RMP Maintenance Action: Incorporation of the BLM's Programmatic Biological Evaluation for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and the USFWS Inter-agency Coordination Memorandum into Field Office RMPs

United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Wyoming State Office P.O. Box 1828 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-1828 In Reply Refer To: 6840 (930) P January 29, 2008 Instruction Memorandum No. WY-2008-024 Expires: 09/30/2009 To: Field Managers, Buffalo, Casper, Cody, Newcastle, and Rawlins From: State Director Subject: Resource Management Plan (RMP) Maintenance Action: Incorporation of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Programmatic Biological Evaluation (BE) for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Inter-agency Coordination Memorandum into Field Office (FO) Resource Management Plans (RMPs) by Maintenance Action The attached document transmits the FWS inter-agency coordination memorandum based on a review of potential activities and conservation measures described under the Buffalo, Casper, Cody, Newcastle, and Rawlins BLM RMPs and the Wyoming BLM Statewide Programmatic Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) BE, and the potential effects of these activities on the black-tailed prairie dog in accordance with BLM’s 6840 manual. The FWS reviewed all of BLM’s activity specific determinations and was in agreement with our proactive analysis and proactive conservation measures, which should serve to guard this species from further decline. The Wyoming BLM Statewide Programmatic Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) BE and the inter-agency coordination memorandum covering the FWS review can be found on the on the internet at http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Wildlife/BTprdog.html. The preliminary determination is that this action is an RMP Maintenance Action as defined in 43 CFR 1610.5-4. The Buffalo, Casper, Cody, Newcastle, and Rawlins BLM FOs should review their existing RMPs, the programmatic BE, and the FWS inter-agency coordination memorandum. If you agree with this determination, please maintain the official hard copy of your RMP within 30 days of the date of this Instruction Memorandum (IM). Please also maintain the web-based copy of your RMP during the same timeframe. If you believe this action may require an RMP amendment, please contact Ken Peacock, Wyoming State Office, at (307) 775-6329. If you have further questions regarding this IM, please contact Jeff Carroll at (307) 775-6090. /s/ Robert A. Bennett 2 Attachments: 1 - Fish and Wildlife Service Memorandum (ES-61411/W.02/WY9860b) (22 pp.) 2 – BLM Wyoming “Final Statewide Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys luvovicianus) Biological Evaluation” (8 March 2007) (54 pp.)