The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutItem 06.gMay 2, 2014 @ Item No. AUTHORIZE CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT INC. TO PROCEED WITH CANADA GOOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN AT ANTLERS PARK Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to authorize staff to proceed with Canada Goose Management Inc. for the capture and removal of geese at Antlers Park. Overview At the April 28, 2014 City Council work session the Council directed staff to inform the Lake Marion Home Owners Association of plans to manage the Canada Goose population on the lake. The Association has responded positively to the City's proposed plan to work with Canada Goose Management Inc. on the removal of geese from Antlers Park. Primary Issues to Consider • Water quality of Lake Marion Supporting Information • Canada Goose Management Letter dated March 15, 2014 Brett Altergott Parks & Recreatio ' ctor Financial Impact: $2,000 Budgeted: Y Source: Parks General Fund & Environmental Resources Fund Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): Notes: Canada Cioose March 15, 2014 Management Inc John Hennen Park Maintenance and Operations Manager City of Lakeville, 7570 179' Street Lakeville, MN 55044 Dear Jdhn: x Canada Goose Management-ln —, (CPM) offers the following services for your consideration. Canada goose removal at Antler'P.ark. and Marion Lake for a trapping cost of $1500 per site and, -,a processing fee of $16 adult and $8 per•gosling, captured and removed,. with total cost- not to exceed $2000/year. 'T -he trapping cost covers the deployment of the trapping crew, survey, capture and remgval ofgdese from the site. The processing fee is to cover costs for processing the adults and goslings for donation This pricing is good for 2014..: Removal can only.be conducted from mid-Juije,to}rnid=-July, 'To ensure-yourk" needs are addressed, we' propose to remove geese found in Antlerft- and the adjacent Marion Lake. We willtry to conduct all trapping on park property, but if needed, we will utilize private land (homeowner) property with permssion4from land owner. Therefore, please adviseme of your removal needsArid I will get you scheduled as soon as possible, R°y` Sincerely, 7-'om;eefe, Canada Goose Management Inc 7808 Isleton Ave S Cottage Grove, MN 55016 7808 Isleton Avenue 5. • 1; ottagc Grove, MN 1501 6 • Phone, 612-812-022+ • rax 65 1 +18-5136 0 w%vw-goosecrew.com Canada Goose= Management In the Twin. Cities anda geese populations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area pose a significant challenge. These challenges were identified in the early 1980's with the assistance and research of Dr. James Cooper at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cooper is a renowned wildlife biologist and professor specializing in Canada geese. The MN Dept of Natural Resources in cooperation with Dr. Cooper and the City of Minneapolis Parks conducted the first Twin Cities Canada goose removal effort in 1982 on bake of the Isles, when over 400 adult and young geese (called goslings) were captured and relocated to Oklahoma. In 1954, no wild Canada geese nested in MN, but efforts by private individuals and natural resource agencies in the 1960-70s restored the Canada goose throughout MN, including in the Twin Cities metro area. Canada geese are a magnificent bird and highly prized by hunters and non hunters alike. HOWEVER, too much of a good thing can become a problem. The Twin Cities geography with large numbers of wetlands combined with an urbanization that favors lush green open grass areas resulted in creation of high quality Canada goose nesting and brood rearing habitat. In addition, low natural predation, limited hunting and abundant food resources (that lush green grass) created a "perfect storm" for high reproduction and survival. The problems or complaints began in the 1980's when Canada goose population exceeded the local social carrying capacity resulting in efforts to control local goose populations. Capture and relocation of urban goose populations was an effective way of reducing local urban goose populations and aiding in restoration efforts in other areas. The removal program grew from over 400 in 1982 to 6000-8000 geese being removed annually in the 1990's. In 1996, relocation of adults was no longer possible, so a program began to process the adults and provide them to local food shelves. This change improved the control program and provided a socially acceptable means of utilizing adult geese. In 2006, goslings were no longer able to be relocated and another program that utilizes the goslings for animal food began. To date around 100,000 geese have been removed from the Twin Cities. The removal program along with liberal hunting regulations has provided significant control on Canada goose populations in the Twin Cities. The current summer population of Canada geese in the metro area is estimated at between 16,000-19,000 geese. This population level has been maintained over the past 20 years. It is estimated that without Canada goose removal and liberal hunting regulations the local population within the Twin Cities would exceed 300,000 with a carrying capacity estimated at 500,000 geese. ..� F- . �°.••::. ter...,. A: w/out control •� A B: whontrol CL C2 — TOW *Population data from Dr Jame Cooper. UM Support from the DNR and UM for this program declined in the early 2000's. To meet on going needs for control, Dr. Cooper continued this effort with a private company "The Canada Goose Program". Dr. Cooper retired seven years ago, and CGM was formed to continue these services by Dr. Cooper's former employees. CGM provides Canada goose management services including: • summer removal of geese • spring nest and egg destruction • spring goose removal (limited shooting), population surveys • goose banding • consultant services Local governmental units and private landowners are encouraged to develop a goose management plan to address ongoing Canada goose issues. The cities of Burnsville and Eden Prairie had developed goose management plans and have been very successful in dealing with Canada geese issues. The advantages of a Canada goose management plan is that it provides the city with tools to make informed decisions on what local management needs are and what solutions can be employed to address these needs. A good management plan can address Canada goose management in a more comprehensive and effective manner. This results in increased efficiency for city staff, cost effective management activities, and local citizen involvement and acceptance. Plan development should include: • identification of Canada goose habitat, • existing or potential damage or problem sites, • evaluation or determination of the degree of goose usage and/or damage, • identify potential management techniques that can be employed to address the current problems, • methods to prevent future development of damage sites, • identify funding sources or criteria for funding management efforts, Geese utilize a wide area therefore its helpful to approach this management on a larger geographic scale. Therefore, management plans for a city are more efficient than for an individual site. Canada goose management techniques generally include; • Physical displacement of the geese by applying goose repellents, fencing geese in or out of an area, harassment of geese with dogs, or people. • Landscaping to reduce attractiveness of an area to geese, buffer strips, prairie seeding, and brushy cover. • Population reduction through egg or nest destruction, summer removal, and hunting. A publication that you might find interesting is entitled "Managing Canada Geese in Urban Environments, A Technical Guide" This publication is available from Cornell University at, hft://ecomm ms.library.cornell.edu/handle/1 813/56 or contact me for a copy. The MN DNR web site (search for Canada goose management) has a number of publications and information on urban goose management. If you have further questions feel free to contact me... and thank you for the opportunity to visit with you on Canada goose management. Tom Keefe, Canada Goose Management Inc 7808 Isleton Ave 8 Cottage Grove, MN 55016 612812.0224 tomkcanadaAoosel aol.com