Dear Mr. Morgenweck:

I am writing to ask your agency to reconsider removing the candidate species designation of the black-tailed prairie dog under the Endangered Species Act.

The facts support a change in the listing. Prairie dog populations are still at 1-2% of their historic numbers and dropping. Agricultural land users show no signs of abating poisoning and other destructive acts against these animals. Residential and commercial development is threatening prairie dog colonies at an unprecedented rate along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, poisoning and bulldozing of prairie dog colonies have risen alarmingly since the ruling, which offers no protection, came out in February 2000.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are at a critical juncture. If federal protective measures are not initiated, these animals will soon be extinct. Full protection is further warranted because of their indispensable role as a keystone species of the short- and mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. Without the black-tailed prairie dog, the diversity and richness of wildlife across the Great Plains would suffer greatly. Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,

________________________