|
|
| |
| Sun, Nov. 23, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Bella Vista officials gear to kill geese, handle backlash Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008 By Anna Fry Stephens Media BELLA VISTA - Residents of this Northwest Arkansas retirement community are agog over a gaggle of geese. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association says the Canada geese are fouling local lakes and golf courses. The group voted 6-2 last week to use a federal permit it previously obtained to kill vultures to also thin out the geese population, but members expect some backlash when the shooting starts. The geese are a problem because they leave feces wherever they congregate, said Darrell Bowman, the city lake ecology and fisheries manager. Director Jan Keirsey said the birds are on every lake, every pond and every golf course. "The geese are occupying the very same habitats that we want to recreate in," Bowman said. "In my yard alone, I've counted as many as 60 at a time," said Keirsey, who voted to use the permit. But the birds are federally protected, which is why permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to destroy them is necessary. The agency extended a permit allowing the association to kill vultures to also allow the killing of 100 geese from an estimated 1,000 birds in Bella Vista. But some directors acknowledged they've heard from residents upset with the idea of killing geese. "To me, it's just downright wrong," said resident Ernest Hodges, who contacted the association to voice opposition to its plan. "It's a slaughter. There's no need for it." The association obtained the permit for killing vultures because they were damaging boats. Bella Vista's seven lakes are all designated as "primary contact water," meaning swimming is allowed everywhere. The designation requires meeting state standards about the amount of fecal bacteria in the water. Routine testing shows the state standard is sometimes being violated because of the large amount of goose feces, Bowman said. If people ingest water with high levels of fecal bacteria, they risk being sickened by E. coli, he said. He told board members in February they either needed to control the geese population or tell residents they are swimming at their own risk. Bowman said he still needs to clarify details about how to use the permit. The association requested permission to use other methods to decrease the goose population, such as addling, but the permit only refers to shooting. Addling involves shaking goose eggs to kill offspring. The association planned to use a charity such as Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry and donate the killed geese for use as meat, General Manager Tommy Bailey previously said. But, the permit stipulates the association must turn over the geese to the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a public educational or scientific institution. Also, the group needs to work out the logistics and timing of the culling, Bowman said. Its golf division has tried other methods in the past to control the geese, including chasing them with dogs and discouraging residents feeding them. The city passed an ordinance in May prohibiting the feeding of any migratory waterfowl. The city has ordinances that prohibit firing guns and hunting within city limits. Mayor Frank Anderson said he thinks the city would grant the association a waiver because it followed a federal permitting process. Director Anita Werts, who voted against using the permit, said the board has not exhausted its options. "We as human beings, when things inconvenience or nuisance us, we tend to just eliminate it," she said, adding she hopes there's enough of an outcry that the board is forced to try another option. Many other communities have geese problems and some use a bullhorn noise to scare them off, she said. Director Bill Williams, who also voted against using the permit, said groups are preparing to protest. He wants to know how officials will address negative perceptions. "I'm telling you, the world out there is really fixing to turn things into an ugly state," Williams said. Director Stewart Smith said a loud, small minority is in opposition, but members of the association's communications committee agreed the public needs to be information of the reasons for killing the geese. |
