7.2 PRSR 10-09-2019
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
7.2
Agenda Section
Action Item
Meeting Date
October 9, 2019
Prepared by
Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description
Deer Feeding Ordinance
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Ron Nierenhausen, Police Chief
Action Requested
Discuss a city-wide ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer.
Recommend, by motion, an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of deer in the City of Elk River.
Background/Discussion
At the September 11, 2019 Work Session, the Commission decided to consider an ordinance prohibiting
deer feeding in Elk River. This past spring, a number of citizens raised concerns about the increasing
number of deer entering their yards and destroying plants as well as the increasing the likelihood of a
deer-vehicle collision.
Four metro-area cities have enacted deer/wildlife feeding restriction ordinances, Coon Rapids,
Bloomington, Blaine and Arden Hills. The DNR advises against feeding deer citing disease and increased
auto accidents. And while the DNR can enact feeding bans for wildlife issues with CWD (Chronic
Wasting Disease), state wildlife officials allow cities and counties to manage their own deer populations.
The challenges to such an ordinance are the infringement on private property rights, the difficulty of
police to properly enforce, the efficient utilization of policing resources, and more than 300 acres of
conservation area intended to foster wildlife habitat.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
City of Arden Hills Ordinance
City of Blaine Ordinance
City of Blaine Feeding Wild Animal Ordinance
Wild Animal Feeding BCO (14-228)
(a) Feeding prohibited. No person shall feed or allow the feeding of wild or feral animals or of small
mammals within the city. Feeding shall mean the provision of any grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, salt
licks, or any other food that could attract wild animals. Living food sources such as trees and other
live vegetation shall not be considered food for wild animals.
(b) Feeding wild birds. Bird feed may be placed in bird feeding devices and structures solely for the
purpose of attracting and feeding wild birds. Bird feeding devices and structures should be placed at
a sufficient height or designed to prevent access by wild animals.
(c) Exception. This provision shall not apply to employees or agents of the city, county, state, and the
federal government or veterinarians who are acting in the course of their official duties or have wild
animals in their custody or under their management.