Title
Discussion of and Possible Action on the Draft Wildlife Feeding Ordinance and Review of Community Feedback
Recommended Action
A
I move that Council direct the County Manager to make the following changes to the draft Wildlife Feeding Ordinance:
1. (changes as directed by Council)
2.
3. etc
and bring it back to Council for introduction in 2024, and move ahead with wildlife education in a manner similar to the outline shown in attachment C.
OR
B
I move that Council direct the County Manager to make no changes to the draft Wildlife Feeding Ordinance and bring it back to Council for introduction in 2024 and move ahead with wildlife education in a manner similar to the outline shown in attachment C.
OR
C
I move that Council direct the County Manager to move ahead with wildlife education in a manner similar to the outline shown in attachment C and take no further action at this time on the draft Wildlife Feeding Ordinance.
Body
This item, originally, was brought to Council as a request to discuss the problem of community members feeding deer and other wildlife. There was a presentation by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish that described the problems associated with feeding wildlife and the level of effort that the Department exerted to handle citizen complaints and issues. At that time, Council expressed a preference for public education rather than a regulatory ordinance. Since that time, a regulatory ordinance has been drafted (see attachment B) and two Town Halls have been held and citizen input has been solicited. Attachment A includes the public comment received on the draft ordinance. Please note that Attachment A also has comments addressed to the draft ordinance no. 02-306 that revises Chapter 6 Animal Ordinance. A public hearing is being held on 12/12/23 for this ordinance. Finally, a preliminary draft wildlife education plan for 2024 is shown in Attachment C.
This item will provide Council and public an oppor...
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