Staff Report – Canada Geese Management – Glen Lake (with attachments)

Background

Over the years, several Glen Lake residents have asked the City to look into controlling the Canada Geese population on Glen Lake. These geese are resident geese, not migratory, in that they stay all year round. They like to nest in April and May, and enjoy feeding along the shorelines and on lakefront properties on various grasses through the spring/summer months with their new families.

City staff researched geese control methods and available products from 2013-2015. An information report was submitted to the Parks and Recreation Committee in October 2013. (See attached) Since that time, the City has tried to restrict the geese population in our two lakefront beach parks at Glen Lake and Langford Lake by installing an orange retractable mesh fence, which is opened and closed daily during nesting/feeding season. This control method has been highly successful over the past few years in keeping geese off the popular swimming beaches; however the geese still swim off shore at Glen Lake and defecate in the weed area. Each year when the weed machine works the lake, the beach is closed because of the high fecal coliform count.

Commentary

Recently, residents of Glen Lake, have provided staff with information on a new goose control product called “Away with Geese”.

“Away with Geese” is a floating buoy with a solar powered LED light that is disruptive to the waterfowl’s sleep, distressing the geese so they go elsewhere. It does not involve the use of any chemicals, reflectors, noise making devices, or dogs. This is a Canadian-owned product that has been on the market since 2012. The company offers a 90-day trial and encourages the trial to be complete after geese complete their molting mid-July.

Staff spoke with a BC resort owner/operator in Quesnel and the City of Ottawa, both of which have experienced success with this device keeping geese away from their water bodies. They explained that the device is vandal proof and has very low battery usage - no changes in 3 years. Residents who live near the device claim the light is not bright or disruptive. It is as bright as a cigarette being lit 100 metres away.

Glen Lake is owned by the Province of B.C. and Transport Canada governs the installation of permanent structures in the water under their Navigable Waters Protection Act; however Transport Canada when asked specifically about “Away With Geese”, did not require formal approval for this floating buoy as the LED light is considered a beacon, and has very low wattage, so would not obstruct boating or other water recreation activities.

These floating buoys may attract attention initially, but from all reports occurrence of vandalism is very low. Residents could be notified by a mail out that this program is a trial and there would be local buy in on the product. There will be some costs to hire a contractor to install the buoys, as the City does not own a boat.

Staff would like direction on whether to purchase several devices for a 90 day trial to control geese on Glen Lake, with “Away With Geese”. If the trial is approved, staff will continue to put up and take down the temporary fence at the Glen Lake public beach until results of the trial are in.

Financial Implications

One unit costs $459.00. The distributor recommends 11 units on Glen Lake be installed. The distributor has provided a 15% discount bringing the total costs to: $4506.23 including GST. Shipping would be an additional cost. (See attachment) Funding is available in the “Control of Invasive Species” budget.

Legal Implications

Compliance with Federal and Provincial Water Acts.

Options

That Mayor and Council,

1. Approve purchasing “Away With Geese” for 90 day trial on Glen Lake.

Or

2. Do not approve purchasing “Away With Geese” for a 90 day trial at this time.

Or

3. Provide Other alternative recommendation:

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Respectfully submitted,

Submitted by:
Jane Waters, Park Planner

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning
Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement
Concurrence:
Mike Leskiw, Parks and Recreation Manager
Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering
Concurrence:
Steve Ternent, Director of Finance
Concurrence:
Jim Bowden, Chief Administrative Officer

JW/sl

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Attachment: Canada Geese Management in Parks — FOR INFORMATION ONLY

Parks & Recreation Committee
Date: October 28, 2013

Background

In 2012 and 2013, four new beaches/lake accesses were built by the Parks and Recreation Department. As a result of this new development, there has been an increase in Canada Geese populations spending time in our parks as they had new frontier to explore and bring their young. Unfortunately, this has led to more goose feces on the public beaches.

Commentary

Parks staff did some research to see what other jurisdictions were doing about this problem. The Vancouver Airport Authority hired a consultant to study geese, as they are causing billions of dollars to aircraft every year. Their findings were that a few seconds of distress noise combined with water aimed at the birds was effective on the test site. However, the airport is continuing to use people and Border Collies to scare the geese off the property.

PClI-110 bird repellant - "Rejex-It Migrate" was purchased as it proves useful in deterring geese when sprayed on land in parks, on turf, and golf courses. VCMMC sprayed the repellant at a mailbox area in Kettle Creek that was over populated with geese; this proved to be a successful application.

Unfortunately, this product cannot be applied near or on any waterway, so it was not useful for the swimming docks and aerators in Langford's Lakes. The instruction manual says "do not apply to residential lawns, or recreational areas of parks."

Fencing — Parks staff erected orange mesh snow fencing at both Glen Lake Beach and Langford Lake beach. People were hired to put the fencing up and take it down morning and night each day through the summer months while the beaches were used by residents.

Green Laser — This was researched and found to be a potentially viable method. However, it can be extremely dangerous to people and wildlife if not administered correctly. There are a lot of criteria to follow in using a laser on Canada Geese which are protected under Canada's Migratory Bird Act. The product is called "Aeries Laser" and can be purchased from a Canadian supplier in Toronto.

Dogs — Using dogs as a method to deter geese was not pursued as the city does not have staff available to do this on a twice daily schedule in our parks. The CRD uses this method at Elk Lake.

Inflatable Coyotes — These are successful at some golf courses in the Comox Valley. However, there is a high probability these devices would be stolen or vandalized if used in public parks.

Flashing Light — The "Away with Geese" flashing light has been used successfully in the USA and Canada. It is mounted on the shoreline and flashes at night, disorienting the geese so they go elsewhere. It involves the use of solar-powered LED lights; therefore, there are no on-going costs for batteries. However, there is a high probability this device would be stolen or vandalized if used in public parks.

Financial Implications

Legal Implications

The misuse of the Green Laser would fall under the parameters of the Criminal Code of Canada; therefore, appropriate training and oversight should be established before ascribing this method. There are no other legal implications indicated with the other methods. (There may be environmental restrictions by government agencies on our lakes.)

Options

This report is for information only. The Parks and Recreation Department plans to continue to use the snow fencing method as it has been successful and economical to date.

Respectfully submitted,
Mike Leskiw
Parks Manager

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Attachment: Canada Geese Management Options — City of Langford (August 6, 2013)

Contact Suggestions / Products

Notes:
There are no topical applications that will help on boardwalks or beaches according to what is legal in Canada. If there was, I would presume that this would be in circulation - seems most communities are looking at volunteers, pro-active and humane management. Environment Canada guidelines are to be adhered to as Canada Geese are covered under the Migratory Birds Protection Act.

Municipalities with Geese Programs:
Abbotsford — Volunteer Program
Parksville — Volunteer Program
Richmond — Snow Geese Volunteer Program (hazing with dogs)

Marry Stearns suggestion: Goose Repellant Methyl Anthranilate Used at St. Joseph's Elementary
http://www.canadageese.org/report2a.html

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Attachment: Summary of Tel. Conversation with scientist Hans Dysarsz, CEO Ranger Innovations

August 7, 2013

He worked with Stella Olmstead, PhD and professor at Queens University on geese control solutions. They conducted a test trial on Bird Suppression Technology - $300,000 study for Vancouver Airport Authority, funded by Transport Canada.

Canada Geese cause over 6 billion dollars damage to aircraft every year! (More than acts of terrorism).

The test trial took place at the Vancouver Land Fill where 60,000 birds visit every day. Mainly Canada Geese, but also Crows and Bald Eagles.

The solution proposed is introducing a unique sound or tone for one second only, accompanied by a water pump aimed at the geese. All can be mounted in a truck and put on a timer, and monitored occasionally. The geese consider it a mortal threat and they flee.

This is an environmentally friendly remedy that is relatively inexpensive.

It requires a hazing permit from Canadian Wildlife Service. Not hard to get.

The geese hate this method and it becomes a learned behaviour, so they soon disappear.

This suppression method was patented in the USA, but was not adopted by the Airport Authority. They are back to border collies and paid staff.

Hans suggests Langford could install a water cannon in the playgrounds at the beach and let kids fire away at the geese. (the sound could be in speakers in the trees). It does not harm the geese, it just makes them go away.

Hans also believes that with climate change the temperatures are warming up, therefore there is more available food for birds locally, which in turn makes them breed more, so there is a population explosion of Canada Geese in urban centres where food is plentiful.

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Attachment: Quote for “Away With Geese” (Smoky Trout Farm Limited)

Quote #: QUO16
Date: 12-04-2016

Prepared for:
City of Langford
Jane Waters

Shipping Address:
2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue
Langford, BC V9B2X8
Canada

Billing Address:
2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue
Langford, BC
Canada

Related Property: 29744742

Comments:
Additional 5% discount included in Quote for a total of 15% discount.

Subtotal: $4,291.65
GST: $214.58
Grand Total: $4,506.23

TERMS
Quoted prices are valid for thirty (30) days from the date on the quote.

Standard Volume Discounts are based on the number of units purchased:
0-5 Units - No Discount
6-10 Units - 5% Discount
11-20 Units - 10% Discount
21-30 Units - 15% Discount
31-40 Units - 20% Discount
41+ Units - 25% Discount

Smoky Trout Farm Limited
RR 1 Site 3 Box 26, Red Deer, AB T4N5E1 Canada
t: (403) 342-5206 f: (403) 342-2646 info@smokytroutfarm.com smokytroutfarm.com
GST Number: 81120 6317 RT0001 Commercial Fish Culture Licence: 42172014 CA