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Hazard of Secondary Poisoning
Draws AOK's Attention:
Public Comment Submitted to Environmental Protection
Agency
 The
most disturbing element of Rozol (chlorophacinone) use is
its hazard of secondary poisoning for predators that eat the
poisoned animals. Prairie dogs poisoned with Rozol die from
internal bleeding. In one non-sanctioned poisoning in South
Dakota investigators gathered several hundred of the animals
that were continuing to die above ground for three weeks after
application.
 The
flood gates were opened for Rozol use in Kansas as a result
of poorly designed field trials conducted by K-State Extension
& Research “on new chemical control measures for
one of the major chemical companies that produce control agents.”
This “study” was conducted without sufficient
review by other agencies (including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service) and without public notice.
Some county noxious weed control agents in Kansas are now
distributing Rozol widely and are threatening to use it to
eradicate prairie dogs on private lands where landowners are
trying to maintain prairie dog colonies for various ecological,
esthetic, recreational and other reasons.
 In
an attempt to hold off poisoning campaigns on their land,
several Logan County landowners have enlisted the services
of Randall K. Rathbun, a former U.S. Attorney from Wichita
who is experienced in wildlife issues. He has pointed out
that federal laws and regulations prohibit the usage of federally
registered rodenticides in a manner inconsistent with its
label. Yet an official with LIPHA TECH (the manufacturer)
recently stated in a public hearing in Oakley that persons
using Rozol for prairie dog control could ignore the label
requirement specifying that they are to collect and dispose
“of all dead animals above ground”.
Rozol is not currently registered for prairie dog control
in other states, but the manufacturer is trying to get approval
in Nebraska and South Dakota. Officials with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have written convincing letters
urging that it not be approved for prairie dog control in
those states. However, their efforts to protect wildlife from
secondary poisoning has been undermined by the use and promotion
of Rozol by officials in Kansas.
 Earlier
this summer, Audubon of Kansas submitted a lengthy public
comment to the Environmental Protection Agency with our concerns
about the widespread use of Rozol throughout the Great Plains.
Eagles, hawks, swift foxes, badgers, coyotes, and Black-footed
Ferrets, all face the prospect of secondary poisoning from
Rozol on millions of acres if LIPHA TECH gains approval in
other states. LIPHA TECH stands to profit. Logan County alone
obtained enough Rozol to treat up to 300,000 burrows.
The leadership of several Logan County landowners and Audubon
of Kansas, and the involvement of you and many others throughout
the state is vital to restore a sense of broad-based wildlife
stewardship to the shortgrass prairies of western Kansas.
Please let us know if you want to be actively involved in
this issue.
Read the complete
public comment to the EPA.
Download
the complete public comment in PDF form. |
