Beaver control

Mike Sullivan reported Wednesday on his progress on what can be done to control the beaver infestation along the Stop River by Stagecoach and Bayberry Roads, as follows –

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Update on beavers: Making progress with Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Norfolk County Mosquito Control and Barry Mandel (licensed emergency trapper). Will know more tomorrow or Friday after site visit by Carolyn Haviland, Water Management Specialist, from Norfolk County Mosquito Control and Leslee Willets, Conservation Commission Agent.. Will Check with Bill Domey to see if he’ll issue 10 day emergency permit. Mandel’s fee is $500 set up and $150/trapped beaver. Need to coordinate breeching of dam and trapping to make most use of ten day emergency permi; otherwise have to file with Mass Fish and Wildlife for and additonal 30 day emergency permit, which may require preparation of a beaver management plan. Whoever said “nothing’s ever easy” must have been talking about government regulations. Approximate cost $2,300. Will follow up tomorrow when more info available.  Mike

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I looked over the situation Wednesday morning, and the beavers seem to have chosen about the worst possible place to live along the Stop River, as in other areas the river banks are steeper, and any flooding would not effect homeowners as much.  That may be why the beavers chose that spot, because their dam creates a wide flooded area.

I recall that I had heard of diverter pipes put through beaver dams as a way of draining the water.  Perhaps that too can be explored as a possible solution.  I would think the beavers would figure that one out, but I know I saw that as a suggested solution when I was looking into this issue once before.