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"PRAIRIE MANAGEMENT PLAN" APPROACH 



The proposed project is based on a simple but 

 compelling assumption -- prairie dogs are a valuable and 

 essential component of the prairie ecosystem. Therefore, 

 natural resource management on the Cheyenne River Sioux 

 Reservation should be conducted so that all wildlife species 

 can maintain their rightful place in the environment in 

 conjunction with livestock production. This approach 

 emphasizes Lakota cultural traditions, biodiversity and 

 integrated land management for multiple use. 



While studies have indicated that excluding or 

 decreasing cattle grazing increases the cool- or warm-season 

 grass density and reduces prairie dog colony size, this 

 method of prairie dog control has historically been opposed 

 or rejected by the livestock community. Effective 

 management strategies require a significant capital 

 investment in range improvement which is currently beyond 

 the financial means of the Tribe or individual operators. 

 The proposed management objectives are also long-term as 

 opposed to the relatively "quick fix" of poisoning, however, 

 the Tribe is confident that with adequate funding and 

 support, individual operators will subscribe to the proposed 

 management techniques, thus overcoming historical support 

 for poisoning. 



The BIA acknowledges that substantial changes in 

 grazing systems, resulting in more and taller vegetation 

 would actually reduce the density of prairie dog towns. 

 However, the Tribe and BIA lack sufficient resources to 

 effectively develop and implement such grazing management 

 plans. It would require approximately five years to change 

 the dominant vegetation from buffalograss {Buchloe 

 dactyloides) and blue gramma (Bouteloua gracilus) 

 associations to western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii) and 

 associated grasses which characterize a healthy ecosystem. 

 Rangelands which are dominated by western wheatgrass are 

 considered to be in "good to high-good" condition. 



Although the issues are complex, the solution is 

 simple -- restoration of rangelands to a health mixed-grass 

 ecosystem. When prairie lands are in a healthy vegetative 

 state, prairie dog expansion is stabilized or occurs at 

 acceptable levels, thereby allowing for the delicate balance 

 and interrelationships of species necessary for 

 biodiversity. Under appropriate management strategies, 

 healthy prairie ecosystems can also sustain cattle 

 production in harmony with wildlife species. Rehabilitation 

 of the range will also result in many other benefits, such 

 as the enhancement of other important wildlife populations. 



