Environmental Assessment: Reducing Waterfowl Damage by Incorporating an Integrated Waterfowl Damage Management Plan throughout the State of Georgia

摘要

Across the United States, wildlife habitat has been substantially changed as human populations expand and land is used for human needs. These human uses and needs often compete with wildlife thereby increasing the potential for conflicting human/wildlife interactions. In addition, segments of the public desire protection for all wildlife; this protection can create localized conflicts between human and wildlife activities. The Animal Damage Control Programmatic Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) summarizes the relationship in American culture of wildlife values and wildlife damage in this way (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1997): 'Wildlife has either positive or negative values, depending on varying human perspectives and circumstances. Wildlife is generally regarded as providing economic, recreational andaesthetic benefits and the mere knowledge that wildlife exists is a positive benefit to many people. However, the activities of some wildlife may result in economic losses to agriculture and damage to property. Sensitivity to varying perspectives and value is required to manage the balance between human and wildlife needs. In addressing conflicts, wildlife managers must consider not only the needs of those directly affected by wildlife damage but a range of environmental, sociocultural and economic considerations as well.' Wildlife damage management is the science of reducing damage or other problems caused by wildlife and is recognized as an integral part of wildlife management (The Wildlife Society 1992). Wildlife Services (WS) uses an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management (IWDM) approach, known as Integrated Pest Management (WS Directive 2.105), in which a combination of methods may be used or recommended to reduce wildlife damage. IWDM is described in Chapter 1:1-7 of USDA (1997). These methods may include alteration of cultural practices and habitat and behavioral modification to prevent or reduce damage. The reduction of wildlife damage may require that the local populations of offending animal(s) be reduced through lethal means. This environmental assessment (EA) evaluates ways by which this responsibility can be conducted to resolve damage, health risk, and the conflicts associated with Canada geese (Branta canadeniss), lesser snow geese (Anser caerulescens caerulescens), mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), mute swans (Cygnus olor) and domestic or feral waterfowl in Georgia.