Prairie dog management bill passed

Property owners will be held accountable for stopping the migration of black-tailed prairie dogs under a bill passed by the Legislature March 8. LB473, introduced by Ellsworth Sen. LeRoy Louden, allows counties to adopt a management plan to contain the expansion of prairie dog colonies and employ personnel to implement the plan. Any landowner found to be out of compliance with the ordinance will be served an official notice. The person will then have 60 days to take measures to control the expansion.

If a landowner fails to take action within 60 days, the county will take over management of the colony. Any cost incurred by the county for controlling the migration of prairie dogs will be charged to the offending landowner.
Counties will be required to specify the necessity for a management plan and include a list of methods used to manage the prairie dog colonies.
Senators passed the bill on a 32-11 vote.