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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 Public Agency I PUBLIC AGENCY ITEM DATE SUBMITTED BY t d ue(t, AC IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME SOUTHWEST REGION C.L."Butch" Otter/Governor 3101 South Powerline Road Virgil Moore/Director Nampa,Idaho 83686 December 21, 2015 Jarom Wagoner Senior Planner Planning and Zoning Dept. City of Caldwell 411 Blaine St Caldwell, Idaho 83606 jwagonerAci.Caldwell.id.us RE: SUP-15-16 Dog Park Special Use Dear Mr. Wagoner, The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (Department) has reviewed the City of Caldwell's transmittal and request for comments on the proposed dog park. The application proposes a public dog park, including fencing, on 4.43 acres adjacent to the Boise River and generally located in Sections 16 and 21, T4N, R2W, Boise Meridian. The purpose of these comments is to assist the decision-making authority by providing technical information addressing potential effects to fish,wildlife, and habitats and how any adverse effects might be mitigated. It is not the purpose of the Department to support or oppose this proposal. Resident species of fish and wildlife are property of all Idaho citizens, and the Department and the Idaho Fish and Game Commission are expressly charged with statutory responsibility to preserve, protect,perpetuate and manage all fish and wildlife in Idaho (Idaho Code36-103(a)). In fulfillment of our statutory charge and direction as provided by the Idaho Legislature, we offer the following general and specific comments. The proposed dog park is immediately adjacent to the Boise River and associated habitats, including cottonwood forests. These habitats are known to support mule deer. The Department understands the need for fencing to keep dogs confined to the park. However, we are concerned that some fence types could pose a hazard to deer attempting to cross over the fence or provide a barrier to young deer that could be separated from their mothers. When they are present, dogs and their owners will likely deter deer from entering the park. However, deer are likely to enter the park at night or early morning when it is not being used. Department staff have determined the preferred approach in this instance is to allow deer movement over the fence rather than to try and prevent deer from entering the park altogether. This Keeping Idaho's Wildlife Heritage Equal Opportunity Employer•208-465-8465•Fax:208-465-8467•Idaho Relay(TDD)Service:1-800-377-3529•http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ (vf is largely based on the difficulty in keeping deer out of places they want to be combined with the problem created when they get in and then cannot get out. The cost of constructing and maintaining deer-proof fencing is also expensive. The Department recommends the following, assuming chain link fencing will be used: • Chain link fence should be as short as practical and no more than four feet in height, preferably less. This will allow deer to jump the fence with reduced risk of injury or entrapment. • Chain link fence generally includes a horizontal bar running between posts and across the top of the chain link. Chain link should not extend above this bar. Deer can get caught on it and injured or trapped. • Posts should have rounded tops with no points or protrusions that could snag deer as they jump the fence. Thank you. Please contact Rick Ward in the Southwest Region office for questions or for recommendations regarding different fencing materials or design. He can be reached at(208)475- 2763 or rick.ward@idfg.idaho.gov. Sincerely, Scott Reinecker Southwest Regional Supervisor SR/rw ecc: Kiefer/HQ R3 staff cc: Gold file Keeping Idaho's Wildlife Heritage Equal Opportunity Employer•208-465-X465•Far:2118-465-8467.Idaho Relay(TDD)Service: 1-800-377-3529•http::fishandgame.idaho.goc 49 l '