One of the American West’s most iconic animals is under attack. The black-tailed prairie dog has lost 99 percent of its historic range due mainly to ranching and development. Regard for this keystone species seems to have been cast aside in the interest of growth, and when prairie dog colonies get in the way of development projects, developers have free rein to poison and shoot them at will.

Despite the critical role these critters play in America’s grassland ecosystems, officials make it extremely hard for any real measures to be taken to help save this important keystone species. When developers wish to build on prairie dog habitat, it is up to do-gooders to find new lands to relocate the colonies to. If they can’t, the entire population is poisoned so the developer can begin construction.

Wildlands Defense  proposes a shift in the dynamic, and asks Boulder City and County to put the responsibility of relocating prairie dogs on the developers who wish to destroy their habitat. Prairie dog colony relocation is costly, and it may just make developers think twice before ravaging pristine prairie land. If they don’t want to dole out the funds to relocate them, they may choose to seek alternative locations for their projects, which would be the ultimate salvation for this highly threatened species and for the prairie itself.

Federal and local governments agree -- it is essential to our overall environmental health for the American prairie ecosystem to be protected and restored. Prairie dog survival is essential to this goal. We insist that Boulder County and city officials change their development policy when it comes to displacing prairie dogs. Those who want to take their land should be responsible for finding suitable new habitat for them.