HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandout, Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Action Plan. ,
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TO: Members of City Council
Parks and Recreation Advisory Boazd
Open Space Board of Trustees
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FROM: Ed von Bleichert, Vice Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Boazd
SUBJECT: Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Acuon Plan
DAT'E• January 22 2002
In the interest of time at this evening's study session, I have compiled a list of issues surrounding
the management of prairie dogs in the Boulder Vailey azea. This document is not intended to
represent the views of the Parks and Recreation Advisory $oazd.
Review of current colonies within the system
. Determme schedule of potenhal and planned development on pubhc and private lands.
. Idenbfy potential contlicu wuh surrounding land uses
. Sigmficance in the overall system - geogaphically, genehcally, biologically
. C~ry lands where praine dogs are not "appropnate "
~ Re-evaluate HabiTat ConservaUon Areas as suggested by OSMP
2. Aggressive management on city property
. Prompt dec~s~ons on long term status of e~cisting and potenhal future colomes
. Eacpenmentahon with, and wstallauon of effechve barriers. '
. Creanon of buffer zones azound current colomes Creates an"expansion ~owt" of sorts Allows relocahon
to occur on our schedule.
. Potential removal &om "mappropnate" srtes? Look at each srte on a case by case basis,
Increased coopenUon and commwucation between city departments
. Interdepamnental meeUng to discuss ordmance ~mplementahon
. Plannmg dept assistance m reviewmg srte plans eazly on
. OSMP to esTablish "protected" areas at conshuchon srtes
. Snow fencmg to protect ex~sUng burrows
. Better coordmahon of consttuchon schedules and orc~nance requvements
. Sh onger language m construcnon conaacts.
4. Maintazn current HCA's in a way that leaves room for flexibility•
. Expansion tluough nahval processes
. Protection of other gassland spec~es/values.
. NLmm~ze conflicts wrth other charter responsibil~hes, ~ e, Water nghts, agncukure, etc
. Re]ocat~ons from buffer zones of exisUng colomes on c~ty ]and
. Relocataons from actrve recreahon azeas such as playmg fields
. Noxious weed management.
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5 Take the lead on the front-range
. Hold other ]andowners in ihe County accountable
. Don't allow all others off the hook by always acceptutg their dogs. Sets bad precedent while
faciLtatmg a loss of hab~tat Defers the problem to a later daTe and stresses Boulder's cazrying
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capac~t}r, bnngmg the system closer to ~ts own crisu po3nt
- ~. Implement "Habrtat Miugadon" pol~cy similar to federal wetland policy. Although acreage to gain
may be small, sends a strong message about habitat protechon ~'
. ;avestigate potential to purchase land in eastem counhes. Requu~es negottauon with County "`
Commissioners Could be }aint effort of Boulder County Takes pressure off entue system
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