HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecommending that Integrated and Multifaceted Approaches be Publicly Discussed which Address Canada GeeseRESOLUTION
No. 4582 -16
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
August 8, 20 16
Attest:
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
August 9, 20 16.
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me A V 20 (1p
City Clerk
0
Substitute Bill No. 16 -60
RESOLUTION NO. H 5 2) Z,- I 1p
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,A" 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
C*Lw4 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
6, 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
6� 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:
ht!p://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/wild neighbors / canada goose uide.pdf; and
6ffema4 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
G," 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
Canada Geese Resolution
Page 2
CN;w4 since 1999, a federal special Canada goose permit has been in place specifically for the purpose
of "management and control of resident Canada geese" with such permits being issued to State wildlife
management agencies; and
CX in September 2006, the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife was authorized to begin a process
whereby landowners and managers of public lands could register and seek permission for egg and nest destruction
activities, requiring the permit holder to file by October 31St a report with the state; and
C the DNR website further stresses that "reducing damage caused by Canada geese takes the
cooperation of the entire community ", and recommends a 4 -Step program focusing on:
Step 1: Commitment Step 3: Obtain Community Support
Step 2: Take Charge Step 4: Create a Plan of Action
Biologist have weighed in noting that "answers lie in a change in perspective and landscape – like by planting tall
native grasses ", which also help stabilize the banks of rivers and streams; and
Cllr, several Indiana cities have attempted to address Canada geese concerns: ate last month the City
of Mishawaka, hired a contractor certified by the DNR to "remove and kill geese from [their] golf course and
from Beutter, Merrifield and Crawford parks" resulting in more than 400 Canada geese being exterminated. This
year, the City of Lafayette filed for permits to relocated Canada geese. In 2015, the City of Muncie was to relocate
800 Canada geese; and Warsaw has been removing such geese for several years.
Section I. The South Bend Common Council believes that there should be public discussions with the City
Administration on Canada geese and how and if they are impacting our local area. In this way, integrated and
multifaceted approaches, if needed, can be discussed with the public, in determining what is in the best for our
City.
Section II. The Common Council notes that urban areas are encroaching the habitat of Canada geese, which
must and should be balanced with developing positive measures for wildlife and humans to live in harmony for
generations to come. , that if the Git-y
Administfafien has any r-eleeafien and/of extei:fninatiea pr-egfams under-way that they be plaeed on hold. The
proposed Ecological Advisory Committee which is to be approved by the Board of Park Commissioners shall
include integrated and multifaceted approaches, including the use of educational signage, in addressing this
concern.
Section I11. This Resolution shall be in full force anafter its adoption by the Common Council
and approval by the Mayor.
istrict Council Member
Common Council Vice - President
— 2016
Kare mah Fowler, eity Clerk Pete or
But ' 'eg, of South Bend, Indiana