Snare-trap Debate Continues

STONE HARBOR – Stone Harbor Council member Charles Krafczek expressed shock that the council had not been made aware of the use of snare traps for foxes as part of the state and federal predator control program at Stone Harbor Point May 7. 
Since then, council discussed the issue at each workshop. Krafczek crafted a resolution which would have put the governing body on record as seeking alternative measures to protect nesting birds from predators.
The resolution failed to gain sufficient support and was withdrawn in favor of a proposal by Council member Raymond Parzych to have representatives from federal and state Fish and Wildlife departments attend a council work session for a public presentation of their predator control program, the reasons for making use of the snare traps, and what, if any, alternatives exist for controlling the predator population.
On June 18, Business Administrator Jill Gougher informed council that New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, a division within the state Department of Environmental Protection, declined to appear at the first work session in July.
Gougher said the acting director called her and indicated that state Fish and Wildlife would not appear at the public meeting. He did offer, she said, to respond to questions submitted in writing.
Gougher added that the state representatives would be willing to meet with three council members privately for a discussion of the division’s program at the Point.
The limit of three council members in a private meeting is set in order to comply with state sunshine laws. When a majority of council members (four or more) meet on municipal business, open access meeting regulations apply.
Gougher said state officials feel they have already responded to questions from Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour and others in Stone Harbor concerning their methods of predator control. Davies-Dunhour has said in two separate meetings that state officials told her there is no practice alternative to the use of snare traps.
Council appeared split between those who want to press the state to find a more “humane process” at the Point. Among those who are advocating for a strong approach to the federal and state agencies on the issue are Davies-Dunhour and Krafczek, both of whom expressed disappointment that Krafczek’s resolution did not pass.
Others on council seemed reluctant to allow the issue, regardless of their personal feelings about the use of the traps, to interfere with the relationship the borough has with the agencies.
Council President Joselyn Rich spoke at the June 18 meeting, concerning the progress she feels the borough has made in its relationship with the agencies. “They do a lot for Stone Harbor in so many ways,” she said.
She added she is reluctant “to risk the progress we have made since 2012 with these agencies.”
Newly appointed Council member Frank Dallahan pointed to a need for data on the program. “How many animals have been trapped?” he asked. “The language can make it sound like a wholesale slaughter, but we don’t know,” he added.
Davies-Dunhour asked Gougher to get back with the state representatives and promise a work session in which she would not allow public comment.
“They can talk with the full council, answer our questions and allow the public to hear what is said,” she argued, “but we will not have open public comment.”
She instructed Gougher to see if they would reconsider their response. “We will be civil,” she said.
Meanwhile, Parzych asked that Gougher go forward and set up the private meeting for three members of council with the state representative, asking specifically that he (Parzych) be part of that three-member delegation.
There was no confirmation during the discussion on whether or not council would move ahead with plans to meet with federal Fish and Wildlife officials at the July 2 work session. The federal official agreed to the meeting before anyone knew state representatives would decline the request.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.