Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of Nonessential Experimental Population Status and Reintroduction of Black-Footed Ferrets in South-Central South Dakota

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Tribe), the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, will reintroduce endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) into south-central South Dakota on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. The purposes of the reintroduction are to implement actions required for recovery of the species and to evaluate and improve reintroduction techniques and management applications. We may release surplus captive-raised or wild- born black-footed ferrets annually for several years until a self- sustaining population is established. If this reintroduction program is successful, a wild population could be established in 5 years or less. The Rosebud Sioux Reservation black-footed ferret population will be established as a nonessential experimental population in accordance with section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We will manage this population under provisions of this special rule. An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared on this action.