04-09-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AR-6iSa Hark Bernhardson. City Administrator City of Orono P. 0. Box 66 Crystal Bay. MN 55323 Dear Mr. Bernhardson; In response to our recent telephone conversation regarding the Canada Goose problem In the Pheasant Lawn area, we would like to request that the City of Orono begin a program to limit the Canada Goose population in our neighborhood. The Canada Goose population is increasing in the entire Twin Cities area at a rate which is causing great concern. For those of use who live on Lake Minnetonka, the Goose population has Otjcomu uninanagoble. I have lived at 2800 Pheasant Road since 1967 When 1 moved to my home, there were no geese in the area. The geese started settling in the mid 70‘s. Each year sees a larger and loi'ger flock as they return, nest, and raise their young. Last summer, there were three to four new broods for each adult pair. The summer population is probably around 50 geese, and, during the fail migration, over 200 geese were on my 'awn. This proliferation of geese causes many problems. It is impossible to use lawns for recreation without hours of clean-up My beach area was completely unusable. Many families in the area have very young children, and the growing goose population poses a particular health and safety factor for them i have tried to discourage the geese by stringing lines and flag-: all around my shoreline, but this has not proven to be effective I was advised by the f i.rnesota Department of Natural Resources to harass the geese with noise, chasing, etc. Again, there hav no long-term effects Last year, I spoke to Rick Denneson, the Orono Cornu, ..nity Service Officer, and had him come to my home to personally see the effects of the growing goose flock. Mr. Denneson, after walking through my yard, agreed that the geese had made my lawn impossible to use. Goose droppings were so heavy that he had trouble finding a spot to step. Mr Denneson then contacted state and local agencies regarding the problem and how we could deal with it. No information or action was Initiated last year. However, this past winter, Kevin Walsh. Orono s present Community Service Officer, informed me that he was still working on problem. Recently. Mr. Walsh forwarded a letter to me from James Cooper of the University of Minnesota outlining a Canada Goose control program. A copy of Professor Cooper s letter is enclosed. The residents of the Pheasant Lawn area are in favor of using this plan to limit the goose popu lation in our neighborhood. We realize that there is a financial commitment. We would hope that the City of Orono will work with us to implement this program and will participate with funding assistance. Many communities in the Twin Cities metro area are already doing so Professor Cooper has provided Pheasant Lawn with a spot on his schedule for this year, if all preliminary steps (see accompanying letter) can be concluded by May 1 , 1989. we can have the first stage of removal this summer. Thank you for your help. Please feel free to call on me if I can be of any assistance. Yours truly. ^ Carol Burgess 2800 Pheasant Road Excelsior. MN 55331 612-971-9357 c/