Craig Daily Press / DOW releases Prairie Dog Conservation Plan draft

Archive for Saturday, September 13, 2008

The prairie dog could get some government help thanks to a conservation plan that is pending approval. The plan would be used as a guide to maintain two species.

Staff Report

September 13, 2008

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has released for public review its draft conservation plan for the white-tailed and Gunnison's prairie dogs. This plan, when final, will be used as a guide to maintain these two species on native range on public and private lands in Colorado.

The Colorado Gunnison's and White-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Plan can be viewed on the Colorado Division of Wildlife Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/.

The Gunnison's prairie dog is found mainly in southwest Colorado, the San Luis Valley and in South Park; the white-tailed prairie dog is found primarily in northwest Colorado.

Petitions have been filed to list the species under the federal government's Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducted a status review on Gunnison's prairie dog and determined that listing protection for the species is warranted in a portion of its range.

The status review is under way for white-tailed prairie dogs, but a determination has not yet been made.

The public is invited to make comments on the DOW plan. Send comments to Amy.Seglund@state.co.us by Nov. 3.

For those who do not have access to the Internet, send comments to Seglund at 2300 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO, 81401.