Bill No. 16-60 Addressing Integrated and Multifaceted Approaches to Canada Geese

Home Browse Search

RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, RECOMMENDING THAT INTEGRATED AND MULTIFACETED APPROACHES BE PUBLICLY DISCUSSED AND FURTHER DEVELOPED WHICH ADDRESS CANADA GEESE G," the South Bend Common Council notes that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently employs 214 conservation officers "who serve the public and protect the natural Hoosier heritage of the State of Indiana" who are trained in specialty areas in a variety of the enforcement and non - enforcement activities; and the DNR also employs Wildlife Biologists assigned to specific regions throughout the state who work as field biologists within the DNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife; and CAC,m� the Canada goose is part of a large wild goose species which is native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, experienced a declining population due to the use of chemicals and excessive hunting, whose population is now rebounded after captive birds were released throughout the country increasing their presence often in urban areas especially where there is mowed grass and increased use of retention ponds; and *A airports throughout the country have developed long -term strategies to reduce conditions that may attract geese to airports. For example, the Chicago Department of Aviation continues to practice habitat management plans designed to "manipulate the landscape to deter wildlife ". Midway and O'Hare Airports also focus on storm water drainage and wild -life resistant fences which are designed so that they do not attract nesting birds; and 6X6.,4 scientific studies have shown that "goose droppings do not pose any special health threats" according to the Humane Society of the United States, with the HSUS publishing Solving Problems with Canada Geese — A Management Plan and Information Guide available at: http: / /viww.humanesociely.org /assets /pdfs /wild neighbors / canada goose ug ide.pdf; and 6A)" HSUS has developed "Synergy" where "effective plans get synergy from combing two or three Key Components — curtailing reproduction, site aversion, and habitat modification" with "effective goose management programs typically following a seasonal timeline" which.also include complementary components: "Tolerance Zones; Public Education, and Stop Feeding ", with HSUS stressing that: "Conflicts between people and Canada geese will be resolved by individuals and communities that care about the birds, the environment, and the well -being of their communities..."; and CAC,m� the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website: http:// www .in.gov /dnr /fishwild/3000.htm# notes that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 authorized the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service oversight "to manage and regulate the harvest of migratory birds in the United States ". Additionally there are four international treaties in place with Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia which make it illegal "to harvest waterfowl or other migratory birds except during the hunting season or by permit "; and