Prairie Dog Coalition
 
For the life of the prairie

March 10, 2010

Management Plan Recommendations

On this page you will find:

  1. Municipal Prairie dog Management Plan Recommendations and
  2. Link to a sample letter for land managers including recommended reading
  1. The following recommendations are suggested for municipal prairie dog management plans, but could be used in other land management applications as well.
    1. Inventory prairie dog habitat on private and public lands on a regular basis.
    2. Design an open space system that does not fragment prairie dog habitat or leave it in isolated conditions. Develop a prairie dog habitat corridor for passage of predators and other wildlife
    3. Impose restrictions on the shooting, poisoning and bulldozing of prairie dogs on private and publicly held lands.
    4. Utilize non-lethal methods of managing prairie dogs on public lands, and require landowners to utilize non-lethal methods, such as properly installed vinyl and metal barriers or native vegetation deterrents to prevent prairie dog colonization of their land.
    5. Require developers to design their projects in a way that will preserve prairie dog colonies on their land. On-site mitigation should be a priority.
    6. Require and regulate a mandatory waiting period during which a developer must make a good-faith effort to relocate prairie dogs from their colony. The waiting period should be no less than 7 months.
    7. Create incentives for developers and landowners to preserve prairie dog habitat on their land.
    8. Require developers to pay a mitigation fee if prairie dog habitat is negatively impacted by development. Developers bear the responsibility of mitigating impact on wildlife habitat, including replacing lost habitat. The fees could go toward the purchase of open space for the purpose of prairie dog relocations.
    9. When a landowner or developer applies for annexation or subdivision and a prairie dog colony is on the land, the city will require a dedication of prairie dog habitat as a condition of approval of the annexation/subdivision request.
    10. Provide city-owned land to serve as a sanctuary for prairie dogs that are displaced because of private or city projects.
    11. Educate the public of the prairie dog’s positive influence on its environment.
  2. Sample letter for land managers including suggested reading - here

For more information or assistance please contact our office.