County Continues Debate on Prairie Dog Control

Some people might see them as cute prairie creatures. Others, however, see prairie dogs as disturbing the soil, causing holes that can result in injured livestock, and potentially spread plague.

In a previous county commissioner meeting, the commissioners met with Matt Anderson of the USDA regarding a yearly contract with the county for services including prairie dog eradication.

On Monday, July 6, the commissioners met with Anderson, Jerry Feist, Tim Veenendaal and opened the meeting to Sen. Steve Erdman, other Panhandle county commissioners and residents of Cheyenne County. The follow-up meeting came about when the commissioners questioned if Anderson, as one person, is capable of eradicating all of the prairie dog colonies in the counties he is assigned to.

“The problem is we have one man to take care of five counties,” said Cheyenne County commissioner Phil Sanders. “That is overwhelming.”

The discussion addressed legalities and how much authority the USDA has to to enter property for rodent control. The commissioners were told the USDA is a little bit like law enforcement; they cannot enter private property without permission.

Commissioner Randy Miller said the county does have a procedure to address pests on private property.

“We've done it before, and we're not afraid to do it again,” he said.

Sanders said the concern is not just agricultural — which is nearing $3 million — but also community health.

“If we get the plague, we're going to lose human beings,” he said.

The commissioners were told part of the challenge is the cost. The USDA works on a cost-sharing program. The commissioners were told sending a staffer to Cheyenne County requires the cost of a hotel stay, and a stipend. The commissioners and USDA representatives also discussed the cost of eradicating prairie dogs. The commissioners were told the biggest cost is the chemicals. Some estimates are as high as $60 per acre. Marvin Philsinger, who also spoke in the meeting, said he had it done by a private firm for $12 per acre, and no prairie dogs have returned to the site.

“They're gone. They haven't come back,” he said.

The discussion turned to licensing and who has authority to apply a chemical. The chemical is a restricted-use pesticide requiring a certificate to use.

“We need to get a program and stay with it,” Miller said. “We've got to get back on the job. We can't take a year off.”

The commissioners voted to renew the county's contract with the USDA on a yearly basis.

In other business, the commissioners approved Sydney Rushman as a new member of the Cheyenne County Fair Board, and met as the Board of Equalization reviewing valuation protests and seating for property valuation protests read into record.

The board also reviewed and considered approval of over/under property valuation changes, and received a report on the county cemeteries, and received a report from Highway Superintendent Doug Hart.