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Longmont Prairie Dog Dispute Moves Towards Final Decision

The final decision on the fate of the Longmont prairie dog colony currently residing on the south-west corner of Third Avenue and Great Western Drive could soon be made.

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

The final decision on the fate of the Longmont prairie dog colony currently residing on the south-west corner of Third Avenue and Great Western Drive could soon be made.

The site is to undergo development from HSW Lands LLC and its contractor, Sun Construction and Facility Services Inc. to create a new home for Creative Learning Systems, a Longmont-based company who are having to move out of their previous building due to flood prevention works by the city. Prairie Protection Colorado (PPC) and their local supporters have been rallying to try and secure the relocation of the prairie dog colony currently living on the soon to be developed site. The developers HSW have said they would go ahead with the relocation but only if PPC could fund most of the cost. If not they have expressed an interest in pursuing the option of having the prairie dogs euthanized and then donated to a raptor program as food for the birds of prey.

The ultimate decision on the fate of the prairie dogs sits with the city.

Longmont’s City Code 15.05.030(G)(9)(a) states: “Before the commencement of construction on the development site, any black-tailed prairie dogs inhabiting portions of the site that shall be disturbed shall be relocated according to a relocation plan approved by the city.”  and further: “Only after a good faith effort to relocate the prairie dogs and after consultation with the city about alternatives, may an applicant eradicate the prairie dogs. All good faith efforts shall be documented in writing and submitted to the city for consideration.” 

Prairie dogs at the site (Longmont Observer/Lizzy Rogers)

The city collects the documentation for the good faith effort along with supporting evidence from groups such as PPC and then send it out to a third party for review before making their decision. The Longmont Observer spoke to Joni Marsh, Director of Planning and Development Services for Longmont Monday, June 26th who had this update on the status of the process.

"I have checked with two 3rd parties, one is able to review, which is ERO. All of the information provided to date by the applicant and PPC has been forwarded to them. I do not have confirmation on timing at this time."

When asked how the third party was selected she explained,

"our purchasing process has both on call firms to utilize or, for items under a certain dollar amount, you can request services.  I checked with both the firm on our list and another firm per those guidelines."

The Longmont Observer contacted ERO to find out more about the company and how they conduct their review process. Their Vice President Jack Denman had this to say.

"ERO Resources Corporation is an environmental consulting firm based in Denver for more than 30 years.  We provide fact-based scientific consultation on a wide variety of subjects for a wide variety of clients. It is our standard policy to refer any media inquiries to our clients or their designated representatives." 

No timeline has been given for when a decision will be reached but with HSW needing to start work on July 1st next month if Creative Learning Systems are to stay within Longmont, there may be pressure for that decision to be reached sooner rather than later. With the review from the outside third party now underway the fate of the Longmont prairie dogs may soon be decided.

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