BLM Utah Prairie Dog Recovery Implementation Program

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Background: The Utah Prairie Dog (UPD) (Cynomys parvidens) is found only in southwestern and central Utah. The prairie dog was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to declining populations resulting from urban development and disease. The population has gradually increased over the last 35 years, which is attributed to the cooperative efforts of local, state and federal partnerships and through implementation of the UPD Recovery Plan. The UPD Recovery Implementation Program (UPDRIP) was established in 2010 was a multi-agency cooperative effort intended to implement the Recovery Plan by coordinating and facilitating the recovery of the UPD (UPD) while balancing and accommodating land use development within the species range. In addition, UPDRIP provided the option to incorporate conservation and recovery actions for other native species within the range of the UPD to the extent that such actions were consistent with UPDRIP goals. Since its inception, a myriad of significant accomplishments occurred under the UPDRIP partnership. Enhanced coordination through UPDRIP allowed partners to more effectively address threats to the UPD and make progress toward recovery that included habitat protection, plague abatement, establishing new populations on protected lands, along with annual population and habitat monitoring. Planning documents developed though the coordination of UPDRIP partners now clearly chart a path to the ultimate goal of recovery. Recently, UPDRIP has been dissolved and replaced by the UPD Oversight Group (UPDOG). The mission of UPDOG is to expand on UPDRIP partnership and continue the ongoing long term multi-partner collaboration that has supported the recovery of the UPD while balancing the land use needs of the public. Key agencies (local, state and federal) that are supporting the recovery of the UPD include Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Natural Resources, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, County Representatives (Iron, Wayne and Garfield Counties) and Southern Utah University. Objectives: As discussed, the UPD was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The project would expedite the recovery efforts and improve progress toward delisting the UPD from the Endangered Species list. The primary objectives of the project are as follows: 1. Work towards the recovery of the UPD so that it no longer requires protection under the Endangered Species Act. 2. Identify recovery actions for the UPD relying on the Recovery Plan (USFWS 2012), UPD 5-Year Management Unit Plans (UPDRIP 2014), and the Population Structure for UPD Recovery white paper (UPDRIT 2013) for actions such as translocation, plague abatement, and habitat improvement. 3. Take an adaptive management approach wherein biological information is gathered, reviewed and incorporated into recovery actions as required. The project will ensure effective collaboration and communication between all agencies (local, state and federal) to ensure the recovery of the UPD. In addition, there are opportunities to further the education of college students who are interested in studying Wildlife Biology. The project will provide opportunities for students and other personnel to study the UPD and its habitat, as well as the coordination necessary between different agencies to properly manage and recover the species. Public Benefit: The prairie dog is widely recognized as a ⿿keystone⿝ species which means it has a significant effect on its surrounding environment. The species provides a food source for other animals. They also provide habitat for a host of other species. However, the presence of the prairie dog complicates public land management and use. Actions taken to recover the UPD will benefit the general public by providing for habitat diversity. Implementation of necessary recovery actions will ultimately result in the removal of the prairie dog from the endangered species list and will provide more land use options for the public. The information gained from this project will assist the BLM in the development of recovery activities on public lands. The project will reduce redundancy in the various agencies⿿ efforts and increase the efficiency of recovery activities overall. It is anticipated that in increase in protected UPD habitat will occur as a result of this project. By speeding up recovery and minimizing the threats to the species by protecting habitat and supporting disease management, delisting will be that much more achievable. Delisting the species is the ultimate benefit to the public, but the project is also anticipated to benefit the public immediately by educating them on options available to land owners who have UPDs on their property. In summary, the public significantly benefits from the implementation of this project by reaping the benefits of improved, coordinated management of the UPD. The public, especially those using BLM administered lands or those attempting to develop private or state lands will benefit if management developed by the program coordinator leads to the delisting of the species.

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