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Wrights Lake residents battle growing goose population
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Photo courtesy of Cal Fire AEU
Fire crews mop up after containing the Kingvale Fire Tuesday afternoon.
El Dorado blaze burns grassland Mountain Democrat staff A foothill fire near a residential neighborhood scorched 9.2 acres on Kingvale Road in El Dorado on Tuesday, July 8. Fire crews responded just after noon and in less than an hour had the flames doused thanks to strong coordination that made for a fast and effective response, according to a Cal Fire social media post. Responding agencies were Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit, the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office, Rescue Fire Department and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A surge in Canada geese at Wrights Lake is prompting alarm among cabin owners. Cabin owners say the problem has escalated over the past five years and they are concerned the geese — as many as 70 around the lake at any given time — could damage the ecosystem surrounding the lake. Wrights Lake, just above Kyburz, is a 40-acre basin surrounded by federally managed land and supports about 80 seasonal cabins and dozens of campsites. “The geese come right up to us. They’re not afraid,” said Larry Buck, a fourth-generation cabin owner. “We’ve tried pinwheels, laser lights, everything. Nothing works.” Kevin Ringelman, assistant professor of wildlife ecology at UC Davis who researches waterfowl science, said the impact can be significant ... especially when nature calls. “Canada geese can defecate up to 90 times a day, leaving behind
Photo courtesy of Larry Buck
A rock in Wrights Lake that residents used to love swimming to and jumping off — which they called turtle rock — has a new name thanks to the geese that use it as one of their many potty spots. The now vacant rock has earned the title of “turdle rock.” 3 pounds of feces,” Ringelman said. “That influx of nutrients into the lake can influence things like algae blooms and other harmful aquatic events. There have been instances where public parks and beaches were closed because of water quality concerns stemming from too many geese.” Resident goose populations have grown in many parts of the U.S. where mild weather and open access to water make for ideal
conditions, he added. “This is not an uncommon problem. Most Canada geese in the U.S. were migratory, but over the last century those populations have become resident,” Ringelman explained. “Geese are really hard to get rid of because the only thing they need is water and vegetation.” At Wrights Lake, residents say the consequences are already visible. “By October, the lake is so bad with goose
feces, it’s brown and blackish,” Buck said. Leann Agee, a former president of the Wrights Lake Summer Home Association for 14 years, said the beaches and swimming areas have been affected. “They come onto the beaches and eat all the tall grass. Then they leave massive piles of poop. The rocks we used to swim to are now covered in it,” she said. “We’ve asked the Forest ■ See GEESE, page A5
Check it out! State Parks Library Pass offers adventure for all Shelly Thorene Staff writer
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Feel like taking a trip? Have a library card? The El Dorado County Library can help via the California State Library Parks Pass. Introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom in 2021,
the program is part of California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All initiative, which works to support access to parks in underserved communities. Through this initiative, 5,000 state park passes became available to library card holders for more than 200 participating state parks. The initiative also includes the California State Adventures pass, which provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 select state parks throughout the state and the Golden Bear Pass which provides free vehicle day-use access to many parks for CalWORKs recipients, SSI recipients, Tribal TANF recipients and individuals 62 years or older whose income falls under a certain threshold. Since the beginning of the California State Library Parks Pass program, 33,000 passes have been distributed to more than 1,100 public libraries throughout the state. In 2023, the California State Parks Foundation published data pertaining to the program: 63% surveyed cited cost as the primary barrier to
Mountain Democrat photos by Shelly Thorene
El Dorado County Director of Library Services Bryce Lovell checks out the library’s website where information regarding the California State Library Parks Pass is shared. visiting, 90% said they now plan to visit parks more than seven times a year, nearly 70% reported household incomes below $60,000 and more than 63% identified as Black, Indigenous or people of color. These statistics helped save the program that has benefited thousands. In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed state budget included $6.75 million to continue the California State Library Parks Pass; however, months later, the Legislature
stripped that funding in its joint budget plan. In response, the nonprofit California State Parks Foundation launched a public petition and reached out to key legislative offices with documented evidence of the program’s success. Funding was restored in the final budget package signed June 27 and the program is extended through Dec. 31, 2026. El Dorado County Director of Library Services Bryce Lovell said the park pass “is very popular,” adding, “We make it easy for
people.” He said he is pleased to have more passes for patrons; there are now 500 passes available at El Dorado County libraries. Library card holders can go online or walk in to see if a pass is available at their local branch. They can place a hold on either a pass or a backpack. The backpack contains a pass, binoculars, California Trees and Wildflowers Guide, California Wildlife Guide, Gold Country and Lake Tahoe trail guides, trekking poles
A pass to over 200 participating state parks is available for check out to library card holders at 1,100 libraries in the state of California. The El Dorado County Library has 500 passes for patrons. and carabiner compasspocket microscope-mini flashlight combo. The check out period is three weeks, the same as for other library materials. The pass can also be renewed for an additional three weeks if there are no holds. Failure to return the pass on time suspends the patron’s library account until the pass is returned. Placerville branch Library Circulation Supervisor Krystal Owens said some ■ See PARK PASS, page A5