Environmental Assessment: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Cannon Air Force Base and Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico
Abstract
The United States Air Force proposes to implement a management program for black-tailed prairie dogs at CAFB and MAFR. The management program would include the creation of prairie dog exclusion areas or "control zones" in areas of MAFR where the prairie dogs will produce the least impact' on Air Force flying operations. The control areas will be established using a combination of lethal and non-lethal methods of controlling prairie dogs, such as capture and relocation, fumigation and the application of toxicants. In addition to the proposed action, the Air Force evaluated an alternative action and a no action alternative. Under the alternative action, a variety of lethal and non-lethal methods, including live capture and relocation, fumigants and toxicants, would be used to eradicate all black-tailed prairie dogs from CAFB and MAFR. This alternative would likely result in a greater benefit to human health and to safety, however, a negative impact to wildlife species dependant on prairie dogs for survival would be expected. Under the no-action alternative prairie dogs would not be managed at CAFB or MAFR. It is anticipated prairie dog colonies would continue expanding under the no-action alternative. This could increase BASH potential, increase erosion which reduces agriculture value and increase the risk to human health and safety.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA636789
Entities
People
- Craig Mccolloch
- Emily Schieffer
- James Landry
- Rob Frei
- Sara Moren
- Walter Moore