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FROM: Millie Greenberg
Costa
DATE: I I May 2004 County
SUBJECT, Referral to the Fish and Wildlife Committee
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATIONS)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RFCOMMENDATION--
Refer a request from the Blackhawk Homeowners' Association for assistance in dealing with the proliferation of wild
turkeys in the rural parts of the County to the Fish and Wildlife Committee.
BACKGROUND:
The Blackhawk Homeowner's Association's Community Services Director, Michael Cousineau, has sent a letter to
Supervisor Greenberg in which he points out that their community, which is in the foothills of Mt. Diablo has had a
series of wild animal problems,including wild pigs,mountain lions,and coyotes. In those cases,the State,through the
Department of Fish and Game, has offered solutions and assistance. The most recent problems have involved wild
turkeys, which are not native to California and have grown tremendously in population; the To-.Nm of Danville, the
City of San Ramon and Mt. Diablo State Park share concern about the damage to landscaping and traffic problems
caused by the wild turkeys.
The Fish and Wildlife Committee is the appropriate group to which to refer this issue. The committee is asked to
determine: how widespread a problem the wild turkeys are; research how other communities deal with the issue;
consult with the California Department of Fish and Game; and make recommendations as to a suitable course of
action. If it does not cause a disruption in the Committee's already scheduled work,the Board requests a status report
in 60 days.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON 11 s 2004 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT None ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: -NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT- ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED '
John Sweeten,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
3
BY UTY
CC: CAO
Sup.Greenberg
John Kopchlk
Michael Cousineau
C/o Slackhawk HOA
4125 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Suite 230
Danville,CA 54506
4125 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 230, Danville, California 94506
Telephone: (925) 736-6440; Fax(925)736-0428
E-mail Address: btckhwkfa'7pacbell.net
Supervisor Millie Greenberg
309 Diablo Road
Danville, Ca. 94526
Board of Directors
Michael Marchi April 15, 2004
President
Re: Wild Turkey's
George L.Triano
I" Vice President
Dear Supervisor Greenberg.
Linda Krallk
Vice President, Blackhawk Homeowners Association is a premier community of approximately two
Community Relations
thousand homes nestled at the foot of Mount Diablo State Park, located in Danville,
Ron Banducci California. Being at the foot of the State park has made our community prone to various
Treasurer wild animal problems such as wild pigs,mountain lions, coyotes,wild turkeys,etc . In
G.Walter Titus most cases, with the exception of wild turkeys, the State, or rather the California
Secretary Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) has offered solutions and/or assistance in
correcting over population.. usually through a depravation permit). .
During our conversations with the CDFG we learned that wild turkeys are not native to
our state. They were brought in originally from Texas by the CDFG for the sole purpose
of hunting. Since then, the turkey population has exploded and spread to areas such as
our residential area,where hunting permits can't be issued,due to the close proximity of
homes and it is also no longer legal to catch and relocate these pesky animals. This
leaves us with no options. In the case of wild pigs,the CDFG has regulations that allow
communities such as ours to obtain depravation permits. When pigs become a problem
we can hire a hunter, who traps them and then dispatches them while still in the cage.
Why is there no similar program for the wild turkeys.
We spoke to the representatives of the Town of Danville,the City of San Ramon and the
Mt. Diablo State Park. We all have concerns with the wild turkey population but have
no legal method of dealing with the issue. In speaking with Mt. Diablo State Park
Management officials, we found that the park is worried about the possible impact that these animals
might have on the indigenous species as the turkey's are not native to this area. We
Mark A.Goldberg understand that Mt. Diablo and other state park biologists are currently working with
CPMO,PCAMV CDFG's biologists studying the animals in a similar habitat in Sonoma County.
Communi y Manager
Pauline Chiew Nolte The wild turkeys cause significant traffic safety problems and landscaping damage. We
Assistant Manager also understand that domestic animals have gotten sick drinking water that turkeys have
Michael R.Cousineau defecated in. We are asking that the state assume some responsibility for the problem.
CCAM9 What we need is something similar to the regulations for pig depravation or relocation.
Community Services Director
It is our hope that you can assist us by applying pressure to the CDFG or propose
legislation that will allow cities,towns and communities like ours,that are experiencing
safety,health and welfare issues as well as destruction of private property to rectify the
MACOM SERV DR1Misc Correspondences\Turkey Regulations.wpd
problem. Perhaps the answer might be just a legal method of re-relocating these animals
to a more appropriate setting where they are indigenous.
On behalf of our 5,000+ residents,we are asking for your Delp now!
`hank you for your prompt response in this matter.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Cousineau, CCAMS
Community Services Director
MACOM SERV DIR1Mise Correspondences\Turkey Regulations.wpd