Section A · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, April 19, 2001
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Tree eatin' critters wreak havoc
Beaver action angers Lawrence residents
By Megan Gragerg and Jill Pittman
Specials to the Kanson
At the McGrew Nature Preserve on the west side of Lawrence, beavers are a dam nuisance.
Several residents in the area, where houses sell for around $200,000, have seen the beavers' destruction and are worried about potential damage to private property.
Jack Reid, who walks the trails often, wants the beavers forced out of the area.
“It’s not that I don’t like beavers,” Reld said. “I love animals — but it’s the destruction they do to the area.”
Reid first noticed the effects of beaver activity in the neighborhood four years ago. At that time, he said, the beavers were
gnawing through trees one to four inches thick. A year later they were taking down trees about 12 inches in diameter.
Lori Kline, whose Normandy Park backyard overlooks the beavers' most recent homestead, has watched their progress. She noted an area along the walkway where the beavers had chopped down 20 to 30 trees, each with a circumference of about a foot.
Fred DeVictor, Director of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, said no one had reported beaver damage to private property, but several residents had complained about possible damage.
In an effort to control the beavers, the city has removed the dams on several occasions.
"We have a trapper going in now, and one went in last year," DeVictor said.
Reid said trapping was the only thing that could be done to get the beavers out of the area.
ceased after the trapper came last year, but only temporarily.
"Three weeks later, I saw the signs of Bad Brad the Mad Beaver," she said, referring to the nickname she and her four children have given the beaver.
But Reid said there were two beaver families in the area, and the size of the teeth marks on the trees indicated a family.
Kline said the beavers were destructive, but she had mixed feelings about whether they should be forced out.
"My feelings will very much change if they destroy my gardens," she said.
Kline is concerned once the trees are gone, the beavers will destroy residents' landscaped vards.
But she also said the beavers were a wonderful learning resource for the children and their presence was instructive.
"The beavers are showing how we don't take care of our eni
ronment because it traps our dehris." Kline said.
Reid, who is concerned townhomes near 15th Street could flood if the dam there breaks, said the city could be doing more.
"Two years ago I would have said, 'they're doing what they could,' "Reid said. "But actively pursuing it now! I don't."
DeVictor said in addition to sending in a trapper again this year, the city would repair damage done to the walkway because of the flooding.
"We have to maintain and be good stewards of the areas under our charge," DeVictor said.
Kline said the ideal solution would be to contain the beavers without further damage to property, but this was impossible.
"That's the whole problem — (beavers) can't be controlled," Kline said. "I think the best solution is to allow it to a certain point, and then remove it, which is what (the city) is doing."
Edited by Joshua Richards
City calculates cost of curbside recycling
Pickup could require monthly fee of $8
By Laurie Harrison Special to the Kansan
Citywide curbside recycling in Lawrence could cost as much as $8 a month per household, city employees have calculated.
Mollie Mangerich, operations supervisor for Lawrence's Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, said if a curbside recycling program was adopted, $8 would be
added to the cost of trash pickup currently provided by the city. City services now provide weekly trash pickup, but only collect tires and old metal salvage, like appliances, at curbside upon request.
A citywide curbside recycling program would collect everyday trash such as steel and aluminum cans, milk jugs and newspaper.
City commissioners have decided against providing curbside recycling in the past because the increase in Lawrence's recycling rate wouldn't be worth the cost of starting a new program, Mangerich said, citing statistics
from two recent city reports on recycling.
Mangerich said Lawrence's current recycling rate was higher than the national average and higher than some communities that have curbside recycling.
By comparison, Winfield has offered curbside recycling since 1991, according to Kevin Neighbors, town recycling superintendent. The recycling program for the town 40 miles southeast of Wichita costs 90 cents a month per household.
Neighbors said the program started after Winfield received
requests from residents for a curbside recycling program. Costs are kept low because Winfield jointly owns and operates the recycling facility with nearby Arkansas City.
In order to start citywide curbside recycling in Lawrence, city officials need to change the city's policy, Mangerich said. Residents often call Mangerich's office requesting a citywide curbside program.
"If they really want the service and are willing to pay for it, I tell people to please call your commissioners," Mangerich said.
Edited by Megan Phelps
Kansan
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
The Kansan is looking for students interning in various fields during the Summer 2001 semester. E-mail editor@kansan.com with a short paragraph describing your internship. Please include information about the duration, location and industry of the internship.
75th Anniversary of the KANSAS UNION
Wednesday, April 18th
12:30 Town Hall Meeting:
Kansas Union Renovation
Thursday, April 19th
1:00 Rededication of the Kansas Union
1:30 75th Celebration: Cake and Punch
75¢ Cokes
AT INFO COUNTER AND KU BOOKSTORE
Friday, April 20th Earth Awareness Day
20-40-50-75% OFF selected items THROUGH SATURDAY
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