Project Links
Reintroduction of Endangered Black-footed Ferrets to Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park » Reintroduction of Endangered Black-footed Ferrets to Wind Cave National Park » Document List
The National Park Service is proposing to reintroduce the black-footed ferret within the boundaries of Wind Cave National Park as endangered and authorized under a 10(a)(1)(A) scientific experimental/recovery permit issued under the Endangered Species Act.
This permit allows experimental reintroductions to occur within park boundaries and provides mechanisms to ensure that private property interests outside the park are not impacted. The resulting plan would be used to manage black-footed ferrets reintroduced into the park. The ferrets would be reintroduced with a five year interim "feasibility" recovery effort, but would cease if reintroduction efforts proved unsuccessful.
An environmental assessment was prepared to analyze the impacts of continuing current management (Alternative A, No Action / Continue Current Management) and of implementing an alternative that would reintroduce the ferret to the park (Alternative B, Reintroduce the Black-footed Ferret). Alternative B, was identified as the preferred alternative.
The reintroduction of the black-footed ferret would be consistent with NPS policies (NPS 2006a) regarding recovery of endangered species, as well as support the goals of the Endangered Species Act. There would be no significant adverse effects associated with Alternative B, nor would any park resources or values be impaired. The integrity of the prairie ecosystem in the park would be enhanced with the return of the ferret to its ecological niche.
The preferred alternative will enhance the vitality of wildlife populations, with few adverse effects to natural and cultural resources. The environmental assessment was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9), the National Park Service Director's Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis and Decision-making, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
To read the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for this environmental assessment / plan, click on the "Document List" link above, then click on "Black-footed Ferret Reintroduction Plan FONSI."
Tom Farrell, Information Officer: 605-745-4600
This permit allows experimental reintroductions to occur within park boundaries and provides mechanisms to ensure that private property interests outside the park are not impacted. The resulting plan would be used to manage black-footed ferrets reintroduced into the park. The ferrets would be reintroduced with a five year interim "feasibility" recovery effort, but would cease if reintroduction efforts proved unsuccessful.
An environmental assessment was prepared to analyze the impacts of continuing current management (Alternative A, No Action / Continue Current Management) and of implementing an alternative that would reintroduce the ferret to the park (Alternative B, Reintroduce the Black-footed Ferret). Alternative B, was identified as the preferred alternative.
The reintroduction of the black-footed ferret would be consistent with NPS policies (NPS 2006a) regarding recovery of endangered species, as well as support the goals of the Endangered Species Act. There would be no significant adverse effects associated with Alternative B, nor would any park resources or values be impaired. The integrity of the prairie ecosystem in the park would be enhanced with the return of the ferret to its ecological niche.
The preferred alternative will enhance the vitality of wildlife populations, with few adverse effects to natural and cultural resources. The environmental assessment was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9), the National Park Service Director's Order #12: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis and Decision-making, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
To read the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for this environmental assessment / plan, click on the "Document List" link above, then click on "Black-footed Ferret Reintroduction Plan FONSI."
Contact Information
Dan Roddy, Park Biologist: 605-745-4600Tom Farrell, Information Officer: 605-745-4600