Superior Looks For Solutions To Geese Problem

It seems that one problem is preventing the resolution to another in the City of Superior.  For almost a decade, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been trying to reestablish the natural wild rice beds in the St. Louis River; geese have proved to be a problem as they eat the wild rice plants before they have a chance to take hold.  Now, the city is looking at remedial solutions to the problem. That solution would involve a move.

According to an article in the Superior Telegram, the city's Parks and Recreation Commission is "recommending the city grant permission to use city-owned land to help address the problem by rounding up geese to stop predation of the wild rice plants."  Any method of geese remediation would be carefully investigated prior to being carried out.  Matt Steiger - St. Louis River Area of Concern Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources adds: "We don;t take rounding up and lethal removal of geese or any species lightly". Any method would be led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

To date, more than 56,000 pounds of wild rice have been placed in the St. Louis River estuary since the program began.  Officials are hoping to restore 275 acres of wild rice - from below the Fond du Lac Dam to Allouez Bay as "part of the greater effort to delist the St. Louis River Area of Concern".  In total, the project is expected to cost about $1.2 million; that's why it's imperative that nothing hampers the efforts.

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Any geese removal effort would be carried out this summer - more than likely during the month of June.  Experts are looking to target the days when the geese are molting and don't fly.