For the past two years HLSIO relocated Canada Geese from Higgins Lake, but regrettably will be unable to continue the program in 2020. The relocation of Canada Geese is a US Department of Agriculture program that is managed and permitted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, DNR. Our application to continue the program in 2020 was rejected by the DNR in May. The rejection was appealed but again rejected in early June. The appeal was based on the potential for geese to cause swimmers itch and concern for shoreline pollution from goose waste. In the following rejection to our appeal, the DNR cites COVID-19 restrictions and State of Michigan spending limitations as the reasons for the rejection. We hope to be able to continue the relocation program in 2021
“Thank you for your email and providing some background information. Unfortunately, we will not be able to issue a permit this year for Higgins Lake as it does not meet the very limited criteria. Let me provide some additional background.
Our programmatic changes are in response to the economic impact to state revenue collections as a result of necessary restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the Governor-issued Executive Directive 2020-03 on March 30, 2020, Restrictions on Discretionary Spending During COVID-19 Emergency, which places limits on all state spending. Only a portion of the Canada Goose Round-up Program has been identified as meeting exemption 3. c. “Activities critical to protecting the health, safety, or welfare or Michigan residents, including residents of a state institution or facility”. Based on that exemption, Canada goose round-up may continue this year only to address instances where Canada geese need to be removed from a site for human health and safety risks – we have no approval to remove geese on sites for nuisance or aesthetic reasons. The Michigan DNR hires a contractor to handle the goose removal permitting program. We pay the contractor for time spent on permitting, coordination with goose round-up contractors, release site oversight and follow-up reporting paperwork. Due to budgetary situations, it was necessary to reduce the contractual agreement with the vendor. In order to stay within the contractual agreement, fewer hours must be spent on oversight by the vendor, and therefore fewer permitted sites are being approved for round-up permits. The sites that will be permitted include sites where geese interfere with the safety of business practices like automobile proving grounds. Other improved sites include places where large numbers of the general public who already have health concerns are likely to come into contact with concentrated goose droppings and thus posing a health risk to a large number of people at one site – like at hospitals and nursing homes.
The State of Michigan has been fortunate in the past to fund the oversight of the goose round up program at levels that have allowed for removal of geese on private properties like your lake. It simply is not possible to fund the program at this level this summer. It is unclear what our funding situation will be in future years. I understand this does not help you with your individual situation and in no way am I discrediting the inconvenience of your situation at Higgins Lake. However, goose round-up activities are only being conducted at sites that meet the high criteria risk level and your situation does not meet those high criteria of risk. You are encouraged to try some alternative techniques to deter geese from properties around Higgins Lake (e.g., fencing, scare tactics, leaving tall grass around the water’s edge, etc.). Please let me know if you would like more information about any of these techniques.
Your 2020 Round Up (Capture) and hold Canada Geese Permit Application and application fees will be returned. I realize this is not the answer you were hoping for and I understand your frustration. I hope the explanation for the denial of your permit has at least clarified why you do not qualify for the program this year.
Thank you for your understanding and hopefully next year, the situation will be different for all of us.
Sincerely,
Barbara Avers
Waterfowl and Wetlands Specialist
Michigan Department of Natural Resources”