged that the black-tailed prairie dog is threatened with extinction. This confirms what we stated in our petition that the species and its ecosystem are in dire straits. Unfortunately, the decision only establishes formal recognition of the problem, but changes nothing on the ground for the conservation of theprairie dog.
Noting budgetary constraints and a heavy workload, FWS instead passed the buck to the eleven states within the black-tailed prairie dog's historic range, highlighting the ability and recent "commitment" of these states to improve the plight of the species. PCA notes that the states have yet to act. Unfortunately, all indications to date are that the states are not truly committed to improving the situation for black-tailed prairie dogs.
For instance, since the two petitions were filed in the summer of 1998, none of the involved states have changed the management status of prairie dogs from that of a pest or nongame species to that of a wildlife species of special concern. Nor have the states asked for any reductions in poisoning or recreational shooting of the species on federal and state lands.
The States are Able, But are They Willing?
PCA and Biodiversity Legal Foundation have already responded to the "warranted but precluded" decision by formally requesting that state and federal agencies take immediate actions to remove existing threats to the species.
The agencies have already shown these steps are possible. The U.S. Forest Service placed a temporary moratorium last year on prairie dog poisoning on all Forest Service lands. Last September the Bureau of Land Management banned recreational shooting on 15 prairie dog towns in north-central Montana to increase the chance for success of an adjacent FWS ferret reintroduction program. Also last year, Arizona closed its shooting season on black-tailed prairie dogs. Although this move was more symbolic than effective (black-tailed prairie dogs were extirpated from Arizona over 40 years ago), it helps set the stage for a possible reintroduction in the future.
State and federal agencies may be able to protect prairie dogs without the power of the Endangered Species Act, but they need to prove they are willing. Actions to date - especially from the 11 states - are very inadequate. We continue to wait for adequate proof, but so far the states are failing miserably (see sidebar). Based on upcoming actions (or lack thereof) of all 11 states, we will evaluate all of our legal and administrative options, and do whatever necessary to make sure the black-tailed prairie dog gets the protections it needs and deserves.
We remain committed to seeing prairie dogs occupy 10 percent of all suitable habitat on public lands throughout their historic range. This will benefit both the prairie dog and all of the species that are associated with the prairie dog ecosystem - including the black-footed ferret, swift fox, burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, and mountain plover.
