FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2010

Union County Authorizes U.S. Department of Agriculture to Manage Canada Geese

Union County, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders has authorized Union County to enter an agreement with the Wildlife Services Bureau of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to manage the population of Canada geese in county parklands and recreational facilities.

The measure was undertaken to protect County parklands for public use, including golf courses and other recreational facilities.  The program will also help protect habitats in nature conservation areas and waterways.

“A flock of Canada geese caused an airplane with 150 passengers to crash-land in the Hudson River just last year,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan.  “Clearly the goose population in our area is out of balance with both public safety and the environment.”

In small groups the impact of Canada geese is minimal.  When large numbers gather in parks, athletic fields and lawns, they destroy vegetation and foul habitats with droppings.  The effect is especially damaging to Union County’s numerous lakes, ponds, and waterways.  Agricultural properties can also be affected.

Excessive droppings in public parks can pose a serious public health threat, especially in areas where young children come in contact with the ground.

Experts from the USDA have developed a program called “Integrated Damage Management” that combines lethal means such as euthanasia and hunting with non-lethal approaches including harassment, nest disruption,
preventive landscape management, and educating the public to stop feeding wildlife.

“This is a comprehensive, long term approach that respects the need to create a balance between people and wildlife, especially protected species such as Canada geese,” said Sullivan.  Canada geese are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The overpopulation of geese in Union County is part of a broader problem.  The USDA estimates that a ten-year management program is needed to stabilize the number of Canada geese on the North American continent, which is estimated at 3.5 million.  Almost 200,000 geese reside in New Jersey in mid-winter when seasonal population peaks.

“Because the problem is continent-wide, no single answer can resolve it,” said Sullivan, who noted that some tactics like harassment can simply push geese from one area to another, and must be combined with other strategies to achieve a long term effect.

Geese and other birds have become a public safety issue for aircraft.  An estimated 10,000 bird strikes occurred in the United States last year.  A flock of Canada geese caused U.S. Airways flight 1549 to crash-land in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, with 150 passengers on board including one in a wheelchair.  All survived due to quick action by the crew and rescuers.

Part of the USDA management program includes educating the public to help prevent large numbers of geese from congregating.  Chief among these is to stop putting food out for the geese and other wildlife. 

“This problem was years in the making, and it will take time to bring the numbers down to a manageable level,” said Sullivan.  “We can achieve it by working together.”

The contract with the USDA calls for a year-round, three year management program totaling $347,000.  Previous programs were conducted on a seasonal basis lasting only three months.