We anticipate additional discussion on a proposed Ordinance at the City Council meeting on March 7, 2023.

Community members have raised concerns regarding the feeding of wildlife including sea gulls, ravens, and crows. Human feeding and interference in the natural ecosystem is damaging to that ecosystem and is creating other peripheral nuisance behaviors to open space users and residents. Ravens in particular prey upon endangered, threatened, and sensitive species. Their presence tends to push out other birds of prey which impacts the health of land and marine environments, and often negatively impacts conservation and recovery of endangered or threatened species like the Snowy Plover.

Did you know that California Fish and Game Code specifies that feeding of any game or non-game bird or mammal is considered harassment of those animals? In this context, “harass” is defined as “an intentional act which disrupts an animal’s normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering” (Section 251.1 of the CA Fish and Game Code).

The City Council has asked staff to complete research on this subject and evaluate the merits of drafting a local ordinance. We anticipate additional discussion on a proposed Ordinance at the City Council meeting on March 7, 2023.

State law prohibits harassment of wildlife, and regardless of a local ordinance we ask that you do your part and avoid feeding any wildlife including, ravens, crows, pigeons, sea gulls, rodents, and racoons, on private or public property. If residents wish to provide seed or nectar to wild birds we ask that those activities be via feeders that are suspended at least five-feet off the ground and be of a type that prevents the feeding of other wild animals (including rodents).

Recordatorio: Por favor, no alimente a los animales salvajes

Los miembros de la comunidad han expresado su preocupación con respecto a la alimentación de la vida silvestre, incluidas las gaviotas y los cuervos. La alimentación humana y la interferencia en el ecosistema natural es perjudicial para ese ecosistema y está creando otros comportamientos molestos periféricos para abrir el ritmo delos usuarios y residentes. Los cuervos en particular se alimentan de especies en peligro de extinción, amenazadas y sensibles. Su presencia tiende a expulsar a otras aves rapaces, lo que afecta la salud de los ambientes terrestres y marinos, y a menudo afecta negativamente la conservación y recuperación de especies en peligro o amenazadas como el chorlito nevado

¿Sabía que el Código de Pesca y Caza de California especifica que la alimentación de cualquier ave o mamífero de caza o no caza se considera acoso de esos animales? En este contexto, “acoso” se define como “un acto intencional que interrumpe los patrones normales de comportamiento de un animal, que incluye, pero no se limita a, criar, alimentar o refugiar” (Sección 251.1 del Código de Pesca y Caza de California).

El Concejo Municipal ha pedido al personal que complete la investigación sobre este tema y evalúe los méritos de redactar una ordenanza local.

Anticipamos una discusión adicional sobre una Ordenanza propuesta en la reunión del Concejo Municipal el 7 de marzo de 2023. La ley estatal prohíbe el acoso a la vida silvestre, e independientemente de una ordenanza local, le pedimos que haga su parte y evite alimentar a cualquier vida silvestre, incluidos cuervos, palomas, gaviotas, roedores y mapaches, en propiedad privada o pública. Si los residentes desean proporcionar semillas o néctar a las aves silvestres, pedimos que esas actividades sean a través de comederos que estén suspendidos al menos a cinco pies del suelo y sean de un tipo que impida la alimentación de otros animales salvajes (incluidos los roedores).

City Council of Half Moon Bay Meets ~ 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00pm

HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links

 

HMB City Calendar

The New Now ~ Virtual Remote Public Agency Meetings

Watch streaming, or the Pacifica Coast TV video, that we will post. Stay tuned!

The meeting will be held at the Adcock Community Center for any members of the public who wish to speak in person, though we do encourage all members to participate remotely.

The meeting will be:

• streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
• the City’s website online (via Granicus)
• and on Facebook Live
  • one in English (City of Half Moon Bay FB Page)
  • one in Spanish (City of Half Moon Bay Recreation FB Page)
• Recorded by Pacific Coast TV (PCTV)

Members or the public are welcome to submit comments (in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit) via email

to jblair@hmbcity.com prior to or during the meeting, via Facebook live during the meeting, and via two phone lines during the meeting – (650) 477-4963 (English) and (650) 445-3090 (Spanish).

The City Clerk will read all comments into the record.

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