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Residents press board on short-term-rental garbage enforcement as CAC expands BearWise outreach
Summary
The Conservation Advisory Council and residents urged stronger enforcement of short-term rental garbage rules and described BearWise outreach efforts; the CAC said it will mail a BearWise checklist to STR owners and run workshops to reduce nuisance bears.
Public commenters and CAC members raised concerns about trash left out by short-term rentals and the resulting habituated-bear problems. A resident told the board that the short-term rental rules require garbage to be secured after pickup but said "there's no enforcement for that at all, and the cans are out 24 7 all over the place." The board acknowledged the concern and noted enforcement and education will be part of ongoing work.
The Conservation Advisory Council reported a BearWise outreach campaign: CAC chair Beth Waterman said the council is mailing a BearWise checklist to short-term rental permittees, tabling at farmers markets, compiling information about bear-proof cans that waste haulers offer, and planning DIY workshops on electric mats and fencing. CAC members noted a 96 percent reduction in DEC nuisance complaints in Woodstock after similar outreach and said they will coordinate with DEC staff on follow-ups.
Board members thanked volunteers and encouraged residents to attend workshops and Eagle Day tabling to learn more; the CAC requested the board continue supporting BearWise education as part of broader waste-management and STR enforcement efforts.
