HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-23 Public Comment - N. Ostlie - Bear Smart Community actions neededFrom:Nancy Ostlie
To:Agenda
Cc:Dorothy Filson; Clint Nagel
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bear Smart Community actions needed
Date:Tuesday, October 10, 2023 11:30:01 AM
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Dear Commissioners and staff,
I would like to request that the City of Bozeman place on an upcoming agenda the topic ofrenewed efforts to prevent black bear deaths in the city, in conjunction with Gallatin County,
Fish Wildlife and Parks, supporting NGOs and the two local trash hauling companies.
Concerned citizens are interested in moving Bozeman, Big Sky and Gallatin County in generaltowards a goal called a Bear Smart Community, outlined in a Manual published by the
Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. (See link below.)
We would like to speak at the October 17 Commission meeting to introduce our proposal.
Here is an excerpt from my previous communication of Oct. 9, 2023, with Terry Cunningham,for more background:
Dear Terry,
Dorothy Filson and I are moving ahead with efforts to implement some measures at the
County level to reduce black bear deaths from human-bear conflicts. I hope you have had achance to review some of the actions recommended in the IGBC Bear Smart Community
Framework described here:https://igbconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/230124-IGBC-BS-framework.pdf
We have submitted a FOIA request to Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Region 3 Bear
Specialist has said he will provide the data on exactly where bear conflicts have beenoccurring within a week or so. Once we have the data, we will make a map that can be used
as a "Threat Assessment" per the IGBC framework. We then can make a plan to get bear-resistant trash containers to the residents who need them. We are aware of prior efforts by
local NGOs to purchase 100 bear resistant containers and are coordinating with those groups.
What I want to know is how the City would prefer we move forward. Ordinances such as theyhave in Missoula may be appropriate. See https://missoulabears.org/bear-smart-missoula/
From discussions with Nick Ross and others, I understand the limitations on city funding for
bear-resistant containers. What can be done to get them into circulation? How can we help?
One concern I have is that with city residents having the option to use city trash services orprivate haulers (Republic or L&L Site Services), we could have three times the current level of
truck traffic in town, an outcome we should avoid. The private haulers provide bear-resistantcontainers for an additional service fee, so people can lease them rather than purchasing.
(Republic charges about $280 per quarter; L&L charges about $80 per quarter.)
We will be pursuing action at the County level (to include Big Sky) but our next step is tounderstand from the City of Bozeman how they can be partners in this effort.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ostlie
406-539-5559nancyostlie@gmail.com