Fenton’s City Council approved a program to be implemented that will help control the population of Mute Swans and Canada Geese on The Mill Pond.

Director of Public Works Dan Czarnecki approached Fenton’s City Council on Monday night seeking their approval to allow for the proper destruction of egg nesting for Mute Swans and Canada Geese. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a program where eggs are taken from the nests of Canada Geese so that the eggs will not hatch and continue to overpopulate the area. Czarnecki told WHMI that Canada Geese have been causing issues such as being aggressive towards citizens and creating a dirtier downtown area.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also provides a similar program to control the population of Mute Swans, which are not considered native to Michigan. City Council approved the swan program for five years while the geese program must be re-approved on a yearly basis. The money for the project will be coming from the General Fund. Czarnecki said he expects the cost to dispose of the geese eggs to be around $500 and stated it will be free of cost to dispose of the swan eggs.

Czarnecki also stated he expects a mixed reaction from the public regarding the program. While he thinks many will be pleased with a cleaner and safer downtown area, he also feels there will be others who will miss the extra animal life around the downtown area. (DF)