Administrative Rules of Montana › Department 12 - FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS › Chapter 12.9 - WILDLIFE DIVISION › Subchapter 12.9.10 - Translocation of Prairie Dogs › Rule 12.9.1005 - PROPOSALS TO TRANSLOCATE PRAIRIE DOGS

Current through Register Vol. 13, July 5, 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.