Reducing Pigeon Populations In the City Is No Easy Task

EDITORIAL - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - After attending last night's pigeon management program, I realized that I was overly critical of the idea of holding a special meeting to handle the problem. As always, I was disappointed that so few people take an active part in our City government. Attending last night's meeting were one City Commissioner, Tom Laabs; two Downtown Ironwood Development Authority members, Steve Frank and George Goerig; two City staff members, City Manager Scott Erickson and Community Development Director Dan Petersen; two members of the media, Eric Herstedt Sharp from the Daily Globe and myself; and three members of the general public -- all representing the Our Lady of Peace Church.

The relaxed atmosphere of the meeting allowed for the free flow of ideas. Scott Erickson did a good job of leading the small group. He explained what the City planned to do to solve the problem, and he urged those in attendance to offer their suggestions. Obviously everybody at the meeting had done their homework. The small group fully studied the problem and they all had strong arguments for their positions.

The "give and take" dialog that occurred last night was refreshing, and it did lead to some very positive possible solutions to what has become a serious problem in our City -- not just the downtown, but the entire City.

It was apparent that all parties left the meeting with a better understanding of the problem then when they first arrived. It would be naive to assume that simply poisoning the existing flock will result in a long-term solution to the problem. Likewise, it would be wrong to assume that they will simply disappear forever by removing their roosting sites and their food supply. The problem will obviously take several ambitious actions in order to be controlled.

I am glad to see that the City is considering all aspects of the problem, and is not simply looking to kill the birds as a final solution. In order to properly control the pigeon population, the City will have to address issues that have plagued the downtown for years. Aggressive action on serious blight issues will need to be taken. Abandoned, blighted buildings that are open to the elements will need to be addressed. Ledges and perching areas throughout the City will need to be made less attractive to the birds. The abundant food supply will need to be substantially reduced, and this includes ordinances that forbid the feeding of pigeons.

Open dumpsters and lidless garbage cans that are filled to overflowing provide a nearly endless supply of food to pigeons. Pick-up and waste removal policies will need to be adjusted in order to properly reduce the food supply to the birds.

On collection day, many times, dumpsters throughout the City are left un-emptied. Parked cars often block the dumpsters at pick-up time, preventing them from being emptied. Generally, when this happens, the garbage in the dumpster remains there until the following week. Two week's worth of trash then fills a dumpster that is designed to hold only one week's volume. The overflowing dumpster -- full of rotting garbage -- is an open invitation to pigeons, skunks, rats and other pests. It's a ready supply of food.

All dumpsters need to bear signs that remind drivers not to park in front of them. On collection day, if a dumpster is blocked, the waste management company supplying the the service should be required to empty the container on an alternate day. Waiting two weeks between pickups often leads to overfilling problems. A couple of very simple and easy to enforce City ordinances could solve this problem. When a car blocks a dumpster, the garbage collector can easily write down the license plate number of the vehicle blocking the dumpster. A quick call to a towing company can have the vehicle removed. The City can easily impose a fine as well. Signs reading, "WARNING: CARS PARKED IN FRONT OF THIS DUMPSTER MAY BE TOWED AT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S EXPENSE!" could be placed on every dumpster.

Attacking the problem from all angles is the best approach, and I am glad to see that the City is open and willing to address issues that have lead to the current pigeon infiltration.

Jim Albert