CR 95-85 Autorization Geese Relocation From Shady Oak Pond
May 8, 1995 ~ Council Report 95-085
.
AUTHORIZE GEESE RELOCATION
FROM SHADY OAK POND
Proposed Action
Staff recommends that the Council approve the fol1owing motion: Move that the Hopkins City Council
authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the University of Minnesota. Department of
Fisheries and Wildlife to capture and relocate geese from Shady Oak Pond.
Approval of this action will begin a pilot project to help determine the effectiveness of this type of program in
controlling geese.
Overview
At the April 18 City Council meeting, the Council authorized staff to enter into discussions with the
University of Minnesota's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife concerning initiating efforts to control the
number of geese at Shady Oak Pond. Staff has spoken to Dr. Cooper, of the University of Minnesota's
. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and requested that he appear before the City Council to explain his
approach to control1ing geese populations, Dr. Cooper agreed to appear before the Council at the May 16
meeting.
Primary Issues to Consider
. How does the program work?
Attached is a letter from Jon Parker, of the Department of Natural Resources, which outlines the
approach that Dr. Cooper uses. Dr, Cooper will also explain the process and describe the likely
outcomes.
. How much would this program cost and how would the City fund a geese control effort?
The letter from Mr. Parker quotes a costs of $700 to $1,000 per year with a recommended four year
program. Dr. Cooper will be available to more fully explain the costs. There are no funds budgeted
for such an activity. Should the City decide to fund this program in 1995, the money would have to
corne from the contingency fund.
SlIfJPortine: Information
. Letter from Jon Parker, of the DNR
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
. PHONE NO. FILE NO
1200 Warner Road
St. Paul, MN 55106
April 3, 1995
Jim Genelli
City of Hopkins
1010 1st Street South
Hopkins MN 55343
RE: Canada Goose Nuisance Control Program
Under DNR policy, a local governmental body must determine a
need for Canada goose control within its jurisdiction and provide
for funding of control measures, if necessary. There are two
choices currently possible for goose population control. One is to
open specific areas to a special goose hunting season. The other
is to contract with the University of Minnesota for goose trapping
and removal.
4It For a special hunting season, DNR could implement regulations
(if necessary) to allow a specific area to be included in the early
season: September 2 - September 11, 1995. Although our
regulations generally prohibit hunting within 100 yards of water
dur ing this per iod, we wi 11 cons ide r opening speci fic lakes or
wetlands at the request of the manag ing agency. If hunting is
feasible, it should be considered as the first option. (Please
review the attached hunting policy). Sites with the potential for
hunting will be assigned a very low priority for trapping.
If you wish to investigate the possibility of goose trapping
and trans locating starting June 1995 or later, you should contact
Dr. James Cooper, University of Minnesota, Department of Fisheries
and Wildlife, 200 Hoason Hall, 1980 Folwell Avenue, st. Paul,
Minnesota 55108, phone: 612-624-1223. It is also possible that
the program lS unable to accommodate more trapping sites at this
time or funding may not be available. The steps required in this
process are as follows:
1. Determine proposed target goose population reduction
levels via discussions with city residents, feedback from
press coverage, etc. (C i ty) .
2. Hold a public hearing to explain program and obtain
additional input on acceptable population levels and
. reduction procedures (City, University, Department of
Natural Resources, V.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, u.s.
Department of Agriculture) .
AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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3. Ascertain goose population size and distribution
(University) .
4 . Obtain state and federal permits (University) .
5 . Capture and ship birds (University with cooperation of DNR
and U.S. Department of Agriculture) .
6. Monitor populations to determine additional removal
(Uni ver si ty) .
7 . Conduct additional removal as needed under contract.
The services provided by the University include design of the
removal program, public hearing participation, answering technical
questions on goose ecology and management, humane and professional
removal of problem geese, coordination of permits and bird disposal
via the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and evaluation
of the effectiveness of the program.
The cost will range from $700 to $1000 per concentration site
e per year. These funds cover salaries for a crew of 6 University
students, transportation, and equipment maintenance costs. Funding
by affected landowners may be required by the city.
Capture and removal is done during the flightless period,
extending from the second week of June to the first week of July.
Because they have only three weeks to do removal, crews and
equipment needs must be planned in advance, therefore, steps 1 and
2 should be completed by April 1 . Based on previous research, we
recommend a 4-year adult and young removal program to reduce the
flock, followed by removals at 3-year intervals to maintain low
numbers.
Enclosed is some additional information on Canada goose
problem management. In addition to the measures suggested, snow
fencing or temporary electric fencing may exclude geese during the
breeding season.
Slincerej-y,
!rj.(l!~L
// Jon Parker
Area wildlife Manager
612-772-7981
e cc: Jim Cooper, University of MN