News and Updates | August 10, 2011 | Margaret Byfield --

Two years ago, the U.S. Forest Service made the decision to expand the “no-shoot” zone for prairie dogs from approximately 17,000 acres in the Thunder Basin National Grasslands, to 86,000 acres.  Their stated purpose for the expansion was to create the necessary habitat that will eventually support a potential introduction of the endangered black footed ferret.

This part of Wyoming is a checkerboard of federal, state and private lands.  When the Forest Service decided to expand its no-shoot zone, they neglected to implement policies that would protect private landowners and their federal land grazing operations. Converse and Weston Counties have stepped in and initiated coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  However, after two coordination meetings with Converse County, the Forest Supervisor has canceled meetings and delayed further discussions with the local governments while they work to move prairie dogs into neighboring areas, in direct opposition to the County’s position. Weston County has elevated the issue to the Rocky Mountain Regional Supervisor, insisting that the activities be coordinated with the county prior to the Forest Service moving forward.