Council up in arms over plans to gas marmots at shopping mall

Thursday, June 3, 1999 | 1:41 a.m.

A group of marmots that have taken up residence near a new shopping center have touched off a dispute between a developer that planned to gas the pesky critters and a city councilwoman who has vowed to keep that from happening.

"The problem with these guys (marmots) is they are rats," said John Krmpotic, project manager for the Houston-based developer, SCC Development.

"When you say you want to gas a rat, nobody will say anything. But marmots are cute rats," he said.

Wildlife officials thought they solved the problem last year when they called in experts to trap about 75 of the little fellows, which look a bit like beavers and are known for their shrill whistle.

But several marmots - which hibernate in the winter - have started showing up again at the new $15 million shopping center in South Reno, and some apparently have been raiding the dog food at the mall's pet store.

The gassing plans alarmed politicians when they first came up during a public hearing more than a year ago before the Reno Planning Commission.

"Dead?" asked Sherrie Doyle, now a city councilwoman, when informed of plans to eliminate the marmots.

"Quite dead," Krmpotic assured.

The gassing plan was rejected and the alternative roundup ensued. The Nevada Humane Society plans a second marmot hunt soon if they are found destroying property or causing other problems.

Nobody is sure how many marmots are in the area partly, because they are prolific procreators.

Susan Asher, executive director of the Humane Society, said her crews spotted only a handful of marmots during a survey this week.

Asher said the preferred device for capturing marmots is a box cage. The lure: peanut butter and broccoli.

"I guess the little guys are finding the landscaping very appealing, and of course the pet store is there," Asher said.

They are thriving because natural predators have been removed from the area by development, she said.

The problem could delay a city permit for a new Barnes & Noble scheduled to open soon because the developers were required to relocate the marmots as a condition of the building permit.

"That was the condition of approval. They had to remove the marmots," said Christine Fey, senior Reno planner. "I am not entirely sure how they will handle this."

Doyle, fearing the worst, wants the situation resolved as soon as possible.

"I told John (Krmpotic) 'you will not be gassing them,' " Doyle said. "I figure they thought if nobody was looking, gas the little buggers, right? Sneak in while they are asleep and drop the bomb on them."

Krmpotic said he is sensitive to the concerns of Doyle and Asher and believes the Humane Society has handled the matter well. He said the next move is up to Scott Deskins, president of SCC Development.

"I have since turned it over to Scott," Krmpotic said. "He's the marmot guy now."