The Mountlake Terrace City Council authorized the city manager on May 15 to rejoin a multi‑jurisdiction interlocal agreement (ILA) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a four‑year waterfowl management program and approved a 2025 field service agreement for $2,500.

Deputy City Manager Carolyn Hope presented the item and described the partnership’s purpose: USDA biologists monitor waterfowl populations (primarily at Ballinger Park), conduct scientific counts, provide annual reports, conduct community education and, if necessary and after certain thresholds are met, carry out an egg‑addling program to manage local populations. Hope said the ILA has existed since 2002 except for a brief lapse in 2024 and that the city’s cost for the annual field service agreement is $2,500 to be paid from the parks division budget.

Staff noted that geese congregating near water bodies can cause nutrient loading, shoreline damage and public‑health concerns; the city’s park maintenance staff recorded a high single‑sighting count of about 130 waterfowl during recent visual surveys. Hope referenced the Western Washington stormwater management manual, which identifies goose waste as a possible source of nutrients and pathogens that can affect water quality.

Council members asked questions about the program’s scope and effects. Council Member Sonmore asked who would receive public education; staff said community notification and USDA public education would occur if management actions were recommended. Council Member Page asked whether all eggs would be addled when an addling program occurs; staff deferred to USDA scientists for the operational detail. Council Member Murray asked about species specifics raised in public comment; staff responded that they did not observe Aleutian cackling geese on recent counts and noted that the Aleutian cackling goose had been removed from endangered status in February (as reported in public discussion).

After discussion, a motion to enter the 2025 field service agreement and rejoin the ILA carried by voice vote. Council directed staff to proceed; the $2,500 annual fee will be charged to the parks division and no additional appropriation was requested.

The ILA and annual field service agreement will require USDA staff to produce annual reports and coordinate community outreach if any active management is recommended.