HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works February 26 20131
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee
February 26, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Barbara Brenner called the meeting to order at 1:36 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(1:35:46 PM)
Present: Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Pete Kremen.
Absent: None.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. UPDATE ON THE STARLING CONTROL PROGRAM (AB2012 -408A)
Henry Bierlink, Whatcom Farm Friends, submitted and read from a presentation (on
file). More than 15 years ago, farmers began to contribute to a starling program, which
Farm Friends manages. The program benefits blueberry farmers more than anyone else.
Up to 20 percent of the crop may be affected by starlings. Dairy farms are a natural
location for the birds to hide and roost in during the winter in the barns, sheds, and around
the cows. About 220 blueberry and dairy farmers are affected by the program. Health
officials also recognize the birds carry diseases. Native wildlife advocates such as the
Audubon society also support this program because the birds are non - native pests and can
interfere with native bird species. The County has invested in this program for many years.
Matt Cleland, USDA Wildlife Services, continued the presentation. He described the
origin of the starling problem in the United States. The starlings are the most destructive
species to agricultural crops in North America. One method of control is a decoy trap. They
use a specific registered pesticide for starlings. He described other control methods also
used. As a federal agency, they are governed by the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA).
His agency is funded by individuals who want their work done, not by the federal
government. Locally, the program is run through Farm Friends to pay the cost of the
program. The annual program costs around $30,000. The cost to run a trap on a farm for
a season is about $700, which is what each contributing farmer pays.
He described the trapping program, which includes a decoy trap with bait, water, and
live starlings to attract other starlings. Staff will reset the traps and euthanize the birds
twice per week. The trap is humane. Any non - targeted species trapped are simply
removed and released unharmed.
He described the baiting and poisoning project that is done in the winter. They will
pre -bait an area for a few days to attract starlings before they come in with poison -laced
bait. Staff will attend the poisoned bait the entire time it is left out so no untargeted
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species are affected. The poison metabolizes quickly, so there is no secondary die -off from
a poisoned bird being eaten by something else.
Brenner asked if this method is used when there isn't snow. Cleland stated they
prefer to have snow on the ground, but it isn't necessary. He described the different hazing
and scare tactic techniques, which include kites in the shapes of predators and propane
cannons.
Bierlink concluded the presentation, describing the technique of using predator birds.
The propane cannon use has given British Columbia incentive to become involved in starling
control. A special research project by a number of agencies and universities is studying the
actual damage to fruit crops by birds.
Brenner asked if raspberries are affected. Bierlink stated raspberry farmers don't
have much problems, because the starlings prefer blueberries. He described how people
can help with the program.
(2:01:19 PM)
Brenner read through questions from an email dated February 25, 2013 from Wendy
Harris. Bierlink responded to the questions. About one -third of dairy farmers and one -third
of blueberry farmers are involved. New dairy barns are designed to not include bird
perches. Many things can and should be done, but aren't being done.
Brenner stated she had to modify her old barn to prevent starlings from nesting,
which also unfortunately prevented barn owls, which are good predators. She continued to
ask the email questions. Bierlink stated there isn't one solution for the starling problem.
Cleland stated the USDA is under a presidential executive order to do everything
necessary to get rid of invasive species, whether it's migratory or resident.
Bierlink stated the Michigan State program will evaluate the efficacy of their efforts.
A trapping program is one piece of the puzzle. The idea of getting rid of them or scaring
them away won't solve the problem. The first few years, they were trapping huge numbers.
Since then, the amount leveled off to about 25,000 to 40,000 per year. It's fair to say that
the nuisance or hazard is not expanding. They have a significant problem, but not an
expanding problem.
Cleland stated there is not one other species killed in this program. There is no
secondary effect to DC 1339. It's a very safe tool. The program gets rid of an invasive
species, which protects native birds. It's a major benefit to the ecosystem. They don't do
any kind of monitoring, but other groups may.
Kremen stated the Dairy Federation, not Farm Friends, was originally involved.
Bierlink stated the Dairy Federation and Washington State University (WSU) Extension office
originated the program.
Kremen stated the amount the County has contributed varied from $25,000 or
$30,000, and was reduced to $15,000. Bierlink stated the County contributed $5,000 for a
few years. The program wouldn't survive without County investment. This is not just a
problem for farmers. It's a problem for all the community.
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Kremen stated he appreciates the information and hopes they continue to be
successful in controlling and managing the problem enough to help farmers be successful.
Mann asked how much worse the problem would get if they did nothing. Cleland
stated starlings reproduce at a rate of about six offspring per clutch, with about two to four
clutches per year.
Mann asked the total capacity for Whatcom County. Cleland stated it would be more
than they'd want to see. The skies would be black.
Mann asked why more people in the agricultural community don't participate, if it's
such a beneficial program.
Brenner stated plenty of farmers lose money every year and can't afford it.
Brian Ciesler, Curt Maberry Farm and Enfield Farms Ergonomist, stated other farmers
do things on their own independent of this starling control program. The larger farms
contribute about $2,000 per year. Smaller farms contribute to make up the difference.
They have to work hard to get the $15,000 match to the County's contribution. The
farmers think they are already losing money, and they don't want to pay more. They are
also getting funds from feed companies and the Farm Bureau, which is coming out of the
farmers' pockets anyway. Indirectly, they're paying for the program.
Bierlink stated the collective good isn't always a high priority for businesses. There
aren't as many consequences of not paying the bill. It's not easy to raise the money.
Mann stated that if the program was worthwhile and the farmers saw it's value, they
would be scared the program would stop and everyone would contribute. Spread the cost
over all the farms, not just one -third of the farms. He asked if only one -third of the farms
see a benefit, or if that's all the farms who are willing to contribute. Bierlink stated it's
both.
Kremen stated that if the County is willing to augment the cost of the program, the
farmers who aren't paying into the program don't have an incentive to contribute.
However, the more that farmers contribute, the more successful and robust the program
will be. The money is an investment and also indicates that the County is willing to help the
agricultural community with a problem. He has no problems supporting the program to a
certain extent.
Bierlink stated this is the only place where the farming community gets a check from
the County for anything. It's direct support to the agricultural community.
Mann asked if they could double the number of starlings caught if the County
doubled the amount it contributed. Bierlink stated they may not double the amount, but
they would increase the number of starlings by two - thirds. They would like to try new
technology. They would love to strengthen the program.
Brenner stated there are public health issues involved with starlings. Also, the
County is committed to the agricultural community because it's important to the entire
county collectively. The program is important. She would like to do anything possible to
continue managing the program.
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i
Cleland described awards given to people and his staff who have done a lot for the
program.
Brenner asked how the traps work. Cleland described the function of the traps.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m.
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Please contact the Council Office to obtain an
official, signed copy:
360- 676 -6690 or council@�o.whatcom.wa.us
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