STONE HARBOR – At the Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting April 21, Business Administrator Robert Smith updated the governing body on the latest developments in what has become a controversial predator control program at the Point.
At issue is the handling of captured foxes, who prey on the eggs of nesting birds.
Throughout summer 2019, the use of snare traps for predator control was an intensely debated issue in the borough. Expressing a need to maintain strong relationships with federal and state wildlife officials, the borough stopped short of calling for an end to the use of the traps, but in a tie vote, broken by the mayor, the borough asked for the intervention of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd), with some on council hoping he can broker a deal that allows relocation of captured predators.
Smith reported that the congressman’s office acknowledged receipt of the borough’s request for his help. Van Drew’s staff said he was in the process of setting up a meeting of interested parties.
