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Montreat commissioners review 450-response bear survey; residents urge stricter sanitation enforcement
Summary
The board reviewed a 64-page bear-survey report with 450 resident responses and heard public calls for tougher sanitation enforcement and community education; staff said slides and the full report are posted online and the town will meet with NCWRC about management options.
The Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners on Sept. 12 reviewed the results of a 64-page bear survey that drew 450 responses and discussed next steps for bear management and sanitation enforcement.
Commissioner Tom Widmer, who presented the survey and slides, said the material will be posted on the town's website and used to prepare for meetings with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Commissioner Kitty Fouche said she had gathered additional information at a Black Mountain meeting to inform Montreat's approach.
Members of the public urged more enforcement and community action. Arrington Cox, chair of Landcare and the town's BearWise liaison, said, "it was everyone's responsibility to keep the community safe." Jake Quinn added, "the problem is not the bears but rather irresponsible people," urging residents to limit attractants. Resident Rusty Douglas said the town should more seriously enforce sanitation fines to break the cycle of repeated bear incidents.
Town Manager Savannah Parrish told the board that town staff recently stopped sanitation service for residents owing multiple unpaid sanitation fines, a step the manager said is already being used to address chronic noncompliance. Martha Campbell suggested installing national-park-style signs to raise awareness about not leaving food or garbage accessible to wildlife.
No formal policy or ordinance change was adopted at the Sept. 12 meeting; commissioners discussed using the survey results in forthcoming discussions with NCWRC. The full survey and presentation slides are available on the Town of Montreat's YouTube channel and on the town website.
