Riverhead bans feeding Canada geese on town property

Saying that too many Canada geese are hanging around town, leaving a mess wherever they congregate, Riverhead's town board has passed a new law making it illegal to feed them on town property.

The penalty, a $50 fine approved Tuesday night, is not nearly as harsh as in some other towns on Long Island, but it is another way for the town to deal with a significant suburban problem.

"They're an enormous problem. . . . They're everywhere," said Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister, who heads the not-for-profit agency that works to improve water quality in Peconic Bay.

"Once upon a time, they were migratory. Now, they're year-round. They damage the recreational areas," he said. "The water quality is certainly being degraded by the large population of geese."

Migratory Canada geese have been protected by federal regulations since 1918, but New York State - working with federal officials - does allow hunting at certain times of the year after migratory birds have left. Resident geese living near New York airports have also been captured and gassed to prevent their colliding with aircraft, and goose eggs have been oiled in some towns to prevent hatching.

Still, there are an estimated 250,000 Canada geese in New York State. Glenn Phillips, an expert with the New York City Audubon Society, says that population is now doubling roughly every five years.

"Stopping the public feeding of Canada geese is necessary but not sufficient to control the population in the region," Phillips said. "We need to have a comprehensive plan." He said the broad lawns and ornamental fountains and ponds of suburban homes and office parks are "heaven" for the birds.

State Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman Maureen Wren said that by expanding the hunting season and making other changes, the state's Canada goose population could be cut to 85,000, but added it would take at least 10 years.

Several towns have rules that ban the feeding of waterfowl on town-owned property. Babylon calls for a fine of $100 to $500, while Huntington's fine ranges from $50 to $1,000. Oyster Bay has a fine of $100 to $500.

The Riverhead Town Board's action bans feeding Canada geese on all town properties - in parks, on beaches and other facilities - but does not apply to private property or state or county facilities.

John Gholson, who sat on a bench overlooking the Peconic River, where sea birds share the water with Canada geese, said the law makes sense because the geese can be pests. "I like to feed them, but you can't get rid of them," he said.