MINK CREEK - POCATELLO MUNICPAL WATERSHED BEAVER TRAPPING PUBLIC COMMENTS

MINK CREEK - POCATELLO MUNICPAL WATERSHED BEAVER TRAPPING PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Submitted to Idaho Fish and Game :

* Many animals share a dependence on the keystone species the beaver, for the habitat that beaver create. Meadows are disappearing all over the West and a primary factor is the lack of active beaver dams to catch siltation. A great example of this is a the top of the West Fork of Mink Creek in the meadows. Under the top layer of soil it is very easy to find the old sticks left over from old dams. The dams fill up with the nutrient rich soil and grass grows and provides food and habitat for animals. I have filmed quite a few beaver but they are disappearing and so is their activity.

Beavers get killed by predators, auto's, poachers etc. They are slow reproducers but live up to 13 years in the wild and they provide a myriad of environmental services for the taxpayers for free. I advocate the closing of this area to trapping for the next two years to see if the population can rebound. It is vital for all of the other animals in the area.

I think the Fish and Game should also look into requiring a special beaver stamp for those who plan on trapping beavers in the areas that are open to beaver trapping to pay the taxpayers back for the lost environmental services and to provide monies for the study and reintroduction of animals deemed nuisance to suitable habitat to help restore the tax payers fisheries and to create fresh water riparian habitat which is the most endangered and important habitat to all life in Idaho and the entire world.

Also records should be kept of all beaver mortality whether it was a poach, or a depredation permit issued for the take of this keystone species.

*Mary Shabbot

>> Please take a second and send comments about the closing of beaver trapping in the Mink Creek drainage. Comments should be sent to: zack.lockyer@idfg.idaho.gov or call 208-232-4703, the comment period ends December 12