Prairie Dog Coalition
 
For the life of the prairie

July, 25 2008

Random Resource

Power Point Presentations

Recent Alerts

North America’s Most Important Prairie Dog Colony Up for Poisoning.

While every prairie dog colony is important, the recovery effort of the endangered black-footed ferret would argue that Conata Basin is the most critical prairie dog colony to recovering North America’s most endangered mammal.

The black-footed ferret depends on large prairie dog towns for food, shelter and raising its young. About 250 ferrets live in the basin– the largest wild population among the 13 sites where reintroduction of the species has been attempted.

The plan stems from more complaints from the ranchers who graze their cattle on the public land. Even though the U.S. Forest Service generates a mere $3,300 a year from these grazing permittees, the government is again bending to political pressure by even considering this heinous poisoning plan.

Not only does this plan kill prairie dogs with poison, it jeopardizes the entire prairie dog ecosystem the prairie dogs support including hawks, ferrets, foxes, burrowing owls and more. To help stop this proposal, the Prairie Dog Coalition has teamed up with other organizations combating this effort. We sponsored the Endangered Species Day Celebration, will advertise in the local newspapers, take a diverse group of constituents to meet with the Forest Service and provide resources to members to enhance their efforts to stop this plan.

You can help by writing Nebraska National Forest Supervisor, Don Bright and telling him you want priority given to our native prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets.

Email comments-rocky-mountain-nebraska@fs.fed.us
Subject line: 2007 Black-tailed Prairie Dog Comments
or mail to

125 N. Main St. Chadron, NE, 69337.

For more alert information and pictures of our recent trip to Conata Basin visit our website. To go on a virtual tour of Conata Basin - the area proposed to poison, click here!

Conata Basin May 17, 2007 - Area Proposed for Poisoning

STOP PRAIRIE DOG POISONING!

Forest Service Seeks Input on Prairie Dog Management & Ferret Re-Introduction Plan.

Westminster Alert!

Written by Donna Nespoli, Board Member, Prairie Dog Action

Last week, the City of Westminster poisoned the burrows of 400-600 prairie dogs on open space located on the north side of Big Dry Creek. According to the City, the purpose for the extermination was to create a prairie dog free buffer zone which is adjacent to their new athletic ball park complex north of this site. This site directly connects to Westminster open space and open space located behind Front Range Community College. Please keep in mind that only last year, the City hired Roe Ecological to remove and exterminate prairie dogs that inhabited the new park site. Now the City has gone beyond the immediate park site to exterminate more prairie dogs in open space as a buffer area. A buffer of this magnitude should not be needed if the barrier is proper and maintained properly. Poisoning was probably just easier for the city.

Some of the phone calls we received stated that there are dead and dying prairie dogs all over the area. The US Dept. of the Interior just recognized the City of Westminster's Big Dry Creek Trail as a National Recreation Trail. I am not sure seeing dead animals lying around and the ecosystem being destroyed piece by piece is "recreational" for anyone. Anyone who has spent any time out there knows that numerous species of raptors nest and feed there. Many raptor species are federally protected, yet their prey animals are not. Does that make much sense?

It seems the City of Westminster is bound and determined to get rid of any native area they can, the wildlife just collateral damage. The result, we are on our way to a paved paradise devoid of the nature and wildlife that makes Colorado special.

It is believed that the toxicant used was aluminum phosphide (AP) which is a category 1 pesticide (the highest toxicity category) and regulated by the EPA. Due to the toxicity of this pesticide, only certified applicators are permitted to use it under very strict labeling guidelines. AP is known to kill non-target burrowing rodents, burrowing owls, reptiles and amphibians, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, weasels and skunks (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). Additionally, the label specifically states that the use of any pesticide in a manner that may kill or otherwise harm an endangered or threatened species or adversely modify their habitat is a violation of federal laws. Applicators should consult with Local, State and Federal Game Authorities to ensure that endangered species do not inhabit the area proposed for treatment.

All applicators are required to adhere to the labeling instructions on the chemical used. The label specifically requires that fumigated areas be placarded with the signal word Danger/Peligro and skull and crossbones symbol in red. The signage must state the date and time the fumigation is to begin and is completed, name of fumigant used and the name, address and telephone of applicator.

We would like to see the City of Westminster produce the wildlife study that should have been conducted in this area prior to the application of AP. One person that viewed the site photographed treated burrows that had bird droppings around the mouth of the burrow. This may be indicative of burrowing owl activity and if there were no burrowing owls, then this should have been documented.

The signage placed in a high public use open space area was simply "Prairie Dog Control Please Stay on Trail and Keep Pets on Leash". We believe that for the health and safety of the community that the City of Westminster failed to provide or require said applicators to post, adequate notification that AP was applied in the area. This should be of high concern as people or pets may come in contact with this toxin if they unearthed recently sealed burrows. As the chemical is highly toxic to people and pets, it is of utmost importance that veterinarians and emergency personnel are aware of the toxicant used for proper medical treatment.

I would personally appreciate any help you can give. I would also be willing to write letters for you and send with your permission. It does not matter if you are a Westminster resident!! Colorado wildlife belongs to the people of the state of Colorado. Folks in the north, south, east or west should all be outraged. If you are a FRCC student or staff, your voice is much needed.

What you can do: Please write POLITE letters to the following people listed below.Simply let them know you do not support habitat destruction and poisoning of our wildlife. Also let them know you resent the city apply toxic chemicals to a recreation area without adequate notice. Also, write that you cannot support a candidate that does not appreciate the importance of wildlife preservation on open space lands. Again, I really appreciate any help you can give ~ Donna Nespoli

Also, please consider writing a letter to a newspaper:

Address letters to: