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News from
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
HERSETH SANDLIN: NEW TOOLS NEEDED TO MANAGE GROWTH OF PRAIRIE DOGS Increased
Poisoning Should Be Used to Prevent Negative June 7, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin today expressed support for expanded tools, including increased use of poisoning, to manage the rapid expansion of prairie dog colonies on federal lands that is threatening the economic livelihoods of South Dakota ranchers. Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “Rapidly expanding prairie dog colonies have posed a serious and growing threat, not only to ranchers who have grazing permits on federal land, including the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, but to surrounding private landowners as well. Unfortunately, the years-long drought South Dakota has suffered has only made the problem worse, as the prairie dog population has thrived. In particular, this growth poses a real threat to the economic viability of ranchers in the region around the Conata Basin.” Rep. Herseth Sandlin continued, “To help improve the situation, I strongly support authorizing the use of new tools to manage their growth, including increased use of poisoning. We simply must do more to prevent a potentially devastating economic impact on agriculture in western South Dakota.” Earlier this week, the U.S. Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement outlining a range of possible options to manage the rapid expansion of prairie dog colonies on federal lands. The Forest Service laid out five separate proposals, ranging from adhering to the status quo to authorizing varying amounts of increased poisoning on public land. The draft statement issued by the forest service is now followed by a 45 day comment period, when the general public will be encouraged to register their opinions on the proposals. Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “I encourage all South Dakotans to make their voices heard on this issue, and be assured that I will as well. Unfortunately, the fact that this problem has been allowed to get to this point is another example of a national policy that has unintended consequences in rural America. While I recognize the need for a responsible policy regarding endangered species such as the black-footed ferret, I simply do not understand how we could get to a point where those interests take complete precedence over the needs of ranchers who have lived off the land for generations and who depend upon the beef cattle industry for their livelihoods. It is representative of either a lack of understanding or a lack of appreciation for our rural way of life.” In 2004, Rep. Herseth Sandlin joined with others in a successful effort to keep the black-tailed prairie dog off of the endangered species list. She wrote to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steven A. Williams as well as Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton requesting that prairie dogs be removed from the candidate list. Subsequently, in August, 2004, the prairie dog was removed thanks in part to these efforts. # # # Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. |
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