Grand Haven council adopts deer management plan to protect urban forest, delays $25,000 budget transfer

Grand Haven — The Grand Haven City Council voted Nov. 3 to adopt a deer management resolution aimed at reducing deer overpopulation that council members said is damaging the city’s urban forest.

The resolution, introduced by city staff and recommended by the Sustainability and Energy Commission’s forest-management subcommittee, would allow an administratively authorized annual cull to be carried out under Michigan Department of Natural Resources guidance, with public reporting and transparency measures. The resolution limits removals to either 40 percent of the local herd or 50 individual deer per year — whichever yields the smaller removal total.

"As recommended in your packet, the resolution would administratively allow for an annual cull based on guidance and licensing from the DNR...not to exceed 40% or 50 individuals," said Ashley, a city staff member who introduced the item.

Councilmember McLaughlin, who moved the resolution, said the city now has data that makes action possible: "We have to take care of it...we've spent an awful lot of money on the disease of the trees, and it would be an absolute waste not to complete the cycle," he said.

Assistant Director of Urban Forestry Larry Burns told the council detailed tree-data and expert recommendations informed the proposal, including species counts and treatment priorities. Burns summarized recent technical advice: "The expert...specifically calls for the use of dinotefuran...because it's the only one that will actually kill both elongate scale and hemlock woolly adelgid," and added the treatment cost is about $12.40 per DBH (diameter at breast height).

Council members expressed consistent support for a measured, evidence-based approach. Mayor Bob Maneta said the plan is "restrained, but it's also measured and it's very deliberate," and that the council expects to track progress over time.

Procedural note and related budget item: during the same meeting council members debated a separate motion to insert a $25,000 budget transfer to expand tree-disease treatments. Council discussed sources for the funds and whether the outgoing council should make that change. A motion to add the $25,000 item to the agenda was made, and then a subsequent motion to postpone action passed; the administration was directed to return with a plan identifying a specific funding source before council considers the transfer.

The deer management resolution passed on a recorded roll call with councilmembers voting in favor; recorded affirmative votes were McLaughlin, Lowe, Fritz and Mayor Maneta.

What happens next

Staff said public engagement and reporting requirements are included in the plan and the council will implement the cull under DNR licensing. The council also asked administration to return with a budget plan for any additional tree-disease funding before further appropriations are approved.