Devils Tower Adopts New Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management Plan

Date: February 19, 2014
Contact: Nancy Stimson, 307 467 5283

Devils Tower, WY –  A new Prairie Dog Management Plan at Devils Tower National Monument is in effect after a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Prairie Dog Management Plan Environment Assessment (EA) was finalized.  This plan outlines an adaptive management strategy for the management of black-tailed prairie dogs which recognizes the black-tailed prairie dogs as a keystone species, protects visitors and infrastructure, manages disease outbreaks, and helps educate the public.

The new management plan will implement an adaptive strategy for the management of the black-tailed prairie dog.  The plan aims to maintain a healthy prairie dog population, protect Monument resources and infrastructure, and ensure human health and safety. "Prairie dogs are an important keystone species of the mixed-grass prairie habitat of Devils Tower, and are popular with park visitors." said Rene Ohms, chief of resource management.  

The Finding of No Significant Impact report describes how staff will monitor the black-tail prairie dog populations (i.e. numbers, locations, and effectiveness of treatments) and allow for flexibility in adjusting treatments to respond to any changing conditions. Adjustments may include changing the preferred treatment method, treatment location, timing or frequency of treatments to effectively deal with prairie dogs, or the need to treat prairie dogs in a location not currently affected. The plan also allows for the use of new treatment methods as they become available.

Public comments were received as part of the EA and can be viewed in the report along with the responses to those comments. The Finding of No Significant Impact report can be viewed at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/deto.

To learn more about Devils Tower National Monument, contact 307-467-5283, or go to our Facebook page at Devils-Tower-National-Monument-Official-NPS-Site.

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