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USDA Wildlife Services asks Polk County to keep $18,000 funding to retain local response capacity
Summary
USDA Wildlife Services representatives reported low call volume but urged Polk County to maintain an $18,000 contribution to preserve matching federal/state funds and local response capacity for wildlife conflicts, outreach and potential avian-influenza response.
Representatives from USDA Wildlife Services gave an update to the Polk County Board of Commissioners on July 23 and recommended the county continue funding the local program at $18,000 to preserve matching federal and state resources and local capacity.
Brian Thomas, district supervisor for the Northwest District Wildlife Services, said the program historically responds to animal-human conflicts (mountain lions, coyotes, beaver issues) and provides nonlethal options that can help county departments avoid larger infrastructure costs (for example, installing pond-leveler devices to protect roadways). Thomas said the local office’s full federal/state funding package is roughly $30,000 when fully matched.
Thomas reported the county program received relatively few calls in the most recent year (several coyote incidents and nonlethal beaver work) but urged the county to view the $18,000 contribution as an insurance policy should larger problems arise, including avian influenza in migratory birds. He said losing county participation can make it harder to obtain matching dollars.
Wildlife Services staff described outreach challenges, noting community awareness of the service has declined and recommending a county-fair presence and other public outreach to restore name recognition. The agency asked to coordinate with county extension and county staff on fair staffing and to place contact information on the county website. Thomas and other agency staff said their ability to advertise is limited by federal restrictions, but that participation at community events and being listed on county pages helps residents find services.
The presentation covered specific services the agency can facilitate, including assistance for landowners seeking U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service depredation permits for geese and nonlethal beaver measures at no county cost, and work with local road departments on culvert and pond-leveling problems.
No formal budget vote or change was recorded at the meeting; agency staff and county officials discussed outreach and coordination steps and agreed to follow up about fair staffing and county web listings.
