January 27, 2001 - State Fair Park, Youth Building, Milwaukee
8:30 - 9:30 - Oh No! More Goose Poop!
The Urban Goose Dilemma and Other Bothersome Things
Presenter: Dr. Scott Craven, UWEX Wildlife Specialist
Dr. Craven is the Chairman of Wildlife Ecology and works with nuisance wildlife problems. He has been tagging and studying the Canadian Goose for over 20 years.
There are different species of Canadian Geese. The largest, the Giant Canadian Goose, is causing some difficulties now. Different species perform different activities, the geese flying in V-formation overhead are not necessarily the geese on the ground.
Wisconsin is in the Mississippi Valley population zone. These geese fly to the same areas each year for their 15-20 year lifespan. Geese are faithful to a location during their winter and summer migrations, and may even be specific to a certain side or portion of a lake.
In 1965 scientists thought that the Giant Canadian Goose was an extinct species. They found a population in Rochester and studied them. The populations grew since they are no significant threats to these birds in urban areas. An 8-14% increase per year is possible. There is also a population on Turtle Creek. These birds spend the summer in Manitoba, Canada.
Geese mate for life, but will re-mate if widowed. Crippled birds taken in by humans for rehabilitation will seek out and find their mates. A bird will stay on the ground with mate that is netted for study or tagging. If netted together, once released a bird will remain on the ground after being tagged until the mate is released. Birds will nest in March and April after building a 1 ½' nesting bowl. The female will lay one egg every 1 ½ days until about 5 eggs are laid. Eggs hatch within 28 days. Geese are dedicated parents. Often older mates will take over raising young for younger couples to enhance survival rates. During period of time in the summer, the birds go though a seasonal molting period. During this molt, the birds can't fly. The birds grow new wing feathers from "blood quills", the growth state of new feathers. Goose poop contains nitrogen, phosphorous and some nutrients. The poop can ruin a lawn or damage a lake. Scientists tag birds with colored and coded neck bands. If you can note the codes on a band, please report it to the local DNR office.
Most people don't act until the problem is too acute. A few birds get a toehold and increase prolifically. What society is creating as a landscape is great for a goose. Water and grass together makes the geese very happy. Geese get used to people very quickly and we provide them with a good habitat. Then we feed them. Geese like situations where they can find open grass down to the edge of a body of water, with no trees and no shoreline vegetation. Geese also keep ice off of water during winter nesting by swimming.
Goose feet are small compactors that can crush turf down to the soil. Any non-grass material will help to keep geese away. Geese will overcome certain natural deficiencies though if food and safety are available. Geese like to see what is going on around them, if you break up their visual links to each other and the water, they will be reluctant to nest.
Geese aren't alone though, ducks and swans also cause some problems. Geese and ducks both add to shoreline erosion problems and destruction of shoreline barriers. Ducks will also nest everywhere. Mute swans are an exotic species and they interfere with the reintroduction of natural trumpeter swans. Trumpeter's are also studied and tagged, and again, if you have the opportunity to read tags please contact the DNR.
One problem caused by both ducks and geese is "swimmer's itch", which is caused by bacteria in the water from poop. Dense populations can cause these problems.
Solutions to these problems:
Depending on the existing lake's water quality, 60 birds could harm
a lake. A concentration of birds in a specific area could be a problem.
Each bird requires ½ pound of food each day. All goose control must
be DNR permitted. In Wisconsin, only the pigeon, starling and house sparrow
are unprotected birds. Law protects all other bird species.
The local UW Extension can provide information about other animals and exotics that could be a problem around lakes. Shoreline landowners have the greatest level of stewardship in the state. Everyone using state waters should be aware of damaging exotic plants, animals and fish and should not introduce these species.
9:30 - 10:30 - Shoreline Landscaping, Let's Get Wild!
Presenter: Hope Oostdik, Owner, Dutch Designs
Ms. Oostdik owns and operates Dutch Designs, specializing in shoreline landscaping.
A native plant buffer along the water's edge provides a habitat for birds and is beautiful to look at. The native plants grow deeply to intercept nutrients. Native plants provide an understory of shade tolerant shrubs and lower level ground cover beneath the trees. Natives should be planted in colonies or groupings, as the plants would normally appear in nature. Lily pads tend to die off due to disturbances near the shoreline. UW Extension is looking for demonstration projects to see what can be done. They would like before and after pictures of the site to see what can be done.
11:00 - 12:30 - The Good, The Bad, and The Possibilities:
Boating Law Enforcement
Moderator: Dan Wilson, UW Extension Coordinator
Presenters: Reed Breeser, Delafield Police Department, Charles Braeger, Mukwonago Police Department, Don Vincent, Waukesha County Sheriff's Department Boat Patrol, Bill O'Connor, WAL Legal Counsel, John Plenke, DNR Southeast Region Safety Warden, Bob Schulteis, Big Cedar Lake District
Individual Presentations
Each officer had about 5 minutes to speak. Each started their time with a brief explaination of where they patrol, and the important issues they look for.
DW - Most boating law are common sense issues. Boating safety courses are important, and the laws do change frequently. The lake protectors should make sure that residents and users know the applicable laws. The laws can be communicated with good signage, newsletters, safety courses, visits with the local enforcement officials and safety inspections.
CB - Residents can help direct the enforcement officials to keep disruptive boating off of their lakes. Residents want their lake resources protected. Most tickets issued in his area are to visitors. Visits to lakes are based on free access and speed limits on lakes. Again, boating safety courses are important and residents like the visibility of patrol boats.
DV - Usually issues a primary ticket for the largest of the potential violations instead of multiple tickets. Their patrol teams are sent to a 3-day patrol school. They also attend a boating safety instructor course and offer those classes.
BO - The only authority on local issues is the local government body. The local government sets specific laws regarding channels and habitats. Local laws supplement state regulations, but can not be contrary to state laws. Local laws can be more restrictive but can not be less restrictive.
Lakes are the common highways under state law. Laws can not take away public access to lakes. Laws can balance the needs of the various user groups on a lake. Laws can now protect life and limb and the natural resources. Time, place and manner restrictions are allowable. Local laws can restrict the speed, are and time of day for the different user groups. In any case, new laws must go through the normal process requiring public hearings.
JP - He works with a number of municipalities and oversees 24 boat patrols funded by the DNR. Education is the most important and leads to fewer accidents and violations. The DNR attends many local meetings and holds many training classes. The DNR as an advisory role and does review ordinances, but they encourage as few local regulations as possible. The DNR tries to balance fishing, sailing and motorboat uses.
There are 2.5 field wardens per county. Conservation Wardens monitor fishing and hunting issues. Citizens can provide assistance for the DNR's Safety Wardens by calling 1-800-TIP-WDNR (847-9367). The DNR can also act on videotaped evidence.
BS - They post ordinances at all landings and hand out cards with the information as a public relations tool. They also provide boating safety classes. The boat patrols must use certified law enforcement officers and the Lake District has to hire an attorney to prosecute cases.
Question and Answer Session
Although the session was intended as a general Q&A, several attendees asked questions relating to specific issues regarding their own lake. This session should have been better controlled, but the moderators must have been attempting to be nice. Several people stood up and rambled about a problem for minutes at a time, often finishing by just sitting down and not asking a question.
Zebra Mussels - The Water Resources staff at the DNR can assist.
Speed Limits - Lakes need a boat patrol to enforce this, and that patrol
must be properly equipped and trained.
No Internal Combustion Laws - Laws apply differently when the lake
is covered with ice.
2 cycle/4 cycle laws - There is actually a negligible difference in emissions between these two types of engines. The emissions output depends greatly on the type of lake and the wave action of the lake. 4 cycle is the best type. Federal law is changing the regulations for outboard motors. Lakes can regulate use, equipment and operation.
Laws - Water of the state are free to user from any taxes for residents and non-residents. The DNR allows a reasonable fee for launches if the revenue doesn't exceed the cost of operating the launch facility. Based upon state park fees, this rate is set to a maximum of $4.50.
Noise (PWCs) - There is funding and training for the use of decibel monitors available from the DNR, but the laws are not yet finalized. PWCs are required to meet an 86 decibel limit, which is usually exceeded when the craft jumps out of the water. State laws set this level and local laws can not restrict it further.
Wildlife - Watercraft can not harass wildlife or waterfowl.
Boating Safety - Within the next 6-8 months there will be an on-line boating safety course.
Handouts/Materials
Sensible Shoreland Lighting
Milfoil Identification Card
Milfoil Information Flyer
Field Guide to Aquatic Exotic Plants & Animals
Purple Loosestrife Pamphlet
Personal Watercraft Pamphlet
What is a Watershed?
Fresh look at shoreland restoration
Yard Care - Shoreland plants and landscaping
Yard Care - Managing leaves and yard trimmings
Yard Care - Practical tips for home and yard
Yard Care - Beneficial landscape practices
Yard Care - Rethinking yard care
Fighting Eurasian Milfoil
Rusty Crayfish
Brown Water, Green Weeds
Wisconsin Native Plant Sources
Local Boating Regulations