Once again, some British Columbia communities are seeking federal and provincial help to keep the Canada Goose population under control by killing geese that are fouling beaches and parks.
Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention on Sept. 26-30 endorsed a resolution from Osoyoos, to address a problem that plagues many B.C. communities.
Thompson Nicola Regional District director Tim Pennell told the convention that beaches around area lakes are being "destroyed" by geese, and their droppings are triggering beach contamination warnings that affect tourism and local residents' recreation.
The Osoyoos resolution notes that addling goose eggs has had limited effect and hunting regulations prevent culling in recreation areas. It asks for the Canadian Wildlife Service to issue more kill permits. Failing that, they want the province to issue permits.
In 2011, the UBCM asked senior governments for help controlling geese in parks, and the B.C. government said kill permits are federal jurisdiction.
Kelowna Mayor Walter Gray noted B.C. is considering changes to testing procedures for recreational waters, based on Health Canada guidelines that recommend beach water advisories based on a single sample of 400 E.coli per 100 ml.
Upon his return from the UBCM, District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall says the communities pushing for the goose-kill permits are having a terrible problem with the geese, especially on their beaches.
“Their beaches are closed because of the contamination. Their water samples are coming back with major contamination results, and some of them are resort communities and they’re losing their business.”
Noting these communities believe there is an over-abundance of geese, Campsall says government is going to monitor the issue.
However, he doesn’t think 100 Mile House has a goose problem.
“I think people just over-exaggerate it.”
In fact, the mayor isn’t against 100 Mile House having “caution goose crossing” signs on Highway 97.
“We have badger-crossing signs, so I wouldn’t have a problem with goose-crossing signs.
“We have to do something [geese overpopulation], but I don’t know what we could do. It’s almost like they are an attraction to our community.
“How many communities have geese crossing the highway and cars and trucks stopping for them? I’m a trucker and I haven’t heard any truckers complaining about the geese.”
Meanwhile, Campsall says he doesn’t have a problem with some communities that have geese problems getting permits because it’s a health problem and it’s killing their tourism industry.
As for 100 Mile House, the mayor says he has seen a lot of people stopping to take photos of the geese stopping traffic as they escort their goslings across the highway.
“You can put all the fences in the world up you want, but you’re not going to stop them. The only way you’re going to stop them is to kill them, and I’m definitely not keen on that."
With files from Tom Fletcher