SD Group Wants More Time On Ferret Plan

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is requesting a delay to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to reintroduce the black-footed ferret in 12 western states.

The association has written a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Director Dan Ashe asking for an extension to the comment period on the plan. The comment period officially ended Friday.

The letter says that the topic of expansion - tied closely to the management of the prairie dog - has the potential to significantly impact the agriculture industry in the 12 states involved in the proposal.

The proposal includes steps to reintroduce and expand the area for black-footed ferret populations in twelve states from Texas to North Dakota.