HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 6, 2014 I-02AGENDA ITEMT.L
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AGENDA TITLE:
MEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
Receive Report on Resident Canada Geese at Lodi Lake Park
August 6,2014
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION Receive report on resident Canada geese at Lodi Lake Park.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: More than 125 Canada geese live year-round in Lodi Lake Park and
the vicinity, fouling the park with their droppings. This creates an unsightly mess at times, predominantly
in the beach area and south parking lot.
The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department spends a significant number of staff hours each
year cleaning the beach of droppings, removing hundreds of pounds at a time. The geese's presence
creates an adverse economic impact on the City due to the labor costs associated with cleanup, as well
as the lost revenue from beach visitors who don't return due to the damage by geese.
Many parks departments and districts, golf courses and other landowners are similarly affected by
Canada geese. Although the birds are federally protected through an international treaty, there are ways
to harass the geese from Lodi Lake Park that do not require permits from State or federal agencies.
PRCS is pursuing several of these options. They include:
1) Hiring a dog-herding service to harass the geese. Staff has been in contact with three different
dog services regarding their availability and cost. Having the dogs at the park on a daily basis
for approximately two weeks is needed before the geese choose another location.
2) Creating barriers to high-value areas. Snow fencing along the beach is effective when the
geese are molting, typically a six- to eight-week period in June and July.
3) Using lasers to simulate a predator's presence. Staff has experimented with this method and
found it effective. The downside is it only works before sunrise and after sunset, which limits
the time of year this can be used without incurring higher staff costs.
4) Developing a volunteer program of dog walkers to frighten geese from the park. Several other
communities have used this approach to keep a steady presence of perceived predators in the
park. Volunteers would receive training from the department, have their dogs wear an
identifying vest or collar, and have additional access to the beach area.
5) Other methods, which may include sounds and visual deterrents
APPROVED:
City Manager
The Department is in the process of filling the vacant Parks Program Coordinator position. The
application period closed July 31. As indicated to the Council in February in receiving support for this
position, one of the duties includes wildlife management. This employee will be responsible for
coordinating various measures to encourage the geese to (in order of priority) leave the beach area,
leave the south shore area, and the turf areas along the Mokelumne River.
Staff last year contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture representative with jurisdiction over
additional geese control efforts. One effort with the potential of reducing the geese population in the long-
term is egg oiling ("addling") that prevents eggs from hatching. This permit can be obtained by registering
online after receive property owner permission. Staff suspects most Canada geese nests in the area are
not within park property, so identifying the locations may be challenging.
Controlling the geese population and reducing their negative impact on the park will take a coordinated
effort by staff, neighboring property owners and the public.
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
Jeff
on Cultural Services Director
JH:tl
Pa
Lodi City CouncilAugust 6, 2014
Resident Canada geese
A day at the beach
Mess geese leave
Canada geese factsProtected by:Migratory Bird Treaty ActFederal regulationsState lawsState laws3.8 million resident Canada geese in U.S.Lay eggs late-February/March1 a day, up to 12 (5 average)28-day incubationPredation permits issued by USDA
What can we do?No single solutionConstant effortNeed public’s helpNo feedingNo feedingVolunteersMost deterrents don’t need permits
Snow fencing
Herding dog
Predator decoys
Laser treatment
Volunteer patrol
Egg oiling
No-feeding ordinance
Motorized harassment
Sound repellents
Grass treatment
Strobe light
Lethal measures