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City Commission to Receive Update on Gopher and Squirrel Abatement

Published on Monday, August 31, 2020 | 9:40 am
 

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services will hear a report on squirrel and gopher abatement at its meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to a city staff report, the overpopulation of ground squirrels and gophers in areas like the Brookside Golf Course and the Hahamongna can become problematic if left unchecked.

“The overpopulation of these pests can pose a public health concern due to the diseases they may carry,” city staff wrote in a report included in the agenda. “Some of the diseases that could be transmitted to humans include typhus and bubonic plague. Additionally the overpopulation of these pests can damage infrastructure, habitat and maintenance equipment.”

According to documents included in the agenda, the city’s parks division has partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture to manage the overpopulation of squirrels and gophers.

So far, the majority of the chemical mitigation efforts at Brookside Park, Hahamongna Watershed / Oak Grove Park,

Defenders Parkway, Eaton Blanche Park and Victory Park are handled by Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture certified applicators.

Pocket gophers and ground squirrels are classified as nongame mammals by the California Department of Fish and Game.

The populations may be controlled at any time by legal means.

Pocket gophers can inflict damage by invading gardens and lawns as well as agricultural crops.

They can damage trees and also gnaw on and damage plastic water lines and lawn irrigation systems.

Their mounds can interfere and damage lawn mowing equipment.

The mounds also provide a starting place for invasive weeds in landscape and agricultural areas.

Pocket gopher burrows can weaken ditch banks and canals. Irrigation water diverted through their tunnels can be carried away and can lead to soil erosion.

Tuesday’s meeting of the Recreation and Parks Commission is accessible to the public. Go to:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83780136311 to watch the webinar, or call (669) 900-6833 and use the webinar ID 837 8013 6311.

 Comments can be sent to shouser@cityofpasadena.net before Tuesday.

On the day of the meeting, public comments of up to 200 words can be sent via: www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/public-comment.

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