Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) Persons may translocate prairie dogs
provided that a proposal for the translocation complies with this subchapter
and is approved by the appropriate department regional supervisor(s).
(2) The sending/receiving area proponents
shall provide a translocation proposal to the department regional supervisor
(or both regional supervisors if more than one department administrative region
is involved).
(3) A proposal for
translocation of prairie dogs must conform to the Montana Environmental Policy
Act (MEPA) and must include the following information:
(a) name(s) of the willing owner(s) of the
sending area and name(s) of the willing owner(s) of the receiving
area;
(b) a map illustrating land
ownership and public lands leases, for thesending area and land ownership and
public land leases within a six-mile radius of thereceiving area;
(c) a rationale explaining the need for and
the objectives of the translocation, and an explanation of why relocation of
prairie dogs from the sending area to the receiving area is
desirable;
(d) evidence that
landowners and/or public land managers within a six-mile radius of thereceiving
area have been notified by certified mail of the proposed translocation of
prairie dogs. Any comments by these potentially affected landowners and/or
public land managers regarding the proposed translocation must be included in
the proposal;
(e) a description of
both the sending and receiving areas which should include, but are not limited
to, the following:
(i) general
topography;
(ii) vegetation
types;
(iii) landscape setting;
and
(iv) a discussion of recent and
historic occupancy of the area by prairie dogs, incidence of disease, past
poisoning efforts if known, presence or absence of other associated species in
the area for both the sending and the receiving areas, and any other
information supporting the ultimate success of the translocation such as site
preparation or natural habitat features that promote retention of translocated
prairie dogs and that are conducive to long-term maintenance of prairie dogs
and other wildlife species associated with prairie dogs;
(f) a description of potential threats to
other wildlife species and to agricultural production that may occur as a
result of the proposed translocation. The proposal must contrast potentially
significant threats with potential benefits;
(g) measures the applicant(s) intends to use
to minimize potential threats to other wildlife species and to agricultural
production;
(h) a description of
how the trapping and transport guidance criteria of ARM
12.9.1010 will be met;
(i) a description of how the monitoring plan
criteria of ARM
12.9.1020 will be met;
(j) a description of how the conflict
resolution plan of ARM
12.9.1025 will be met;
(k) a statement indicating whether the
sending and receiving areas have been prioritized by the department regional
office; and
(l) copies of any
documents required for environmental compliance (including public notification)
or permits required by federal, state and/or local government.
(4) Translocation of prairie dogs
from federal land to federal land within a national wildlife refuge will be
coordinated in advance with the appropriate department administrative region.
Translocation of prairie dogs originating from outside a national wildlife
refuge, to areas within a refuge, will follow the procedures established by
this subchapter.
87-1-301,
87-5-105, MCA; IMP,
87-1-301,
87-5-105,
MCA;