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Iron County approves $1,500 to start youth gopher-abatement program
Summary
The Iron County Commission approved a one-time $1,500 reimbursement to help launch a youth gopher-abatement program led by USU Extension and the E&I Conservation District, establishing a $3 bounty per gopher tail ($1.50 from the county plus $1.50 from participating farmers).
The Iron County Commission voted to provide $1,500 in financial support to a youth gopher-abatement program proposed by USU Extension and the E&I Conservation District.
Becca Esplin, USU Extension and E&I Conservation District, described the program during the May meeting and said it would pay a bounty on gopher tails brought to the extension office, while offering traps and training to youth. "So we're asking you guys to kick in a dollar 50, so the total bounty would be $3," Esplin said, proposing a $1,500 county contribution that would cover up to 1,000 tails in the program's first year.
The program will provide traps and a workshop to teach safe handling; Esplin said participating farmers had agreed to contribute $1.50 per tail when gophers were trapped on private irrigated ground. Commissioner Ken expressed support for the idea before a motion was made and seconded. The motion to approve $1,500 passed on a voice vote.
County staff and presenters said the program will focus first on irrigated farmland and coordinate directly with landowners to avoid conflicts with farm operations. As a precaution, a local farmer advised ensuring all traps are retrieved before harvest operations to avoid damage to equipment.
The extension office will administer payments. Esplin said Beaver and Garfield counties have run similar programs and offered to bring their extension agent to advise during the youth workshop.
The commission recorded no roll-call vote tally in the meeting minutes; the motion carried by voice vote.
