Urgent: Stop the Proposed "Hazing, Harassment, and Harm" of Ithaca's Canada Geese.

Petition: Stop “3H”ing the Canada Geese at Cayuga Lake

3/16/2016

To: The Common Council of Ithaca. NY 108 E. Green St. City Hall Ithaca, NY 14850 Staff Name Title Email Phone Brock, Cynthia 1st Ward Alderperson Email 607-280-0661 Nguyen, Ducson 2nd Ward Alderperson Email (607) 699-1382 Fleming, Donna 3rd Ward Alderperson Email 607-319-0809 Kerslick, Graham 4th Ward Alderperson Email 607-273-4620 Martell, Josephine 5th Ward Alderperson Email 508-944-0144 Gearhart, Rob 3rd Ward Alderperson Email (607) 275-9943 McGonigal, George 1st Ward Alderperson Email 607-272-0639 Mohlenhoff, Deborah 5th Ward Alderperson, Acting Mayor Email 607-351-0047 Murtagh, Joseph "Seph" 2nd Ward Alderperson Email 585-703-2582 Myrick, Svante L. Mayor Email 607-274-6501 Smith, Stephen J. 4th Ward Alderperson Email 607-288-3299

We, the undersigned, understand that Ithaca city‘s Common Council has proposed a law which would “harass, haze, and harm” Canada Geese whose nesting grounds and rest areas are around Cayuga Lake to “encourage” them to go elsewhere. [Some residents had previously complained that the excrement of these birds had caused problems. However, locals who appreciate the majesty of these migrants don’t mind stepping around their offerings.] The plan would “discourage” the birds from nesting and using these established areas as rest stops for migration by banning the feeding of Canada Geese (a serious problem because birds eat quite a bit and natural food supplies have decreased over time due to loss of bird habitat through fishing, pollution, and human use of land for commercial and residential endeavors); the oiling of their eggs (which has been accepted as a legal means of discouragement, but which can interfere with mothers’ ability to connect and bond with their young, if they live at all. Oiling stops oxygen from reaching the embryos; usually resulting in the deaths of the young. The mothers generally don’t know their little ones are dead until the season for goslings is over); and harassment (which involves scaring the birds off of the land by various means. (These methods have not been specified, but given the need for birds in migration to get their rest, compromising their comfort on land would be tantamount to torture, especially if they are on a limited variety of food and have complications nesting because their eggs have been oiled.) The proponents of the plan would say that “hazing does not injure the geese,” but it might encourage others to be mean to the birds, possibly injuring them. Over time, it will certainly reduce their numbers. We may have enough Canada Geese right now to keep them off the endangered species list, but tactics such as this have assisted in getting other bird species on it in the past. We are already seeing what sterilization policies have been doing to the local deer population; a major concern for deer lovers in the area. Experts say that the geese have no shortage of food because they eat grass and there is plenty of it alongside the water of Cayuga Lake. However, there is less edible grass than one might think due to pesticide use and the fact that birds cannot eat where they poop. They also eat waste grain in harvested farm fields. In this region, we have many such fields to choose from. However, more and more farmers have lost their holdings over time and it is unclear what will happen to food stores in the future. The Canada Geese may not be in need of food in our region now, but if we continue to build, put pesticides in the grass, and sell-off our farmland for commercial interests as many farmers have had to do for financial reasons, the geese could be facing a food shortage in the future. Further, careful observation of the birds has indicated that they may not be getting as much good food as some are suggesting. Last year for example, pesticides were put in the invasive plant areas at the shore of Cayuga Lake to stop the spread of certain organisms, but with that came the warning that nothing could be eaten in that area safely until a good time had passed after treatment. Still, Seagulls and Canada Geese were in the water and eating alongside the poisoned areas, and we don’t yet know what the results of that were. Birders have said that Canada Geese often have bloated stomachs; a concern for many as bloating can be the result of poisoned food or lack of food. Some do not want the public to feed the birds as a result, but this issue can be solved by more humane means. Forbidding this generosity could prevent future generations from learning how to commune with these birds, resulting in further estrangement from the natural world. Given that distance from nature leads to apathy towards it, there is increased likelihood that those who have not had that privilege of feeding the geese would be mean to the birds/ afraid of them. Fear leads to more policies which harm nature; a problem for all of us because this planet is the only naturally habitable home we have in this solar system. The Canada Geese have used our area for years and people who are native to the area not only look forward to seeing them, but enjoy interacting with and feeding them. Stewart Park in particular is known for its vibrant bird population because it has a good mix of habitat for them, and the geese are a vital and dynamic part of that. If the geese leave, they will have to change their migratory pattern, which could cause them further hardship. It is important to keep in mind that the reason we have the privilege of seeing these birds in our area at all is due to our natural habitat. If this nature is not available along other migratory routes, it could be difficult for the birds to survive. Furthermore, allowing the city to ban the feeding of birds sets a dangerous precedence for bird lovers in this country. Will the police show-up every time someone accidentally drops a piece of their picnic on the ground? Will this law make it possible for other laws to take effect; banning the feeding of birds in peoples’ backyards? Will farmers face penalties for leaving corn in their fields because of this ban? Others have proposed creative solutions to the bird excrement issue including collecting it and processing it as nitrogen rich fertilizer for gardens or as fuel. Some residents have complained that the birds are aggressive, but the geese are mainly sensitive around their nests and goslings, both of which they need to protect for their own survival. They also don’t appreciate people who tease them; an issue which can be addressed through the education of the general public. Signs can be posted around major resting and nesting grounds to inform the public on the proper ways to interact with the geese, including how to properly feed them and what types of food are safe to give them. “Volunteers” can also give guided tours of these habitats; explaining much of what people need to know to treat the birds well when they are in contact with them. At Stewart Park, safe food for the geese can be offered for sale at the store, which could generate more income for the upkeep of the area. These ideas are far better than the “3 H”s because they minimize harm to the Canada Geese, increase the likelihood of a positive economic return, and protect future bird species from losing their homes, young ones, and food supplies. Therefore, we, the undersigned, strongly urge you {the city of Ithaca, the mayor’s office, and the Common Council} to stop plans to haze geese on Cayuga’s waters and surrounding areas, and to keep the feeding of all birds, legal. Thank you.