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Current Status:

Most Utah prairie dogs occur on private lands where they face threats from eradication programs. The species is also threatened by recurring plague outbreaks.

Achievements:

The final amendment to a special rule expanding the authorized prairie dog control program was published in the June 14, 1991, Federal Register. This allows the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to issue permits for eliminating up to 6,000 Utah prairie dogs per year on private lands throughout the species' range in order to reduce the effects of prairie dogs on private land. To further reduce conflicts, more than 1,300 prairie dogs were relocated in 1991 and 1992 from private lands into areas with existing colonies on Bureau of Land Management lands. A section 7 consultation with the Federal Highway Administration for proposed modifications to Interstate 15 in Cedar City resulted in a no-jeopardy biological opinion, and the Federal Highway Administration agreed to relocate prairie dogs from the construction site. A section 7 consultation was also completed with the Bureau of Land Management on a proposed transfer of lands to Garfield County. A no-jeopardy biological opinion was rendered after the Bureau of Land Management agreed to retain portions of the land that contained prairie dog colonies.

Current Recovery Needs:

Necessary recovery actions include relocating Utah prairie dogs from private lands into new and existing colonies on public lands, monitoring relocated colonies, conducting an annual census of spring breeding populations, and studying active colonies to determine which factors contribute to colony viability.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources was provided $10,000 in FY 1992 to assist in relocating prairie dogs from private lands to public lands.

Partnerships

Bureau of Land Management: This Federal agency has identified and monitored Utah prairie dog populations on its lands and is assisting in the relocation of prairie dogs from private lands.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has conducted annual breeding censuses, which show population changes in the three prairie dog recovery areas, and has trapped prairie dogs on private lands for relocating into existing colonies on public lands.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/30/91.