08/11/2026
On Wednesday August 12th, Mountain View County Council will be debating Policy 4032 - Beaver Control. Here is the link to the draft policy: https://mountainviewcounty.civicweb.net/document/61847/Policy%204032%20Beaver%20Control.pdf?handle=77B0223118A04EDFAC850D105DA85426
I am quite concerned about this policy. We need to all email/phone our councilors to let them know we do not support this policy as presented.
Beavers are an important animal on our landscape that create wetlands. The Nitchi valley recently lost a wetland to “beaver control”, so this is quite impactful. Besides all the positives around biodiversity, that wetland would have been a potential fire break.
A few of my concerns:
1. The policy is called “Beaver Control”. The name of the policy elicits images of a fight – of winning a battle against beavers. The policy should be renamed “Living with beavers” or some other positive title.
2. The policy does not include the use of scientific research or scientific consultation. I understand there is a cost, but we cannot ignore the long-term implications of drying out the land and increasing the risk of wildfire. There are training programs in North America and other expertise to help guide solutions to beaver coexistence.
3. The policy states that no communication is required. That means the county can “deal” with bevers however it wants and does not have to tell anyone. Landowners should be notified of this type of work and be allowed to comment on other solutions to maintaining infrastructure. We need to figure this out together! These decisions have long lasting and significant impacts on landowners and the wider community.
Link to councilor emails here:
https://www.mountainviewcounty.com/p/contact-us
Photos are of the wetland we just lost. This policy will allow this type of work to continue with no consultation
