The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has granted permits to Garfield and Iron counties to expand development on the Utah prairie dog's habitat. Development would kill more than 8,000 prairie dogs over three years!
Friends of Animals has issued a lawsuit against the USFWS. The animal advocates claim that the permits are classified as "incidental take permits". And rightly so! An incidental take means harassing, killing or degrading protected animals' habitat. The Utah prairie dog is classified as 'threatened'. Human development would be a clear degradation of their habitat.
To make matters worse, the USFWS didn't follow federal law in granting the permits. There was no environmental analysis and no biological opinions were advised.
We need to speak out now to protect these threatened creatures! Sign the petition to call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revoke these illegal permits and protect the Utah prairie dog's habitat!
Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel Ashe,
I urge you to revoke the permits allowing two Utah counties to develop on Utah prairie dog habitat. Development into these habitats would kill upwards of 8,000 prairie dogs over three years. These creatures are listed as threatened under the USFWS and deserve your strong protection!
I stand with Friends of Animals in their lawsuit suing your offices for granting these permits, especially considering that there was no environmental analysis or scientific opinion consulted. The permits are classified as "incidental take permits" because they degrade a protected animal's habitat. This must be stopped!
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
