The city’s application to euthanize 150 Canada geese from City Beach was denied by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the legal authority. Killing entire families of geese who feed and rest (and yes, poop) on the city’s lush green lawn was horrific.

But USFWS will allow 200 geese to be captured and relocated like last year. It’s only pouring good money after bad. Of the 100 banded adults and 44 young relocated last June, 65 returned one month later — banded adults with young. I counted and photographed them during our First Presbyterian annual church service at the beach. Unless hazed by dogs, or deterred by smarter devices than fake coyotes, geese will return to where they were born.

And why does the city continue to terrorize migratory geese families by paying the most despicable agency, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, thousands of dollars to do their dirty work? Because neither Parks & Rec director Kim Woodruff nor Jennifer Stapleton, city administrator, understand what they are doing. Kim told the public 5-10 percent would return. Wrong. They call the geese “resident” and “transient.” Huh? They are all migratory birds who nest elsewhere.

Perhaps wildlife are in the way of the proposed City Beach Master Plan. Parks & Rec could create an integrated management plan for geese. Allowing dogs on leash would make a huge difference. Last year’s operation was filmed. Woodruff and chairperson Boyd may have laughed and joked, but I wanted to puke with what I witnessed. We need more humane, creative people working on this.

The mayor and council could listen to Idaho Fish & Game regional director, Chip Corsi, when he tells them he doesn’t like their plan and “it will not fix the problem.” Or watch our video and then decide if it’s on the wrong track. We’re less than a month away from another unnecessary tragedy.

JANE FRITZ

Sandpoint