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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-165 CCRMember Kay lasman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2003-165 RESOLUTION ADOPTING LONG-TERM DEER POPULATION MANAGEMENT PLAN WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center is an urban community with very little appropriate habitat for deer; and WHEREAS, high deer populations continue to pose a risk to human safety due to auto-deer accidents, cause destruction of landscaping and yard plantings, and further disrupt the already altered ecosystem of the City; and WHEREAS, the density of deer in Brooklyn Center far exceeds the recommended norm of twenty deer per square mile of habitat area; and WHEREAS, natural habitat for deer in Brooklyn Center and in surrounding areas is being continuously reduced; and WHEREAS, the City Council's goal is to create an acceptable environmental balance that will facilitate the peaceful co-existence of citizens and wildlife; and WHEREAS, the City Council has solicited and received recommendations from a citizens task force established to assess current conditions and provided recommendations to the City regarding a Long-Term Deer Management Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center that it does hereby adopt the proposed Long-Term Deer Population Management Plan. October 27. 2003 Date ATTEST- City Clerk Mayor The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Kathleen Carmody and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Myrna Kragness, Kathleen Carmody, Kay lasman, Diane Niesen, and Bob Peppe; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2003-165. LONG-TERM DEER POPULATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 1. The City of Brooklyn Center will develop an educational program that will provide residents with information on deer habits and guidelines for limiting localized deer damage through the use of screening, alternative plantings, and other techniques. Educational materials will be distributed through a variety of methods including public informational meetings, pamphlets, City Web Site, newspaper articles, and City Newsletter. 2. In order to prevent irreparable damage to the ecosystems in Brooklyn Center and to prevent significant injury or damage to persons or property, the City Council hereby sets the maximum deer population density to twenty (20) per square mile per City-designated management district. Actual numbers are to be collected via aerial count. 3. It is understood the adoption of this plan is consistent with the Minnesota DNR URBAN DEER POPULATION CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES dated April 10,2002, (exhibit attached) governing the conduct of deer population removal outside the normal hunting season. 4. The City will utilize bow hunters to reduce the number of deer in each management district to the goal of 15-20 deer per square mile. By the end of five years, the initial reduction period, it is projected that the deer population will be to a level that requires maintenance rather than aggressive reduction. The City will strongly encourage use of non-lethal methods to address deer damage but recognizes that harvesting of deer will be necessary to maintain the population goal. 5. Each Spring the City Manager or City Manager's designee will review educational material, deer population numbers (current and projected) per an annual aerial survey, browse survey if appropriate, deer population management options, and recommend methods and deer harvest targets for the upcoming season. 6. The City Manager's recommendations must be approved by the City Council following public hearing prior to initiation of City management plans. Annual plans approved by the Council will be forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources. 'C ~