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The City of Boulders Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Departmentisseeking publicfeedbackon a draft approach and an evaluation of potential actions to manage irrigable agricultural landwithlarge populations of prairie dogs.

OSMPsidentificationofa draft approach and its evaluation of potential actions isaresponse todirection from the Boulder City Council,following a recommendation from the Open Space Board of Trustees(OSBT)last spring, to undertake an expedited public process to look at agricultural uses on the citys northern grasslands. Potential management actions evaluated includeways to help foster soil health and carbon sequestration and options forbothnon-lethal and lethal control measures.

The city welcomes public feedback on the draft approach and the evaluation of potential actions online at http://bit.ly/Actions-Approach until 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16.Community membersare invitedto theOSMPHub at 2520 55thSt. from5to7p.m.,Monday, Jan. 27, and2 to 4 p.m.,Tuesday, Feb. 4,if they needassistancein using the citysonline inputtool.

City policiesplans and ordinances have prioritized non-lethal control measures and have sought to protect prairie dogs and their habitats because they are important in helping to maintain healthy ecosystems. However, monitoring has indicated that OSMP irrigable agricultural lands currently have thehighest levels of prairie dog occupation they have seen since the department beganprairie dogmapping in 1996.

Such high abundance of prairie dogs on irrigable landsnorth of Bouldermakesit difficult forOSMPand farmers and rancherstofulfillagricultural-related open space purposes in the city charter and to implement soil carbon farming and climate mitigation practices.Elected and appointed leaders, in their direction to staff last May,indicatedthat it may beinfeasible to address large prairie dog populations on agricultural lands in a timely or economical fashion by current non-lethal practices alone.Currently,the city has 967 acres of irrigable agricultural land that is occupied by prairie dogs,butitcan only accommodate the relocation ofabout40 acres of prairie dog colonies each yearbecause of costs, contractor availabilityand permitting requirements.

The preliminary potential managementactionsevaluated as part of this public process focus on thesemanagement categories:

Comments received throughTuesday, Feb. 4, will be provided to the Open Space Board of Trustees(OSBT)in advance of a study sessionWednesday, Feb. 12, when board members willdiscussstaffs potential strategies and actions.Community members are welcome to provide comments to the OSBT during a public comment period before theWednesday,Feb. 12,study session.Staff willthenuse community input and OSBT feedback on the draft approach and evaluated actions to developfinal recommendations, which the department expects to present to the OSBTduring a public hearingin March.

For more information, please visit the project website or call OSMP at 303-441-3440.

Published: Jan. 6, 2020

Phillip Yates, Media Relations, 303-349-2438Bryan Rachal, Media Relations, 303-441-3155

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City Seeks Input on Potential Approach and Actions to Manage Irrigable Agricultural Areas With a High Abundance of Prairie Dogs - City of Boulder