Allow an experimental, non-essential black-footed ferret reintroduction on one site within the DMRA.
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BLACK-FOOTED FERRET, WHITE-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG: "FW32/PW11— Allow an experimental, non-essential black-footed ferret reintroduction on one site within the DMRA as described in the 1994 DMRA RMP. Maintain the 16,600 acres of potentially suitable habitat in Eightmile Flat (one of five potential reintroduction areas) (inclusive of the portion in the Pariette Wetlands ACEC) by avoiding any activities that will render potential black-footed ferret habitat unsuitable for future reintroduction until habitat studies at all five sites are completed. (Note: based on the 2001 mapping of the Eightmile Flat area, this complex or colony has been severely reduced. The current size of the complex or colony is approximately 7,759 acres in size.) However, should Eightmile Flat area be selected, the pre-release guidelines, as identified in the DMRA RMP would be continued. Should the Eightmile Flat are not be selected, the protective actions imposed will be withdrawn. Following actual reintroduction, the site will be managed in accordance within the site-
specific plan developed for the reintroduction.
Habitat Stipulations
Stipulations that would apply to the Eightmile Flat site as a result of the habitat studies and selection of a
reintroduction site are listed below.
âˆ' Surface disturbance activities will be limited to a maximum of a cumulative total of 10 percent within the
Eightmile Flat potential ferret habitat area.
âˆ' Surface disturbing activities will avoid potential ferret habitat. If activities cannot, they will cross in areas of low prairie dog density (<10 burrows/acre), cross at the shortest distance through the prairie dog habitat, or disturb sites not currently being used by prairie dogs. This guideline will not apply to maintenance and operation of existing facilities.
âˆ' Potential ferret habitat will remain open to mineral entry with appropriate mitigation.
âˆ' Power lines will avoid potential ferret habitat. If they cannot, they will be buried or designed to preclude
raptors from using them as hunting perches.
âˆ' Non surface-disturbing geophysical exploration will be allowed year-round.
If ferrets leave a reintroduction area (i.e., Coyote Basin and other future reintroduction sites within the
DMRA), all protective stipulations that applied to the reintroduction area will not apply. It would be the
USFWS' responsibility to trap and return the ferrets to the reintroduction area.
Any ferret accidentally taken must be reported to the USFWS immediately."
