Easy garbage pickins drawing black bears

Visits to neighborhoods by marauding bears would gradually taper off if the bears were no longer getting “food rewards” in the form of mishandled garbage, according to Maria Davidson of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Davidson addressed the St. Mary Parish Council Wednesday on the ongoing bear problem, especially in the Patterson area.
She said in her 20 years with LDWF, “Every tool in my toolbox has been used,” to manage the black bear which is currently listed on the federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.
Since 2009, Davidson said, LDWF has invested more than $600,000 in bear management in St. Mary Parish alone.
“I don’t have that kind of agreement with any other parish in the state,” she said.
The funds paid the salary of bear conflict officer Catherine Siracusa as well as the initial cost to provide bear-proof garbage cans.
In an effort to bear-proof certain areas in cooperation with parish government, Davidson said, “I think that we’ve learned a lot…we realize that the garbage management company is as important a partner as almost anybody else.”
She added that when the new trash hauler, Pelican Waste & Debris, takes over the parish service contract in November, “I’m real hopeful that for the first time in several years, we might be able to put a lockdown in those areas that it needs to occur...I think we’re going to see a significant change.” A new type of bear proof can is set to be distributed in problem areas when Pelican takes over.
She said in the past 20 days three bears being tracked in the Patterson area are large, male bears over 350 pounds. “They’re not garbage bears,” she said. They are bears that normally keep to the woods with natural food sources. She blamed the summer drought for diminishing natural foods sources and “unfettered access to garbage.”
Despite all that, “We have not given up,” she said, but added, “We have done absolutely everything we can do...The residents have not.”
The parish, she said, has to stress to residents the importance of using the bear-proof garbage cans and hold them accountable if they don’t.
Councilman Steve Bierhorst of Patterson added that trash should be contained in plastic bags before being put in the garbage cans, especially loose food scraps.
Neighborhood bear conflicts can be reported by calling 1-800-442-2511, 24 hours a day.
In other discussions, the council heard from Bayou Vista resident Deborah Louviere who complained about recent crimes in the area.
Louviere said she feels Bayou Vista residents are not being kept informed of the crimes that have ranged from carjackings and shootings to juveniles terrorizing residents with pellet guns.
“We’re not hearing enough from the sheriff’s department,” she said. “We’re sick of the violence and we want to take back our community.” She added that she feels law enforcement is keeping the crimes “hush, hush.”
Councilmen Glen Hidalgo of Bayou Vista as well as Bierhorst suggested that Louviere get together with other residents and notify the sheriff’s office that they want to start up a neighborhood watch program.
A Take Back the Night on crime is in the works, he said.
Amelia resident Ronald Barbier, who complained about an ongoing problem with noisy neighbors in a mobile home park, was told that the council’s legal advisor is working on a noise ordinance.
In other business the council:
—Passed a proclamation declaring Oct. 4-19 as 4-H Week after hearing from several 4-Hers.
—Adopted ordinances on two zoning map amendments at 305 Southwest Boulevard, Bayou Vista, from an existing neighborhood zone to neighborhood commercial for an archery pro shop by Greg Liner, and at 1732 La. 83, Ashton from single family residential to existing neighborhood for location of a mobile home by Joy Rodriguez; amendments to the fee schedules and forms on construction and building codes; and declaration of certain surplus property and sale of same.
—Passed resolutions on a change order reducing the cost by $89,212.50 and notice of substantial completion by Patriot Construction & Equipment on the Charenton Canal Industrial Park project; a certificate of partial substantial completion on the courthouse flood proofing project; a cooperative endeavor agreement with South Central Planning and Development Commission on the implementation of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code; a request to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Division of Aviation for funding to complete the airport improvements at Harry P. Williams Airport; contracts for administrative and engineering services for the 2016-2017 Community Development Block Grant Program; a transaction service agreement with Orion Healthcare Technology in regard to internet access with AccuCare; and a certificate of substantial completion on the metal building rehabilitation project at the Bayou Vista parish barn.
—Granted a variance to Lawrence Charles waiving the 300-foot requirement from a church, school, synagogue or playground to sell alcoholic beverages at 1543 Cypremort Road.
—Appointed James S. Butcher and Joseph Foret to the Fire District 3 board; Arvin Alleman to Wax Lake East Drainage District; Dickey Arnold to Fire Protection District 1 and Sewer District 1.