MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

AMONG

MEMBERS OF WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF
FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES AND OTHER GREAT PLAINS STATES FISH
AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES

Conservation and Management of Black-tailed prairie dog in North America

I. Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to provide guidance for conservation and management of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and short to mid-grass habitats upon which the species depends. Black-tailed prairie dogs are an obligate to short to mid-grass species that require large tracts of grasslands for their survival and viability. Black-tailed prairie dogs historically occurred in at least 11 states, one Canadian province, and two Mexican states. However, this species has been extirpated from Arizona. The current distribution of the black-tailed prairie dog is reduced throughout the species' historic range. Habitat loss and fragmentation, inadequate protection from regulatory mechanisms, plague outbreaks, and control in the form of poisoning, have all been identified as factors in the reduction of the species' range. The long-term trend for black-tailed prairie dog abundance rangewide is downward. The members of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and other Great Plains States' Fish and Wildlife Agencies agree that cooperative efforts are necessary to collect and analyze data on black-tailed prairie dogs and their habitats so that comprehensive state plans may be formulated and initiated to maintain the broadest distribution and greatest abundance possible within the fiscal realities of the member agencies and cooperating partners.

II. Objectives

All member affected agencies agree that black-tailed prairie dogs are an important natural component of the short to mid-grass ecosystem. As such, black-tailed prairie dogs serve as an indicator of the overall health of this important habitat type in western North America. Further, the presence and abundance of black-tailed prairie dogs reflects humankind's commitment to maintaining all natural components of the short to mid-grass ecosystem so that all uses of this type are sustainable over time.

The primary purpose of this MOU is to implement the Conservation Assessment and Strategy (Appendix) for the black-tailed prairie dog, thus establishing an open process by which to identify and carry out such actions that will conserve the species through participation of public and private partners. Specific conservation objectives are:

1. Maintain and increase where possible the present distribution of the black-tailed prairie dog.

2. Maintain and increase where possible the present abundance of the black-tailed prairie dog.

3. Develop strategies using cooperative partnerships to maintain and enhance the specific habitats used by black-tailed prairie dogs throughout their annual cycle.

4. Conduct management experiments of a sufficient scale to demonstrate that management of habitats can stabilize and enhance black-tailed prairie dog distribution and abundance.

5. Collect and analyze population and habitat data throughout the range of the black-tailed prairie dog for use in preparation of state management plans.

6. Develop partnerships with communities, industry, and private landowners to accomplish conservation objectives.

III. Actions

It is the intent of the members of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and other Great Plains States' Fish and Wildlife Agencies to sustain and enhance the distribution and abundance of black-tailed prairie dog through responsible collective management programs. These programs will include:

1. Identification of the present distribution of black-tailed prairie dog in each member state/province.

2. Collection of black-tailed prairie dog population data following standardized protocols throughout the range of the species.

3. Continuation of development of State Management Plans based on the local working group concept.

4. Validation of habitat evaluation models.

5. Completion of genetic analyses across the range of the black-tailed prairie dog to more effectively define and manage individual populations.

6. Development of cooperative partnerships with interested individuals, and private, state, tribal, and federal land managers.

7. Support and implement the revised black-tailed prairie dog population and habitat management guidelines developed through this conservation effort.

8. Further develop and implement the objectives, strategies, and tasks of the Conservation Assessment and Strategy for black-tailed prairie dogs.

9. As needed for this conservation effort, and as available, provide personnel with facilities, equipment, logistical support to implement the conservation strategies.

10. Designate a member to the Black-tailed Prairie dog Conservation Team.

11. Participate regularly in conservation and work group meetings to enhance communication and cooperation, and help develop annual or other work plans and reports.

12. Develop and distribute educational material on this conservation effort.

13. Provide ongoing review of, and feedback on this conservation effort.

14. Cooperate in developing major media releases and media projects.

15. Keep local governments, communities, private citizens, and other interested and affected parties informed on the status of this conservation effort, including ways that might provide local economic benefits.

16. Assist in generating the funds necessary to fully implement this conservation effort.

IV. Responsibilities

1. Each state/province will collect data as recommended by the Black-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Team within the constraints of their budgetary process.

2. All member states/provinces will work cooperatively to maintain and enhance black-tailed prairie dog and their habitats.

V. Approval

We, the undersigned designated officials, do hereby approve this Memorandum of Understanding as recommended by resolution at the Summer Meeting of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in Durango, Colorado on 14 July 1999.

STATE OF ARIZONA
SPECIAL CONDITIONS

1. All cooperators agree to comply with the Governor's Executive Order No. 75-5, entitled "Prohibition of Discrimination in State Contracts - Discrimination in Employment by Government Contractors and Subcontractors."

2. All cooperators hereby are put on notice that this MOA is subject to cancellation by the Governor of the State of Arizona, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 38-511.

3. To the extent required pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-1518 and any successor statutes, the cooperators agree to use arbitration, after exhausting all applicable administrative remedies, to resolve any dispute arising out of this agreement, where not in conflict with Federal Law.

4. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 35-214 and 35-215, and Section 41-1179.04 as amended, all books, accounts, reports, files, and other records relating to any contracts issued under the umbrella of the MOA shall be subject at all reasonable times to inspection and audit by the State for five years after completion of the contract. Such records shall be reproduced as designated by the State of Arizona.

Document BTPD-MOU.dft