LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A bill designed to limit the spread of black-tailed prairie dogs in Nebraska has won first-round approval in the Legislature.
Lawmakers voted 30-0 on Wednesday to advance the measure by Ellsworth Sen. LeRoy Louden.
The proposal (LB473) would give counties the power to carry out a management program to help control the animals, which ranchers often view as pests.
The bill is intended to prevent black-tailed prairie dog colonies from expanding from one person’s property to another.
Counties would have the power to notify landowners that a  colony is not being managed, and could require landowners to take action.
Landowners would also have to notify counties that they have moved to address the problem.
The bill requires two more votes before it goes to Gov. Dave Heineman.