HomeMy WebLinkAbout20062807 United States Forest Pawnee 660"O"Street
USDA Department of Service National Grassland Greeley,CO 80631
Agriculture Voice: (970)346-5000 TDD: (970)346-5015
Web: www.fs.fed.us/r2Jarnf
Fax: (970)346-5014
File Code: 1950
Date: October 16, 2006
Dear Interested Party:
On October 13, 2006 I made a decision to implement management and conservation strategies
for black-tailed prairie dogs and their habitat on the Pawnee National Grassland (PNG). Under
this decision, the PNG will manage for a minimum of 200 acres of black-tailed prairie dog
colonies in a minimum of 12 towns, and a maximum population of 8500 acres of prairie dog
colonies with no upper limit on the number of towns. The locations where prairie dogs will and
will not be allowed are described and identified by allotment. A list of lethal management tools,
non-lethal management tools, conservation tools, and habitat manipulation tools are identified to
manage black-tailed prairie dog populations and habitat on the PNG. A list of triggers is
identified to help determine when action is needed tit) implement tools to manage prairie dog
populations and their habitat on the PNG. A series of decision criteria are identified to provide
guidance to the Forest Service decision maker to help pick the appropriate prairie dog
management tool to address the trigger points. A monitoring plan is identified.
The above is a summary of my decision, but I encourage you to get a copy of the Decision
Notice which documents the entire decision. The Decision Notice is available at the Pawnee
National Grassland Office at 660 "O" Street in Greeley, CO, at the Forest Supervisor's Office at
2150 Centre Avenue in Fort Collins, CO or is available on the web at
httu://www.fs.fed.us/r2/amf/projects/eaprojects/png/pdog/index.shtml. To obtain a hard copy of
the Decision Notice, or a copy of the Decision Notice on CD ROM, or to obtain additional
information,please contact Beth Humphrey at (970) 346-5004, or via email at
ehurnplue_y@fsled.us.
In making the decision, I considered the input provided by the public pertaining to the control
and conservation of prairie dogs on the Pawnee National Grassland. In making the decision I
tried to find a balance between two very opposing views, one favoring control and the other
favoring conservation. I believe that my decision has found the balance between these opposing
views.
My decision is subject to appeal, under Forest Service Regulation 36 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 215, or under 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 251, Subpart C. 36 CFR 215
appeals must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of the decision legal notice in the
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Greeley, Tribune, the newspaper of record. 36 CFR 251 appeals must be filed within 45 days
following the date on the Decision Notice. Appeals received after the 45 day appeal period will
not be considered. The appeal opportunities are described fully in the Decision Notice.
Sincerely,
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STEVEN R. CURREY`t.J
District Ranger
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