Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses deer management and chronic wasting disease concerns; staff to gather model plans and options
Summary
Councilors discussed developing a deer-management plan in light of chronic wasting disease concerns; staff described potential costs for population assessments and operational challenges including carcass processing and refrigeration if the city pursues culling or meat donation.
Whitefish councilors on Jan. 21 held an extended discussion about deer management, chronic wasting disease (CWD) concerns and potential responses, and asked staff to gather example plans and cost estimates for council review.
Councilors and staff said local and regional jurisdictions are confronting CWD and that responses carry recurring costs. Staff described Libby’s recent experience and said one of the most costly elements is processing and preserving venison for donation, which requires testing, refrigeration and processing capacity. Staff estimated that an external population-assessment consultant could cost in the $10,000–$17,000 range for an initial assessment and that follow-up assessments would likely be needed. The council heard that Libby’s program involved refrigerated transport and processing to supply food banks, and that providing meat to food banks increases logistical costs and testing requirements.
Council members emphasized the need for a plan that clarifies objectives (for example, desired deer density or safety targets), responsibilities, budget implications and disposal/processing logistics. Staff noted that Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and county-level actions will affect city options, and that a countywide approach would be preferable since deer move outside city limits.
Councilors also discussed lower-cost, near-term measures such as targeted communication to discourage residents from feeding deer and to ask neighbors to report attractants; staff said the city’s online reporting tools and police outreach are already used for education and enforcement steps. Several councilors asked staff to compile example adopted plans (from Helena, Roundup and others), provide cost detail and outline options including phased or simpler plan formats for council consideration. No formal action was taken at the meeting.
