Possible solution to your club's geese problem? (Government Watch).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing the creation of a new regulation to allow state wildlife management agencies to actively manage populations of resident Canada geese that cause personal and public property damage and, in some cases, pose a threat to public health and safety. Under the proposed alternative identified in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the service would grant states the authority to undertake approved population control strategies, such as nest and egg destruction, trapping and culling programs, and expanded hunting opportunities.

The draft EIS evaluates a range of alternatives in relation to their ability to reduce and stabilize resident Canada goose populations, reduce conflicts with humans, and minimize impacts to property and human health and safety. Aside from the proposed alternative, the EIS analyzes other alternatives, including continuing current management practices unchanged; implementing non-lethal methods such as harassment and habitat management designed to make areas less attractive to geese; expanding hunting opportunities; and creating various depredation orders allowing expanded lethal take of resident geese.

The service estimates that there are 3.5 million resident Canada geese in the United States. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and can only be legally taken during a hunting season unless a special federal permit is obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For a list of the schedule of public meetings taking place on this issue this year, or if you have any questions, contact Henry Wallmeyer, director, industry affairs, at [phone], e-mail: wallmeyh@ cmaa.org, or visit www.cmaa.org/legislat/reports/apr021r.htm.