Prairie dog meeting May 6

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
“There is widespread concern over black-tailed prairie dogs, population viability, control efforts and natural occurrences such as disease. There is also concern over the prairie dog’s potential impact on public health, infrastructure, and the local agriculture meeting,” a United States Forest Service press release dated April 18 states. 
The entity has recently released a Proposed Action to amend the Thunder Basin National Grassland Land and Resources Management Plan. This amendment, according to the release, “will address management of the black-tailed prairie dog colonies on National Forest System lands to balance prairie dog colony conservation and control with other Grassland uses.”
A public comment period on the amendment will last 30 days after publication. a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the amendment has been published in the Federal Register. 
“This effort incorporates new science, lessons learned, and priorities managing black-tailed prairie dogs in alignment with state partners while considering the needs of private land owners,” the release states. “The proposed action established management zones, identifies tools for colony conservation and control, and sets a target range for colonies to ensure species viability.”
A public meeting for this project will be held in Douglas at the Converse County Library, 300 E. Walnut Street, on May 6 beginning at 4:30 p.m.. A presentation will be given at 5 p.m. and project information and maps will be available as well as grassland staff to answer any questions. 
“A project webinar is also scheduled for May 8 on Adobe Connect from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time). A presentation on project details begins at 11 a.m. and includes time for questions and answers with grassland staff,” the release states. “Login information will be posted on the project web site prior to the webinar.”
The agency is asking for any comments on this project, the proposed action or alternatives to help identify issues and develop other alternatives. Finalization of the amendment is anticipated to occur late 2020. 
Comments can be submitted online through the public participation forum at cara.ecosystem-management.org or mailed to Thunder Basin Plan Amendment Comments, Thunder Basin National Grassland Supervisor’s Office, 2468 Jackson St, Laramie, WY 82070.
Details on the proposed action, project reference materials and maps are available at www.fs.fed.us.