– Increase in Okanagan Valley goose population causing health concerns –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — Feb. 14, 2007) –

By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times

At its February 5 meeting, Council voted to have Osoyoos participate in a Regional Goose Management Program and to contribute up to $10,000 towards the hiring of a co-ordinator “ EBB Environment Consulting Inc., out of Delta “ to manage the project.
In his report to Council, Director of Operational Services Ron Doucette notes the significant increase in the goose population is causing serious health concerns in the Okanagan valley with respect to lake quality and parks.
Other municipalities participating with Osoyoos in the plan include Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Summerland and Peachland. The strategy involves goose control methods such as egg addling, monitoring and mapping nest sites, and public education.
At the meeting Mayor John Slater said, It's a real problem and we've got to deal with it, acknowledging recent complaints from citizens concerned about hunters shooting geese near a residential area in east Osoyoos.
However, he did not indicate whether hunting of geese will continue to be allowed.
He added he didn't understand why the three Regional Districts and the Town of Oliver were not involved and said they should be encouraged to participate.
Councillor Stu Wells called the regional approach very important, citing concerns that if goose control is left undone, it could lead Interior Health to close the beaches for swimming.
It's a real health issue. The health people say if we don't do something about it, we'll have an outbreak of illness. You can't walk down the public beach without walking on a solid sheet of goose droppings, added Councillor Dick Flintoft.
Councillor Allan Carswell also supported the Town's contribution to the Goose Management Program, but questioned why the contribution requested from Osoyoos was so much if the municipal contributions are based on population.
An Okanagan Regional Goose Management Committee to investigate the area's goose numbers and how to best manage the population was established a decade ago, and last year consultants Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. of Langley and Ophiuchus Consulting of Oliver prepared a 55-page report detailing a strategy and action plan.