BONNYVILLE – Landowners in the MD of Bonnyville now have a beaver control policy they can sink their teeth into.
Council passed a motion during their March 11 meeting to put a program in place for the 2020/21 winter season for landowners to trap and remove a problem that’s been gnawing at them.
“With the increase in water over the last three years, we felt that we needed… a little bit of a stronger approach to beaver reduction,” explained Matt Janz, general manager of environmental and protective services.
The new policy will replace the existing one, which had the municipality contracting the services out to trappers.
Under their new program, landowners fill out a form and must be approved by the MD’s Agricultural Service Board (ASB) before removing or killing a beaver. The program will run from Oct. 1, 2020 to May 15, 2021.
Residents will receive $20 for every beaver they trap. If a land owner requires the MD's services to blast a beaver dam, they will be charged $100.
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Coyote and wolf program sees a jump
The number of coyotes being brought to the municipality through the coyote and wolf reducation program has seen an increase.
“To date, 12 wolves have been brought in and 1,415 coyotes since we started the program Dec. 1, (2019),” Janz said, adding the wolf numbers are on par with previous years so far.
“Our typical number of wolves to come in is between 30 and as high as 40. A typical year in the coyote program is in the 1,200 to 1,300 animals.”
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Voicing concerns about Hwy. 657
The MD will be sending another letter to Alberta’s Minister of Transportation Richard McIver outlining issues on Hwy. 657 and the possibility of cost-sharing repairs.
Coun. Dana Swigart suggested including photos of the problem areas.
“The minister obviously doesn’t know what’s going on with the road, because he just says the party line ‘if the road needs work, we’ll make sure that we’ll grade and gravel it.’ Well, they’re not doing that,” he exclaimed.
Correspondence will also be sent to federal Minister of Transportation Marc Garneau since Hwy. 657 goes into Kehewin Cree Nation, which falls under federal jurisdiction.
Long-term use of vacant home checks
Council tasked administration with putting together a policy to address long-term use of vacant home checks.
“There was some talk about the usage, or perhaps abuse, by some residents who are gone for long periods of time,” explained Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
How often a peace officer makes a stop to check a resident’s home if they’re gone for a long period of time was discussed, and if there could be a better way than someone stopping by every day when possible.
The program has been popular for residents since it was implemented, with 591 home checks conducted in February.
Strychnine being phased out
Farmers will have to find another way to address pests after the MD discussed Strychnine being phased out by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).
Janz noted the municipality still has a good supply of the white, odourless, bitter crystalline powder that’s used by farmers to rid their land of gophers.
It will still be available for purchase from the municipality until 2022, and Janz believes their supply will last them that long.
Ag recycling program seeing success
Over the winter, the MD’s agriculture plastics recycling program has been busy.
Janz outlined there have been three 30-yard bins of twine, bale wrap, and net wrap, along with 15 bales of grain bags rounded up.
With spring quickly approaching, Janz doesn’t see the number of items collected slowing down any time soon.
