REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Integrated Goose Management Plan (IGMP) for Central Park
Report
COUNCIL PILLARS
Enhance Community Sports, Recreational and Arts Assets; Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure; Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara Central Park includes the Central Park Lake, surrounded by planted areas and grass meadows that attract waterfowl. Over the past decade, the Canada Geese population has increased significantly, producing large amounts of fecal waste that exceed the daily grounds maintenance program's capacity to keep pathways, fields, meadows, and recreational amenities clean and sanitary for public use. Each Canada Goose produces a pound of feces per day, resulting in over 175 pounds of accumulating waste per day deposited into the lake and surrounds. In addition, the Central Park Canada Goose population has become non-migratory. The daily foraging, preening and nesting behaviors create added negative impacts year-round to the park.
The management activities of the Canada Geese and Mallards are regulated by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and subsequent revisions, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). While the City has used various approved methods to deter geese, including movable predator land decoys (coyote mannequins); floating water decoys (alligator mannequins), geese panic sounds, grass treatments, and physical barriers, additional steps are needed to address the community complaints and concerns, as well as to educate and inform policy and management practices that include the community's understanding and support.
To that end, the City has retained the services of avian biologist, Daniel Edelstein, who has specific Bay Area experience andhas developed an Integrated Goose Management Plan (IGMP) (Attachment 1). The IGMP provides research, information and effective strategies to protect wildlife and ...
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