Since
the first successful reintroduction of beaver into North Carolina in 1939,
populations in the state have increased dramatically. Along with this population
expansion has come an increase in benefits derived from beaver (for example,
increased wetland habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, reduced
downstream sedimentation, and improved water quality). However, detrimental
impacts of beaver have also increased. For example, in 1997 landholders in
eastern North Carolina reported that beaver damage to roads, agriculture
and timber lands, drainage systems, landscape plantings, and other property
exceeded $5 million. In 1995-96 the North Carolina Department of Transportation
(DOT) spent over $1 million to repair roads damaged by beaver activities.
To address some of these problems, the North Carolina legislature in 1992 created the Beaver Damage Control Advisory Board with the charge to develop, implement, and oversee a program to manage beaver damage on public and private lands. The nine-member Advisory Board, composed of representatives from state and federal agencies and the private sector, established the Beaver
Management Assistance Program (BMAP). A major goal of the BMAP is to educate the public and participating landholders about the best strategies for managing beaver damage including the pros and cons of removing beaver or using pond levelers, exclusion, or other non-lethal techniques. Wildlife specialists conduct programs and workshops on beaver damage management and beaver ecology for civic and professional organizations, schools, landholder groups, and others. When beaver damage is intolerable, wildlife specialists alleviate the damage by removing the offending animals and their dams using humane and environmentally acceptable methods or by using pond levelers, exclusion, or other non-lethal techniques.
The
BMAP assists the DOT, city and county governments, soil and water conservation
districts, private landholders and others with beaver problems. The program
is run by USDA Wildlife Services through a cooperative agreement with the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Funding comes from state, county, federal,
and private sources.
How to Participate
Download
the "Obtaining Services" document (pdf)
Learn more about BMAP and see county contacts to request assistance.
See BMAP Policies and Procedures (pdf)
See also "Beaver Management in North Carolina."
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