Two young deer pause for a snack on Lawrence Street in December 2017. The Port Townsend City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance Monday that added feeding wildlife to the city’s nuisance code. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News file)

Two young deer pause for a snack on Lawrence Street in December 2017. The Port Townsend City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance Monday that added feeding wildlife to the city’s nuisance code. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News file)

Port Townsend grapples with discouraging feeding of wildlife

Deer, ducks and other animals included in ordinance

PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend City Council is attempting to find a balance between backyard bird feeding and discouraging the growth of the wildlife population.

Council members voted 5-1 Monday night on the first reading of an amendment to the city’s nuisance code that aims to discourage residents from feeding wild geese, ducks, gulls, deer and other wildlife.

Nuisance code

City Attorney Heidi Greenwood said the action under the nuisance code would be enforceable through a code compliance officer and would not rise to the level of needing a police officer.

“We always strive for education first, and we wanted to continue that particular process, striving for education and helping people,” Greenwood told council members.

The nuisance code would “allow for a little bit of discretion and a little bit of a kinder, gentler enforcement action,” she said.

Council member Bob Gray cast the dissenting vote, saying he thought the ordinance should specifically address deer and not include birds.

“The first step is to deal with the feeding of the deer,” Gray said. “I thought we would see just an ordinance on ‘don’t feed the deer.’ ”

Council member David Faber said the ordinance came about specifically due to reports of residents feeding both deer and ducks.

“There were a ton of ducks in one person’s yard, causing all kinds of trouble in a neighborhood,” he said. “It’s definitely an issue that goes beyond deer.”

Safety, sanitation issue

The agenda bill specifies deer darting in front of cars and bicycles and causing wrecks, and flocks of birds leaving droppings on properties.

“Arguably, feeding wildlife is already a part of the nuisance code, but this ordinance will make that explicit and give the code enforcement officer specific authority to request compliance,” it said.

Mayor Deborah Stinson said retired City Manager David Timmons had attempted to contact the state Department of Fish & Wildlife for possible measures of control, “but there’s only so much we can do,” she said.

The city received suggestions from residents to sterilize or shoot the deer to reduce their population, but Stinson said Fish & Wildlife representatives warned them of a “boomerang effect” that could eventually result in a larger population.

Appeal process

Greenwood said there would be an appeal process with every potential enforcement provision. Eventually, a violator could be fined up to $250 a day or face criminal charges, but she said it’s unlikely to reach that level.

“We have lots of people who have bird feeders in town,” Greenwood said. “Those are very innocent and fun, and we don’t want to cut that off.”

The ordinance would need to return to a future council meeting for final approval before it goes into effect.

________

Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Jefferson County is eying short-term rental regulations

Feedback to be presented to Planning Commission

Clallam PUD seeking faster solution for West End outages

County commissioners, coalition support idea of expanded right of way

From left to right, Sean Coleman, Colleen Robinson, Brown Maloney and Todd Ortloff display the awards they earned Friday during the annual gala of the Clallam County Economic Development Council at Field Arts & Events Hall in Port Angeles (Lorie Fazio/Clallam County EDC)
Coleman named Olympic Leader of the Year at EDC gala

Habitat for Humanity, Radio Pacific also win awards during event

Historic bell missing from Camp Parsons

Property crime up in Brinnon area, director says

Casey and Karen Proud, both of Sequim, look at a selection of St. Patrick’s Day hats and other souvenirs for participating in Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle & Pub Crawl in downtown Port Angeles. The event, a benefit for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation, allowed crawlers to receive six tasting tokens for libations at participating bars and restaurants in the downtown area with a drawing for additional prizes. Numerous downtown businesses also offered sale discounts for purchases during the crawl. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Winter sports benefit in Port Angeles

Casey and Karen Proud, both of Sequim, look at a selection of… Continue reading

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, right, discusses emergency services on Thursday during a roundtable session with emergency managers from across the region, including Clallam County Sheriff Brian King, left, and Clallam County Administrator Todd Mielke in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Clallam seeks additional funds for emergency operations center

Administrator says $10 million still needed for proposed project

More than 100 educators appeared at Thursday’s Port Angeles School District board meeting to show their support for paraeducators, who are seeking a 3.7 percent pay raise and have been working without a contract since Aug. 31. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Paraeducators fill school board meeting

Labor group asking for same raise teachers received

Committee forms to support Quilcene school levy

Lack of communication cited for failed vote

Herb Beck Marina improvements in the works

New concrete boat launch among the plans

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Village protection, town hall set this week

Meetings across Clallam and Jefferson counties

Coroner’s probe reveals man was rape suspect believed long dead

A coroner’s investigation into the death of a man… Continue reading

Clallam PUD seeks applicants for vacant seat

The commissioners of Clallam County Public Utility District are accepting… Continue reading