Associated Press - November 16, 2009 9:45 AM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service has released a new plan that allows for more poison to be used to control prairie dog populations in parts of Thunder Basin National Grassland.

There are an estimated 4,000 acres of black-tailed prairie dog colonies on the 572,000-acre grassland, intermingled with about a million acres of private land.

The prairie dog population is dwindling, but private landowners work to keep the animals off their property out of fear that they will eat grass meant for livestock, damage crops and spread disease.

The new plan comes after four years of talks between environmental groups, ranchers and wildlife officials. It allows for poison in some areas after other management attempts, such as moving the animals or using prescribed burning, fail.

Information from: Casper Star-Tribune - Casper, http://www.trib.com

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