Reporter's Notes

Prairie dog off candidate species list

An updated evaluation of the best available scientific information has led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine that the black-tailed prairie dog is not likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future and no longer meets the Endangered Species Act definition of threatened. Therefore, the prairie dog will be removed as a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act.

Previously, FWS focused attention on a few large black-tailed prairie dog populations impacted by sylvatic plague and assumed that population losses at these sites were indicative of losses across the species' entire range. Based on new data, these assumptions no longer appear appropriate. Dramatic fluctuations in the amount of black-tailed prairie dog occupied habitat at specific large complexes may occur due to plague or chemical control, but they do not appear to influence range-wide species persistence. Recent information illustrates the prairie dog's resiliency to short-term, site-specific population declines.

RMP

The Bureau of Land Management is preparing to release the draft environmental impact statement for the Pinedale Resource Management Plan in early October, according to a statement recently released by the agency. The document will be posted on a BLM website (www.pinedalermp.com) and will be distributed via CD, with only a limited number of printed copies available. For more information, contact the BLM at 307-367-5300.

WOC correction

The Wyoming Outdoor Council did seek out alternate views in its recently aired six-segment series on the Red Desert. The Examiner incorrectly reported that no alternate views were included, but the series did indeed include other views, including those of representatives of the mineral industry.

WOC co-produced the series with KGWC and it was aired on K2 Television's Wyoming news program. WOC will soon be co-producing other packages that will be aired on Wyoming television as well.

Smoking ban

Sublette County Public Health Officer Dr. J. Thomas Johnston is pleased to note that another Wyoming city is contemplating a smoking ban for public places, including restaurants and bars. Laramie council members are considering such a ban, similar to the one already enacted in Casper.

Citing the overwhelming public health benefits of such bans, Johnston looks forward to more Wyoming communities doing the same. In addition, a legislative committee is taking action to draft legislation that would institute such a smoking ban statewide in public places.