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6.5.A. - Page 1 <br />REPORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br />February 27, 2012 <br />SUBJECT <br />Ordinance Amending Section 25.2.02 (1) of the Redwood City Municipal Code relating to <br />Park Rules and waterfowl <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Waive First Reading and Introduce an Ordinance Amending Section 25.2.02 (1) of the <br />Redwood City Municipal Code relating to park Rules and waterfowl. <br />BACKGROUND <br />Redwood City's Park Rules, adopted in 2007 and codified in Chapter 25 of the <br />Redwood City Municipal Code, generally prohibit harassing waterfowl within City parks. <br />The purpose of amending this rule is to more explicitly recognize the authority of <br />federal and state agencies to regulate and permit wildlife management activities in the <br />City. <br />In many areas of the United States, including Redwood Shores, non - migrating Canada <br />goose populations have increased dramatically over the past few decades. In urban <br />areas such as Redwood Shores, resident geese have populated landscaped areas that <br />provide expanses of short grass for food, lack of natural predators, the absence of <br />hunting, and hand feeding by some people. <br />Redwood Shores residents have identified a problem with large populations of geese <br />residing in private and public open spaces in the Redwood Shores area and leaving <br />droppings in fields, play areas, paths, benches, and tables. <br />Although most people welcome the presence of geese and other waterfowl, local flocks <br />are growing and their leavings have become excessive. (Studies show that each <br />goose produces a pound of droppings per day on average.) Problems include over- <br />grazed lawns, accumulations of droppings and feathers on play areas and walkways, <br />accelerated algae growth in waterways due to excessive droppings, concerns about <br />public health, aggressive behavior by nesting birds, and safety hazards near roads. <br />According to both the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California <br />Department of Fish and Game, "resident" Canada geese populations are well above <br />desired levels. Both agencies have labeled resident Canada geese as a "nuisance" <br />species and have devised allowable mitigation methods to help control the problem, <br />including hazing, disturbing or removing nests (not those with eggs in nests), and <br />preventing eggs from hatching by oiling, puncturing or addling eggs (but must be left in <br />