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Natural Resources Assessment <br />P125 Gravel Mine - Southwest of State Highway 66 and County Road 17 <br />Weld County, Colorado <br /> <br />ERO Project #24-180 13 <br />ERO Resources Corporation <br />Other Species and Habitats of Concern <br />Black-Tailed Prairie Dog <br />Species Background <br />The black-tailed prairie dog is a Colorado species of special concern (CPW 2021a). Black-tailed prairie <br />dogs are important components of the short and mesic grasslands systems. Threats to this species <br />include habitat loss and degradation, habitat fragmentation, disease (sylvatic plague), and lethal control <br />activities. Typically, areas occupied by prairie dogs have greater cover and abundance of perennial <br />grasses and annual forbs compared with unoccupied sites (Whicker and Detling 1988; Witmer et al. <br />2000). <br />Black-tailed prairie dogs are commonly considered a “keystone” species because their activities <br />(burrowing and intense grazing) provide food and shelter for many other grassland species and have a <br />large effect on community structure and ecosystem function (Power et al. 1996). Prairie dogs can <br />contribute to overall landscape heterogeneity, affect nutrient cycling, and provide nest sites and shelter <br />for wildlife (Whicker and Detling 1988). Species such as black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), <br />burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), and mountain plover <br />(Charadrius montanus) are closely linked to prairie dog burrow systems for food and cover. Prairie dogs <br />also provide an important prey resource for numerous predators including American badger (Taxidea <br />taxus), coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), golden <br />eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), and other raptors. Prairie dogs also can <br />denude the surface by clipping aboveground vegetation and contributing to exposed bare ground by <br />digging up roots (Kuford 1958; Smith 1967). <br />Suitable Habitat and Effects <br />ERO observed active black-tailed prairie dog burrows in the northern portion of the project area during <br />the 2024 site visit (Figure 2; Photo 3). Although prairie dogs are not protected under the ESA, CPW <br />recommends attempting to remove or exterminate prairie dogs prior to bulldozing an active prairie dog <br />town for humane reasons. Weld County does not have any regulations or policies pertaining to prairie <br />dogs and CPW protocol should be followed. <br />Recommendations <br />If prairie dogs must be removed for any proposed activities, two options typically exist: relocation and <br />extermination. Currently, relocation to other parts of Colorado is not an option due to limited resources <br />for new populations and CPW requires permits to move prairie dogs. Private companies can be hired to <br />relocate prairie dogs, although relocation sites are difficult to secure. If extermination of prairie dogs is <br />the only option, several independent companies provide treatments for prairie dog control. Prior to any <br />work that would disturb a colony from March 15 through October 31, colonies should be surveyed for <br />western burrowing owls. CPW recommends attempting to remove or exterminate prairie dogs prior to <br />bulldozing an active prairie dog town for humane reasons.