An ordinance to ban feeding the ducks and geese in Rapid City’s parks will get its first airing Monday night.
The ordinance comes at the recommendation of the Urban Wildlife Committee, a group of wildlife experts and local interested volunteers named to figure out possible solutions to the increasing waterfowl populations on Canyon Lake, Meadowbrook Golf Course and Storybook Island. A ban on feeding the ducks and geese is the first step in other management actions, such as population control measures.
The difference in this version and unsuccessful attempts to take action in the past is that the fine for feeding the birds is lowered to $5 per violation. The council has been deadlocked 5-5 on the issue. Recent revelations on the cost of cleaning up after the birds and the change in the fine may be enough to tip the scales. The ordinance and a presentation on the issue are included as articles.
Read more about the issue in the Rapid City Journal online.
Friends of Rapid City Parks supports the feeding ban, and is calling on its members to let the council members know.
The Waterfowl Management Plan urges actions in addition to the feeding ban, including interpretive signs, public education and visits to schools are included in the Waterfowl Management Plan. If the feeding ban is adopted, other actions to stabilize the population and deter waterfowl from nesting sites can be taken.