It’s unfortunate that no one at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) could have directed Ms. Komosky to a real solution for her beaver problem before damage was done. A trapezoidal fence or “Beaver Deceiver” is a well documented, inexpensive solution to protecting culverts. In fact, Ms. Komosky lives about three hours away from several experts that could help: Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife in Dolgeville, Mike Callahan of Beaver Solutions in MA, Sarah Summerville of the Unexpected Wildlife Refuge in NJ—and the inventor of the device, Skip Lisle, is just a few states over in Vermont.

It’s difficult for me to see how, with one beaver shot and another one wounded, Ms. Komosky is the victim in this story when she has failed to identify any real solutions. These beavers were not being sly, since beavers are nocturnal they were doing exactly what beavers do at exactly the time when beavers do it. Trapping or shooting will only solve the problems until new beavers move in. A better option is to allow these beavers to remain, safely control the flooding with intelligent tools and rely on their territorial nature to keep others away.

For more information, visit grandcanyontrust.org/documents/ut_workingBeaver2010.pdf or www.beaversolutions.com/self_help_dvd.asp

Heidi Perryman, Ph.D., President

Worth A Dam

Martinez, CA