And so was this kit. Cheryl snapped these this morning on her way to work. Same procedure, returning to the hole under the willow by the footbridge carrying something to snack on. No work being done that we could see this morning, but we are hopeful dad will start a project and the irresistible allure of work will draw the scattered siblings to help. A reporter from the record came down today and will do a story next week. She was especially interested in the idea of the lost wetlands habitat with the dam washout. When beavers go, the neighborhood goes with them!
Now that we have our Martinez Beaver fix out of the way, there’s work to be done. Bat signal in Connecticut! Apparently there’s a community castor consternation at work. The local and inscrutably named conservation commission has weighed in and now all that’s left is the killing. Watch this report:
Rumor has it a resident contacted Mike Callahan of Beaver Solutions to try and pressure the city to use humane tools. I wrote the relevant players last night and rooted around the internet to find this reasoned discussion about extermination in the conservation commission notes. My favorite part is where they all decide they need to kill the animals fast so the trapper gets the best price for the pelt. Thoughtful group.
Viney Hill Brook Park
Goody LeLash left a message for Joe Budrow, Essex ZEO regarding the beaver remediation at Old Quarry Pond, Viney Hill Brook Park. Ms. LeLash has not yet heard back from Mr. Budrow however Ms. LeLash has contacted a few licensed beaver trappers. The trappers can offer various ways to control the beavers. The cost to remove the beavers is $1,000 or more. Ms. LeLash was informed that there are very few locations left remaining within the state to which the beavers can be transferred. Michael Salafia, licensed trapper will remove the beavers at no cost providing he does so prior to the end of March 2011. Ms. LeLash indicated that she has not had an opportunity to speak with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Maryann Pleva referenced a DEP print-out on the management of the beavers. In this literature, the DEP notes that transplanting the beavers to another location is not a viable option. The DEP recommends that the beavers be destroyed. The beavers prefer to live in an area populated with people and a water source. The benefit of allowing the beavers to remain is that they provide a habitat for a wide variety of animals and insects, noting that dead standing trees killed by floods are home to blue heron.
Ms. LeLash indicated that Essex is home to an urban preserve and that this is the first time that a beaver population has been experienced in this park.
Doug Demarest stated that the best thing to do would be to trap the beavers and get rid of them.
Maryann Pleva questioned that if they are trapped and taken away, will other beavers find their way to this location.
Mr. Demarest stated that if they come back, they will be trapped again.
Ms. Tucker noted that before the beavers are trapped, approval should be obtained from Joe Budrow, Essex Wetlands Enforcement Officer.
It was the consensus of the Commission members that extermination is the only viable option for eradicating the beavers.
Ms. LeLash will email Mr. Budrow to seek approval to eradicate the beavers at Viney Hill Brook Park.
It was noted that the time constraint involves beaver pelts which are rich and ready to go now.
Mr. Helmecki suggested that the first Selectman should also be informed.
Motion made by Rich Helmecki to authorize Michael Salafia, licensed trapper to catch and remove at no fee, all of the beavers at Old Quarry Pond in Viney Hill Brook Park, with the approval of Joe Budrow, the Essex Wetlands Enforcement Officer. The First Selectman’s office will also be informed of the proposed activity.
Discussion
Ms. LeLash will call and email Mr. Budrow to discuss this activity and seek the approval from the Wetlands Enforcement Agent. Ms. LeLash will request that Mr. Budrow confirm his approval in writing. Mr. Budrow will advise the Conservation Commission if any other persons should be notified of this activity. The Trapper will be required to provide a copy of his trapping license and insurance. Ms. LeLash will inquire if the traps are all situated in the water. Ms. LeLash will contact the Town’s attorney to discuss the liability of this project.
Well, looks like Essex will be this week’s winner of the ‘whose killing beavers now’ award. Since this decision was made a month ago and the press is just covering it now I’m not hopeful for the fate of these beavers, but maybe the experience will squeeze some information through the constricted conduit of learning for the town in general. I was especially struck by this part of the article
News 8 went to First Selectman Phil Miller’s office seeking his perspective on the situation. He wasn’t there, but later returned one of News 8’s emails saying, “I’m. sorry that someone has turned you on to a non-event of sorts, just with the hopes that it might make me and the town look bad.”
Killing a family is a non-event in Connecticut and the media was only called in to make Essex look bad. If you’d like to send your thoughts about this unimportant effort to make Essex look bad (and believe me, Phil, we couldn’t do it without you) you can write Mr. Miller here.
