This bill mandates the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to explore and implement both nonlethal and humane lethal methods for controlling geese populations. The Department of Agriculture is tasked with identifying these methods and proposing a memorandum of understanding with the USDA that outlines the implementation of these methods and the specific circumstances under which they may be applied. Additionally, the bill requires both the Department of Agriculture and the Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) in the Department of Environmental Protection to publish fact sheets on their websites detailing the methods of geese control and the conditions for their use.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that within 90 days of the memorandum's execution, the DFW must consult with the Department of Agriculture regarding the identified methods and determine the appropriate geese control strategies. The Department of Health is also required to inform the relevant agencies of any public health emergencies that necessitate lethal control measures, while emphasizing the use of humane methods whenever possible. Lastly, the DFW is instructed to adopt best management practices aimed at discouraging resident Canada geese populations by promoting habitats that are less conducive to their presence.