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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 - Migratory & Other Waterfowl; Incubation & Feedingz� ITEM 3 TO: Members of the Newport Beach City Council FROM: Dave Kiff, Assistant City Manager q---- SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 2001 -_ -- An Ordinance Relating to the Protection of Natural Habitat for Migratory and Other Waterfowl; Prohibition on Incubation, Feeding (First Reading) RECOMMENDED Introduce Ordinance No. 2001 -_ and set for second reading and adoption on ACTION: January 8, 2002. BACKGROUND: Newport Bay is an impaired water body, meaning that it is listed by US EPA under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act as contaminated for four things - nutrients, sediment, fecal coliform (an indicator bacteria), and toxics. - Three areas of Lower Newport Bay have chronic, long -term problems with bacteria - these areas are: • The Arches Marina • 43rd Street (Newport Island) • 33rd Street (Newport Island) The County of Orange's Health Care Agency (OC HCA) tests the Bay in 35 different locations for total coliform, fecal coliform, and enteroccoccus once a week. If the tests show that an area exceeds State standards for water quality, the County instructs the City to "post" the beachfront with this sign: WARNING! WEANMAMYCONUC, MY "UMMEW BeMMLEALGMYEERCEEOEU allN SE<NONNS MVISO! ELCWA MCOUIGW OELIX O NEOECIUW EFENUE0 = LMN USOEMCEENYSEECEOFf1 L05 ESE —11 M140 To improve water quality in the Lower Bay and Upper Bay, the City has embarked upon a multi- tiered approach that includes: 1) Limiting contamination from storm Hater runoff and urban runoff; Newport Beach City Council Page 2 2) Educating residents and businesses about best management practices that limit contaminants; 3) Daily and weekly street sweeping with parking enforcement; 4) Routine cleaning of storm drain catch basins and the installation of catch basin filters; 5) Installing and maintaining storm drain -to -sewer diversions; 6) Participating in two major Newport Bay watershed studies involving runoff reduction with inland cities and the County of Orange; 7) Conducting a $500,000+ water testing program in Summer 2001 and 2002, including four different studies; 8) Planning for and establishing the Marine Studies Center at Shellmaker Island; and 9) Adopting new policies relating to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). These City actions do not address two potential sources of water quality contamination - vessel waste discharges (prohibited today -- additional study of the prohibition's effectiveness set for Summer 2002) and avian sources (ducks, gulls, pigeons, and more). So What About the Ducks? Almost everyone likes ducks, but some people Iike ducks more than others. Some people like ducks so much they decide that their yards, entryways, and front and back sidewalks should become feeding areas for dozens and sometimes hundreds of birds. This home along the western side of Grand Canal on Balboa Island is a common duck gathering place. r' 6 lili ! ■ _ ■■ n "■ Ila MKA Duck FeedhVINatering Area on Grand Canal Page 3 Regardless of our affection for ducks, there are three proven reasons why such feeding is harmful: • Duck fecal matter contaminates surface waters; • Duck fecal matter can include organisms harmful to human health; and • The creation of artificial habitat via supplemental feeding and incubation disrupts migratory patterns, compromises duck nutrition, and may increase disease among the duck population. Ducks are Harmful to Water Quality. Each duck dropping can contain millions of colony - forming fecal coliform bacteria, so duck feeding areas can become smelly, slippery, and unhealthy. When duck droppings get into surface waters, the bacteria within the droppings can cause the water to far exceed State water quality standards for fecal coliform, total coliform, and enteroccoccus. As such, the City is directed to "post" beaches where County of Orange water tests have shown these exceedances. 1 duck dropping = 2,400,000 fecal coliform bacteria Qty required to post a beach = 400 fecal coliform bacteria /ml Case studies have shown that water quality impairments in the following locations are due, in part, to the waterfowl population (see Attachment B for details about each instance): • Fountain Valley, California • Fullerton, California • Lakeville, Massachusetts • St. Lawrence, Ontario, Canada • Seattle, Washington • Swamp Creek, Washington • Vasona Lake County Park, San Mateo County, California • Washington, DC Ducks can be Harmful to Humans. In addition to harming water quality, waterfowl and their droppings can cause human illness, including the following (read more about each illness in Attachment B): • Cercarial Dermatitis - severe itching caused by a parasite carried by ducks (also known as "swimmers itch "). • Histoplasmosis -- respiratory ailments, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough. Chronic lung disease resembles tuberculosis. Caused by a fungus found in soils with bird droppings. • Tularemia - pneumonia -like illness caused by a bacterium carried by waterfowl and rabbits. • Cryptosporidiosis - diarrhea caused by cryptosporidium parasite and carried by ducks. • Salmonellosis - gastrointestinal illness caused by bacteria. Children especially susceptible when handling ducklings. • Campylobacteriosis -- diarrhea caused by campylobacter bacteria commonly found in the digestive tracts of wild birds. Page 4 • Psittacosis -- fever, chills, headache, muscle aches. Infection is acquired by inhaling dried secretions from bird droppings. • West Nile Encephalitis - infection of the brain. While there is no known transmission of the West Nile virus from birds to humans, species of ducks have been shown to have antibodies to the WN virus in East Coast studies. • Influenza - virus causing headache, nausea, respiratory ailments. Aquatic birds, particularly wild ducks, are primary reservoirs of influenza viruses. Viruses excreted in the feces and droppings contaminate the water. Duck Feeding can Even be Harmful to Ducks. Many waterfowl experts, including Ducks Unlimited, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the California Department of Fish and Game strongly advise against duck feeding for the following reasons (see Attachment B for more information): Nutrition. A diet of white bread can be fatal to waterfowl. When the birds gorge themselves on bread, they stop eating their natural foods, which are much more nutritious. The birds become malnourished. There have also been cases of birds choking on wads of bread. • Predation. Hand feeding of ducks prevents them from learning to be wary of humans and can cause them to become a nuisance. Instead of living in the wild, these birds learn that they have food and protection from predators when they settle in the city. Waterfowl become more susceptible to attack by domestic dogs, children throwing stones or trying to catch them, and other harassment from those who see them as a problem. • Migration. Migratory waterfowl need to fly south to find sufficient amounts of marsh and grassland plants to eat. Supplementary unnatural feedings may disrupt this natural cycle of migration. • Avian Diseases. Crowded conditions support the transmission of disease, primarily duck viral enteritis, fowl cholera and botulism. While on migratory layover, wild fowl risk contracting localized disease. When they fly out, they can spread disease to previously unaffected areas. • Interbreeding. When feral, domestic fowl commingle with the native population, hybridization occurs. The genetically altered offspring are often flightless, contributing to non - migration and overpopulation. Ducks Unlimited concludes its writing on duck feeding by writing, "Please, if you care for the birds, do not feed them. You are really doing them more harm than good." The Proposed Ordinance. Given the high bacteria counts in duck fecal matter, the potential for increased human illness, and the systemic problems that overfeeding causes to waterfowl, we have proposed an ordinance which: • Finds that the City of Newport Beach seeks to maintain the Upper and Lower Bays in as native and natural form as possible for migratory and other waterfowl; and Pages e Prohibits the incubation and feeding of ducks and other waterfowl unless such feeding is de minimus and does not create an artificial or harmful habitat to the waterfowl; and • Sets up a system of two warnings (with educational material) followed by an administrative citation ($100, $200, and $500) for persons found violating this ordnance. The goal of this ordinance is to protect ducks, water quality, and human health by discouraging and prohibiting the creation of unnatural habitat in Newport Bay. Migratory waterfowl should visit the Bay on their migratory patterns and forage for natural food sources (insects, mollusks, and grasses). Staff recognizes that determining the difference between a child feeding a piece of stale bread to a duck and a person who daily feeds buckets or cans of cat food or bags of bread to a flock will be the most critical part of making this ordinance effective. We are prepared to make every effort to appropriately enforce the proposed Ordinance. The City's Harbor Quality Citizens' Advisory Committee discussed the proposed Ordinance on November 8, 2001, and recommended by a unanimous vote that it be forwarded to the City Council for approval. THIS AGENDA This Agenda Item asks the City Council to move to adopt an ordinance that ITEM: prohibit the incubation and feeding (certain types of feeding) of waterfowl in and around Newport Harbor. If the Council approves the recommended action, it would pass the Ordinance to 2-d Reading on January 8, 2002. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A - Ordinance No. 2001 -_ Relating to the Protection of Natural Habitat for Migratory and Other Waterfowl. Attachment B - Information relating to human pathogens carried by waterfowl, case studies and articles, and what the experts say. Page 6 Attachment A ORDINANCE NO. 2001- AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL HABITAT FOR MIGRATORY AND OTHER WATERFOWL THIS ORDINANCE is made with respect to the following: RECITALS WHEREAS, Newport Beach is home to Newport Bay, one of California's last remaining estuaries that provides natural habitat for dozens of species of migratory birds; and WHEREAS, Newport Bay is an impaired water body under the federal Clean Water Act; and WHEREAS, one of Newport Bay's impairments is for fecal coliform, a bacteria found in warm blooded animals and birds; and WHEREAS, migratory waterfowl and domestic waterfowl both use the Bay to forage for important and nutritional natural food sources, including insects, mollusks and aquatic vegetation; and WHEREAS, experts at Ducks Unlimited, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game say that distorting the feeding habitat for waterfowl by supplementing foods like breads, table scraps, and cat or dog food can harm the waterfowl by supplanting non - nutritional foods for foraged foods, by discouraging migration, by creating an environment that increases the prevalence of avian diseases; and WHEREAS, excessive populations of ducks and other waterfowl contribute to the loading of fecal coliform into Newport Bay; NOW THEREFORE the City Council of the City of Newport Beach does hereby amend the Newport Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 7.26 to read: Chapter 7.26 — PROTECTION OF NATURAL HABITAT FOR MIGRATORY AND OTHER WATERFOWL 7.26.010 Findings The City of Newport Beach finds and declares that: A. the waters of Newport Bay contain important natural habitat for migratory waterfowl and other birds such as ducks, gulls, terns, and pelicans. B. The value of this habitat is maximized when the Bay and its environs are, to the maximum extent practicable, maintained in a manner that replicates the natural environment. Page 7 C. Replicating the natural environment means improving water quality, maintaining native grasses and plants, and by not supplementing nor removing food to the environment. D. Supplementing certain foods outside of the natural habitat can result in direct harm to waterfowl, including discouraging natural migration, causing avian diseases, and limiting the birds' intake of more nutritional natural foods. E. Replicating the natural environment also means not incubating or otherwise intervening in the propagation of waterfowl unless licensed to do so by resources agencies. F. Incidental or de minimus feeding of waterfowl on a sporadic, non - routine basis does not distort or alter migratory patterns or the natural behavior of waterfowl. 7.26.020 Prohibition on Incubation No person, unless permitted or licensed to do so by the California Department of Fish and Game or the US Fish and Wildlife Service, shall incubate or otherwise assist in the propagation of eggs produced by waterfowl such as ducks, terns, gulls, or pelicans found on or adjacent to Newport Bay. 7.26.030 Prohibition on Feeding of Waterfowl No person shall establish or provide food to waterfowl on or adjacent to Newport Bay, unless such feeding is found by the City or its officers to be a temporary and de minimus provision of food that does not distort or alter the natural habitat of Newport Bay. For the purposes of this section, "adjacent' means within one half of one mile of the mean high tide line of Newport Bay or the Pacific Ocean. 7.26.040 Violation Subject to Administrative Citation It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any person violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter shall be subject to civil fines according to Chapter 1.05. 7.26.050 1s` and 2nd Violations --Warning and Education Prior to the issuance of any administrative citation under the authority of Section 7.26.040, the City or its officers shall, in the first and second instances of any violation by any one person, issue a warning along with educational material to any person found violating this chapter. The educational material shall state the benefits to water quality and to habitat protection of this chapter's prohibitions. This Ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach held on the 11th Day of December, 2001, and was adopted on the 8th Day of January, 2002, by the following vote, to wit: AYES, COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES, COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS: Page g ATTEST: LAVONNE HARKLESS CITY CLERK MAYOR Page 9 Attachment B 1 I — Human Pathogens Carried by Waterfowl Cercarial Dermatitis (Swimmer's Itch) Swimmers Itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to infection with certain parasites of birds and mammals. These microscopic parasites are released from infected snails to swim in fresh and salt water, such as lakes, ponds, and oceans used for swimming and wading. The adult parasite lives in the bloodstream of infected host animals such as ducks, geese, gulls, swans, as well as in certain aquatic mammals such as muskrat and beaver. The parasites produce eggs that are passed in the feces of the host bird or mammal. If the parasite - infected feces lands in the water, the water becomes contaminated. Eggs hatch, releasing small, free - swimming larvae, called miricidia. These larvae swim in the water in search of a certain species of aquatic snail. Humans get swimmer's itch when the cercarial larvae burrow into the skin, thus the name cercarial dermatitis. The larvae cannot develop inside a human and they soon die. Anyone who swims or wades in infested water may be at risk. Larvae are more likely to be swimming along shallow water by the shoreline. Children are most often affected because they swim, wade, and play in the shallow water more than adults. Psittacosis Chlainydia psittaci, a bacterium, can infect humans to cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a dry cough. Pneumonia is often evident on chest x -ray. Infection is acquired by inhaling dried secretions from infected birds. The incubation period is 6 to 19 days. Although all birds are susceptible, pet birds (parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels) and poultry (turkeys and ducks) are most frequently involved in transmission to humans. Salmonellosis Previous reports have documented the potential for ducklings (5) and chicks (6) to transmit Salmonella to humans. The proportion of all salmonellosis attributable to ducklings and chicks is unknown but is likely to be small because most Salmonella infections are foodborne. Young children are at higher risk because they are often the recipients of these pets and may be unable to follow instructions about careful hygiene. Infants, if infected, are particularly susceptible to severe salmonellosis. In Maryland, following the recovery of Salmonella from chicks and ducklings that were for sale during the Easter seasons of 1965- 1967, legislation was enacted allowing the sale of fowl under 3 weeks of age only to commercial breeders and farmers (7). Similar legislation exists in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and other states. In 1995 and 1996, Washington state epidemiologists investigated the source of illness for 20 people with Salmonella serotype Montevideo, one of more than 2,000 strains of the bacteria. They found that 14 of the 20 people became ill after handling chicks. Several young children who did not handle chicks directly, were probably infected by parents or siblings who had handled chicks. West Nile Encephalitis Approximately 33% (430) of the birds in this study were positive for West Nile virus - neutralizing antibodies, whereas <05% tested positive for SLE virus - neutralizing antibodies. The six species for which >10 birds were sampled each had at least one WN virus - seropositive bird. Of the eight species represented, the Domestic,Goose was the most frequently exposed to infection, followed by Domestic Chicken, House Sparrow, Canada Goose, Rock Dove, and Mallard. Cryptosporidiosis Migrating ducks could be a vector by which water supplies become contaminated with Cnjptosporidiura parvinn, say researchers in a study that appears in the September 1996 issue of Applied and Environmental Page 10 Microbiology. The researchers, from Johns Hopkins University, the Baltimore Zoo and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, orally innoculated six cryptosporidium -free ducks with the organism and then monitored the ducks' feces for the next week. A majority of the organisms passed through the intestinal tracts of the ducks and were shed in the feces over a 48 hour period. Cnjptosporidium parvum is a waterborne parasite that can cause diarrheal illness. In immocompromised individuals it can cause repiratory and gallbladder infections and can cause death. It represents a significant public health threat having caused numerous outbreaks in the United States, including an outbreak in Milwaukee that affected an estimated 403,000 people. The transmissible stage, the oocyst, is resistant to conventional water disinfection procedures applied to other waterborne pathogens and remains viable in the environment over long periods, particularly when in association with fecal material. Pastures, grazing lands and animal manure are recognized as significant sources of viable oocysts. During the spring and fall migrations, thousands of waterfowl use fields, pastures, ponds and cattle grazing lands for feeding and resting. The researchers conclude that birds, particularly migratory waterfowl, could be an important, as yet unstudied, vector in the contamination of water supplies. Campylobacteriosis In humans, infection by one of several species of Campylobacter bacteria, particularly Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and Campylobacter fetus (C. febrs), most typically results in diarrhea. In the natural environment, Campylobacter bacteria are commonly found in the digestive tracts of wild birds (ducks, geese, seagulls), rodents and farm animals (chickens, cows, sheep, pigs). They can also live in the intestines of household pets, including dogs, cats and birds. Histoplasmosis H. capsulaturn grows in soils throughout the world. In the United States, the fungus is endemic and the proportion of people infected by H. capsulabnrz is higher in central and eastern states, especially along the valleys of the Ohio, Mississippi, and St. Lawrence rivers, and the Rio Grande. The fungus seems to grow best in soils having a high nitrogen content, especially those enriched with bird manure or bat droppings, The organism can be carried on the wings, feet, and beaks of birds and infect soil under roosting sites or manure accumulations inside or outside buildings. Tularemia In July 2001, health officials in Wyoming diagnosed a rare bacterial illness known as tularemia in two Sweetwater County residents. Tularemia, also called rabbit fever and deer -fly fever, is a zoonotic disease that is widely distributed in the Northern hemisphere. The agent that causes tularemia is Francisella brlarensis, a bacterium. Humans, domestic and wild mammals (dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits, squirrels, muskrats, deer, etc...), 25 species of birds (ducks, grouse, quail, songbirds, etc.), several species of fish, amphibians and reptiles are among the hosts of tularemia. In nature, F. tularensis can survive for months in soil, mud, animal hide, carcasses and water. Influenza Aquatic birds, particularly wild ducks, are primary reservoirs of influenza viruses. The virus multiplies in the gastrointestinal tract and usually causes no illness to the aquatic birds. It is excreted in the feces, and the droppings contaminate the water. Thus, aquatic birds and domestic fowls become infected in nature by coming contact with contaminated water. Page 11 Case Studies and Recent Articles Seattle, Washington Case Study using RNA Testing "A 1993 study using this RNA method conducted in Piper's Creek in Seattle's Carkeek Park identified domestic cats as the major source of bacteria. Studies conducted at Juanita Beach in 1998, identified ducks and geese as the major source of fecal coliform pollution, with seagulls and dogs as secondary sources. The RNA tests are expensive and time consuming, taking weeks to obtain the data. While the results are valuable in designing our long term water quality protection programs, the results are not available fast enough to use this technique for routine monitoring of the beaches or the sewer system. The fecal coliform testing (without RNA analysis) takes less than 48 hours, allowing a much faster response to a potential problem." Washington, DC Washington Newspaper Article "The aesthetically pleasing ponds at suburban office complexes and housing developments — created to improve drainage and reduce sediment loadings into waterways -- have ironically created a new set of environmental concerns. The unpleasant goose droppings found around those manicured storm water ponds are contaminating water in places such as the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, according to environmental studies. "In the Washington area, the ponds are often required for developments effecting local streams that feed into the environmentally sensitive Chesapeake and Potomac. "The drawback is while they clean up sediments, they may actually contribute more bacteria to the streams because they attract wildlife," says Don Waye, environmental program manager Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), which studies such issues. As suburbia stretches out into the wilderness of Northern Virginia and Maryland, the storm water ponds have become safe and plentiful watering holes and habitats for geese, ducks, raccoons and other animals. With the animals and waterfowl come their droppings, and that's a cause for worry .... For example, waterfowl make up 37 percent of the fecal bacteria in the Four Mile Run streams. That's followed by raccoons at 15 percent, deer at 10 percent and dogs at 9 percent. ...its the waterfowl — in particular Canada Geese -- that are causing the most concern. "There are several alternatives available to developers to reduce the ponds' attractiveness to geese, according to the NVRC, including ... vegetative barriers at the ponds' edge that dissuade waterfront visitors (from feeding the geese) and also filter more sediments and pollutants. At Lake Barcroft in Fairfax County (VA), the community employs a border collie to chase the geese away. Collies have been used for centuries to heard sheep and other livestock. " Fullerton, California Excerpts from an LA Times Article "(Laguna) Lake is so contaminated, many fish have died. "It's too bad, because there aren't many places. to fish around here..." Residents in the hills around the lake share his concern. So do officials at the state Department of Fish and Game. That is why 7 -acre Laguna Lake, a beloved gathering spot in Fullerton's northern hills, is getting a ^$2- million renovation. A Long Beach consultant has been hired to advise the city, which owns the lake, =on what needs to be done. But the concern goes beyond dead fish. A staff report to the City Council said "significant amounts of contamination" from Laguna Lake are reaching coastal eaters. The lake feeds into Brea and Coyote creeks, which run to the ocean via the San Gabriel River. Page 12 "A report from the consulting firm Moffatt & Nichols is due in October, but the city already has some idea of what needs to be done: Create a filtering system to redirect runoff. Reduce the wildlife population to a manageable level. Restore the shoreline greenery. Improve the lake's circulation system for better aeration. Remove the contaminated sediment. "Joan McCabe and her daughter Kelly said they take their daily walks at the lake specifically because they love feeding the ducks. They plan to be at the June 9 hearing to recommend that the city restore some of the ducks' nesting places. But the Fish and Game Department recommends that the city prohibit feeding the ducks at Laguna Lake, so it's likely to be a hot topic." Swamp Creek, Washington State DNA Study Results Samples were collected from Swamp Creek at three locations. Most upstream samples were collected at the city limits, and two downstream samples were collected in unincorporated Snohomish County. DNA tests at the UW indicated that the major sources of contamination were pets, birds and urban wildlife such as raccoons, ducks and geese. Contamination from humans was minimal at about 2.4 percent. Vasona Lake County Park, San Mateo County, California County Park Department Web site "...One of the park's defining characteristics is its large geese and duck populations. Both native and domestic varieties of this waterfowl live in the park - preferring the two small islands in Vasona Lake as their home. Many park visitors do enjoy feeding the geese and ducks; however, they cannot digest most "human" food properly. As of May 15, 1997 park visitors will no longer be able to feed the ducks at Vasona Lake County Park. The Department is attempting to regain a natural habitat for native ducks and other wildlife at Vasona Lake, and write that "we ask that you please resist the temptation to feed ducks and other wildlife. Food sources, such as bread, popcorn, and potato chips are an unnatural food source and are unhealthy to a duck's diet. Unfortunately this type of unnatural feeding also increases the population to a level that cannot possibly be sustained by the park's natural food sources. Help keep the park's habitat natural and wild. Please don't feed the ducks and other wildlife." Lakeville, Massachusetts Newspaper Article "The ... spill that shut down the waterfront of Cathedral Camp and affected hundreds of Long Pond residents last summer remains a mystery, and a watchdog group wants to make sure it does not happen again. Roughly 500 children attending the camp were forced out of the water and the town beach in Freetown was shut down in early August 1995 when high levels of fecal coliform bacteria — an indication of raw sewage — was discovered ...... One of the things on our agenda is to address the geese issue. It's not just a problem on Long Pond but throughout the Northeast region ... They aren't migrating like they should be doing and instead they are living off people feeding them. Sure it is cute to feed the birds but the side effect can be contaminated water. We have to educate people not to feed the geese and ducks." St. Lawrence, Ontario, Canada Newspaper Article "The Ring- billed Gull, a bird common to the St. Lawrence, has been recognized as a carrier of a number of microbes which can cause disease in humans, such as Salmonella, Aeromonas, Campylobacter and Yersinia. Therefore, health problems may appear when no sustained effort is made to keep these birds away from beaches. Two studies conducted in the freshwater section of the St. Lawrence revealed that gull droppings contribute to the microbial contamination of recreational waters. The authors of these studies recommend limiting sources of food near bathing areas to deter gulls. Clean beaches, refuse containers with lids, and restrictions on feeding birds are simple means of preventing health problems" Page 13 Fountain Valley, California Orange County Register Article "A suspected outbreak of avian botulism is killing unusually large numbers of ducks and other birds at Mile Square Regional Park, prompting rangers to step up enforcement of rules forbidding animal feeding. About 130 dead or dying water birds, mostly ducks, were pulled from the park's north lake over the past three weeks (June 2000), said ranger Phil Martinez. Veterinarian Richard Evans said he will analyze tissue samples taken from the dead birds to try to confirm his suspicion: that avian botulism is killing the birds. The disease poses no threat to people. The ailing bird, a snowy egret, could not be saved and had to be put to sleep, he said. "While the number of dead birds at Mile Square Park is higher than normal, the causes - assuming the ducks are being killed by avian botulism - are familiar, Evans said. Botulism is caused by various strains of bacteria; some infect humans, some animals. The bacteria are always present in soil, but certain conditions cause them to multiply rapidly. One of the most important is simply a large number of birds. City duck ponds are especially vulnerable; more ducks means more feces, which build up at the bottoms of ponds and provide places for the bacteria to grow. "You see people coming in with shopping baskets from the day -old bakery, loaded with bread," Evans said. "You can't get them to understand that bugs thrive on carbohydrate." That's why animal feeding is abad idea, Martinez said. More ducks are drawn to the pond and remain longer instead of flying elsewhere. The bacteria secrete a toxin that is picked up by invertebrates such as insects. Fish eat the invertebrates; birds eat the fish; the birds die and other creatures feed on maggots that have invaded the carcasses, further spreading the botulism bacteria. The result: paralysis. The birds first have trouble flying, then moving at all, and finally die. Although a campaign to discourage animal feeding has been in place at the park since January, Martinez said he and his staff have increased their efforts to get the word out. Large banners will be erected around the park, he said, warning visitors not to feed birds. All feeding will be discouraged, he said, although much of the problem is caused by people who bring large bags of surplus bread and other food to the park. Drop offs of large quantities of bread, vegetables or meat have been reported at a variety of county natural areas, especially in Huntington Beach. One elderly woman was stopped by police in June as she prepared to dump two large garbage bags of meat and bread into Talbert Marsh, where problems with bacteria and bird feces have been chronic. Aside from discouraging feeding and retrieving dead animals immediately, Martinez said little can be done for the birds. "That's all we can do," he said." III — What the Experts Say The Lindsay Wildlife Museum (Lindsay, California) "Ducks and Geese - Do Not Feed" "Domestic ducks - mostly descendants of pet ducks - are found at many local ponds and marinas including Heather Farms park. Normally ducks migrate or move to new homes when their food supply declines. However, partly because people feed the ducks, these animals may stay in the same area year' round. Overpopulation in local ponds by domestic ducks is common. The water is frequently polluted from their feces and from food thrown into the water by humans. Many ducks and other birds die from avian botulism and other diseases in crowded ponds every summer. Native wild ducks and other birds are also killed by the spread of these diseases. You can help by not feeding the ducks. Ducks normally eat insects, mollusks and aquatic vegetation. Feeding ducks bread and other food contributes to their overpopulation and increases the spread of diseases to native wild ducks." Page 14 Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), Massachusetts Web site Information "CRWA's office is situated at the upper end of the Charles River Lakes District in Newton. Our location allows us to note the wide variety of birds that live in and along the river. As the seasons change, bird populations using the river change as well. One species, however, is easily seen on any day of the year — Canada Geese are now permanent residents along the river and in many other areas of Massachusetts. For a number of reasons, however, feeding geese and other waterfowl is a bad idea. As a general rule, any direct interaction between people and wildlife is detrimental to wildlife and often to the people as well. Sometimes this is obvious, as when we purposely harm wildlife for our amusement. But often the harm is less apparent, especially when it stems from actions intended to benefit wildlife. Feeding geese falls within this category. People do it because it is fun and geese seem to need and appreciate the food we give them. However, feeding geese is detrimental to them and may be harmful to us as well. Geese, like all birds, are highly adapted to their specialized lifestyle. One important adaptation is a very fast digestive system. Birds have sacrificed some efficiency in their digestive process in order to process food quickly. A stomach full of food is extra weight that birds cannot afford to haul up into the air. As a result, geese produce a much greater volume of waste than most other animals of similar size. This volume is increased because of the low nutritional content of the food they eat, particularly when it consists of bread. Grass, a principal food source, passes through a goose in about two hours and grazing geese will excrete every seven minutes like clockwork. When geese are enticed to concentrate and remain in an area because of an artificial food supply, the area becomes subject to intense loading from their waste. This is more unpleasant than harmful, but it adds to the burden of nutrients and bacteria that a body of water must absorb. Indiana County (PA) Parks Department "Wildlife and Waterfowl Feeding Policy" Indiana County (PA) Parks does not permit the feeding of wildlife and waterfowl at county parks for the following reasons: • Not feeding wildlife allows animals to find natural food sources, which are plentiful in the park and provide better nutrition than food intended for human consumption. • A diet of white bread can be fatal to waterfowl. When birds feed on bread, they may stop eating natural food sources which are more nutritious. The birds may become malnourished and there have been cases of birds choking on wads of bread (Source: Ducks Unlimited, www.ducks.or�) • Feeding wildlife supports artificially high numbers of wildlife, above what the natural numbers would be. Hand feeding of wildlife prevents them from being wary of people and may cause them to become a nuisance or a danger to humans. • Feeding areas carry germs and bacteria. Feeding waterfowl can cause avian botulism, which can result in waterfowl deaths. • Excessive feeding has resulted increased rodent populations. We have been required to bait and trap rodents at Blue Spruce Park in areas where feeding has occurred. • High numbers of waterfowl can decrease water quality due to high levels of fecal coliform and nitrogren found in waterfowl waste. A single goose can produce up to 1.5 pounds of droppings per day and a flock of 150 geese can produce 40 tons of droppings per year (Source: Water Resources Education Network). • High numbers of Canada Geese have made the park lawn and turf areas undesirable and, in some cases, unusable due to the excessive amounts of droppings. • The Pennsylvania Game Commission, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited all advise against the feeding of waterfowl. In the case of Canada Geese, feeding can contribute to a Page 15 \ loss of migratory instincts, resulting in high numbers of Canada Geese who no longer follow normal migration patterns. Most other parks, including Pennsylvania State Parks and many other county park systems, do not permit wildlife feeding. • As an alternative to feeding, park visitors are encouraged to observe wildlife from a distance by walking along the park system's many trails and open space areas. The park system provides an extensive series of environmental education programs, including live animal programs, where visitors can learn more about local wildlife. • In cases of severe winter weather, Indiana County Parks personnel may feed the waterfowl. Ducks Unlimited Web site Information "Ducks Unlimited does not recommend feeding wild waterfowl. As is often the case when humans interact with wildlife, problems begin to arise when humans feed waterfowl. Hand feeding wild animals, although entertaining, prevents them from learning to be wary of humans and can cause them to become a nuisance. Instead of living in the wild, these birds learn that they have food and protection from predators when they settle in the city. "Waterfowl become more susceptible to attack by domestic dogs, children throwing stones or trying to catch them, and other harassment from those who see them as a problem. Flocks of semi -tame buds can become nuisances by defecating of the grass and causing damage to parks, golf courses, and other recreational areas. Waterfowl can also become a water - quality issue because of the high levels of fecal coliform and nitrogen in their waste. "Furthermore, many people do not realize that a diet of white bread can be fatal to waterfowl. When the birds gorge themselves on bread, they stop eating their natural foods, which are much more nutritious. The birds become malnourished and there have also been cases of buds choking on wads of bread. "Many people feed waterfowl in the winter because they feel badly for the birds that have to live in the cold. Because of the extreme temperatures reached in the winter, migratory waterfowl need to fly south to find sufficient amounts of marsh and grassland plants to eat. Supplementary unnatural feedings may disrupt this natural cycle of migration. Please, if you care for the birds, do not feed them. You are really doing them more harm than good." Parks Officials in San Mateo County, California (Publication) Publication Entitled, "How does feeding harm the ducks ?" NON - MIGRATION Waterfowl migrate to search for food and a more moderate climate. Park visitors have encouraged waterfowl to remain due to abundant, unnatural feeding, causing overpopulation. OVERPOPULATION A concentrated population of domestic waterfowl competes with natives for the natural resources and causes damage. The crowded conditions promote avian diseases. AVIAN DISEASES Crowded conditions support the transmission of disease, primarily duck viral enteritis, fowl cholera and botulism. While on migratory layover, wild fowl risk contracting localized disease. When they fly out, they can spread disease to previously unaffected areas. Page 16 INTERBREEDING When feral, domestic fowl commingle with the native population, hybridization occurs. The genetically altered offspring are often flightless, contributing to non - migration and overpopulation. PHYSICAL DAMAGE Domestic gees are primarily grazers. Due to their large numbers, portions of the lawns and shrubs have been sheared to the roots, leaving unsightly landscape problems. The lawns, paths, docks, picnic tables and reservoir are also contaminated with feces, which is costly to remove. WATER QUALITY Each goose produces one pound of feces every day. The accumulation of waste matter in the reservoir has created unpleasant odors and diminished oxygen levels, reducing the viability of aquatic live in the water. PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS Duck feces and its potential salmonella content brings hazards to the public. Geese are prone to aggression and have been known to bite children and adults." 1 Page 17 Ducks ra:ly at a container of fresh water put out by a friend on Little Balboa Island. Other folks oppose pollution by the birds. Quackdown on Duck Feeders? Fowl: Newport Beach is pondering fining those who give water birds treats regularly or in `bulk.` By SCANI.BY ALLISON and DAVID H ALDANE nsi3 srnrr waruv Memo to the ducks of Neipor� Bay: The 1ne lunch may be over. Un :ter an ordinance no•.c Ixin, considered by N( port Belch. people who regularly fetdd the ducks in the bay's islands. marshes and boat docks would face fines of up to $500. Supporters believe the law is needod because humans are dw mp:ing the natural ngratory pat. terns of ducks and other water fowl by throwing handfuls of bread, bagels ar,d bad �eltes into the bay. Trealec to the b::ffet of breads, ntore birds are s.:r :inr pill in Newporr. iM1e:mb r: ln" q :m con- tinuing on their r;g atory paths. And! their dropnnrr are ,orsen- ing the bay's already polluted wn- te:s. The ordinance leaves it up to cone enforcement officers and other city officials to determine or. a case-bv-case basis how much feeding is ton much. The proposal says that "temporary and inciden- tal- Reding i5 permitted but that regular or "bulk" feeding is not. Assistant Cin- Manager Dave liiff puts it another way: "tie are trying to make a distinction be• tween a person ... with a [piece 0.9 bagel feeding a duck and sonic one who has a bucket of bread. .. IN care not thing to pick on the ducks. R'e are trying to pm ter, the water quality" Duck riroppings contain high Ic• :rls of coliform bacteria that can bo harntCd to f imms —eq ( idly ill the l ty. thr st.igcac. wai ers of Martha Anwiler, a 41.year resident of Balboa• says she occa• sionally feeds ducks. The Newport Beach City Council. to curb Pleases" DUCKS. B10 tainted water. may bar fowl feedings at a Dec. 11 meeting. Page 1S LOSANGELFSTIMES - a w A r 6;i'yrK r.C.un :. LOS I Ducks greet joggers on Little Balboa Island. where some view the birds as a nuisance. DUCKS: Possible Bread Ban Conlinuedfrom Bl me that l cant feed them:' these ducks —there needs to be "In an arm where you have lots A much newer resident across some guidelines." of ducks and limited [ratural] the wa:cr, however. sees the matter If Newport Beach approves the flushing of water, a hrw ducks can differently. I.Im Boar, 31, moped ordinance. it will join a handful of go a long way'- toward polluting to Balboa with her husband and other municipalities that have the Anwr, said Ifonica Nl:aur of the three young children just over a laws regulating feeding ducks. Orange County L'cal :h Cart year ago. And sharing the neigh - Villa Park. for example, passed Agency. borhood with so many ducks, she an ordinance in May 1999 after Alone the canal sepaza:hig Ba!- said. is --very loud. obnovous and residents complained about a hoa Isla -d from r.fttle Balboa Is- you have to wear carpiugs all day neighbor who led rocks of wild - land. the daily quacking of the ap- king :' ducks, causing excessive drop- proxirtately 75 ducks can be hearer Her biggest concern. however. is pings and unsanitary conditions. for blocks. e=cr pollution. "I live on the wa- A Newport Beach subcommit- . Helen Chapman. `l, a resident ter :" Brown said. "and I can't set tee voted Thursday to forward the , since 1934. acid she's fed the ducks foot in it. My lids get skin rashes If ordinance to the City Council for ever' day for 30 year.,. The idea of they touch the water. My pediatri- review. probably at its Dec. 11 regulating :heir feeding. Chapman cis, told me they should stay away meeting. said, s --dumb. Why are we worry- frog it.' The ordinance calls for at least ing about something as stupid as The matter was so upsetting, . two warnings, accompanied by this ?' I Brown said, that she called her city educational materials. before a She has become so familiar with councilman and the state Depart- fine of $100 to $500 would be im- the birds that she has even given ment of Fish and Game on many posed.. some of them names. such as occasions to complain. **If they "One of our big goals is not to Pretty Girl. Peepers and Bibs. stopped feeding the ducks on a fine people but to educate them `They we God's cre:e:ures:' Chap- regular basis:' she said, "they and win over people who love man said, "aud. I'm sorry, but I would migrate like normal ducks. ducks but also love good water don't think anybody is going to tell The canal is not big enough for all quality." Kiff said.