City cries foul over geese
City of Powell River staff members are going to take a gander at Mowat Bay’s Canada goose problems.
At the special council meeting held Wednesday, July 23, Acting Mayor Debbie Dee said she wanted one of the councillors to entertain a motion to refer appropriate city staff to create a strategy that deals with the geese at Mowat Bay.
“We know there are resident geese and also the transient geese down there,” she said. “Geese have taken over so badly that you can’t even put a blanket down. You can’t use the facilities. We’ve got to do something about it.”
Councillor Maggie Hathaway introduced a motion to direct staff to investigate the possibilities of a solution to the mess left by the birds and to report back to council.
Ray Boogaards, the city’s new director of parks, recreation and culture, said he had been at Mowat Bay the previous day with the parks foreman looking at the situation. A number of BC municipalities have put in place control procedures for geese, he said.
Hathaway asked if it was possible to move the geese somewhere. Boogaards said that in some situations, people with dogs are hired to ensure that geese don’t land in certain areas. In other regions, destroying eggs is used as control for geese.
Marie Claxton, acting chief administrative officer, said city staff will investigate and proceed with a solution unless there is some need to receive approval from city council.
Councillor Russell Brewer said it is a sensitive issue but the city has received a number of emails expressing concern.
Council members voted to support the motion.
