Federal agency is reconsidering protecting Gunnison's prairie dog

DENVER — After challenges by environmental groups, federal officials are reconsidering whether the Gunnison's prairie dog should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rejected petitions seeking federal protection for the prairie dog, found in the corners of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The agency said the petition didn't present substantial information to warrant placing the rodent on the endangered species list.

Environmentalists accused the agency of "junk science," saying that Julie MacDonald, a former deputy assistant secretary in the Interior Department, pressured federal biologists to reverse their original finding that protection was warranted.

Last month, H. Dale Hall, Fish and Wildlife Service director, ordered the review of eight decisions on endangered species in which MacDonald was involved.

The new review of the Gunnison's prairie dog follows a court-ordered settlement of a lawsuit by New Mexico-based Forest Guardians and other groups.

Environmentalists say the prairie dog's historic habitat has shrunk by more than 90 percent and much of what is left is in the bull's eye of oil and gas development. Their lawsuit said the Gunnison's prairie dog, slightly smaller than four other North American prairie dog species, is also threatened by poisoning, shooting and plague.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting comments until Oct. 29 on whether the Gunnison's prairie dog should be federally protected.

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Comments can be mailed to:

Gunnison's Prairie Dog Comments

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

764 Horizon Drive, Building B

Grand Junction, CO 81506-3946