Starting as early as Sept. 14, Metro may need to divert waterfowl from Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area to help protect wildlife from a disease outbreak.
Although the disease is not thought to be harmful to people, the wetlands will remain closed to paddlers until the outbreak ends.
Waterfowl at Smith and Bybee Wetlands are experiencing an outbreak of a form of avian botulism, a natural but fatal disease. This type of botulism usually affects pond ducks and geese, not fish-eating birds such as herons, egrets and pelicans. This particular outbreak could be more serious than what occurred last year, but hopefully not as severe as the 2012 outbreak.
Metro and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have found birds dead and dying from this disease, primarily migrating waterfowl. Without efforts to move birds off the lakes, especially at dusk, thousands more animals may die, including several species of concern. The department has asked Metro to make every effort to keep healthy birds away from the area.
To help with recovery efforts, Metro may need to use various hazing techniques, including pyrotechnic devices, such as shell-launching pistols. Immediate neighbors could expect to hear noises during dawn and dusk for up to two weeks. Licensed, insured and experienced personnel will help carry out the project. Metro will take every step to minimize inconveniences and make sure natural area management is safe -- for the environment and for people.
Metro and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor birds throughout the fall and may need to continue to employ hazing techniques until steady rain and cooler temperatures bring enough cool, clean water to stop the disease cycle.
In the past year, Metro has also worked to restore the natural seasonal draining of Smith Lake, which discourages ducks that prefer deeper water and attracts birds immune to that type of botulism, such as herons, egrets and American pelicans. Unfortunately, nutria and beavers have built dams of mud and branches that prevent the flow of water from the lake. In order to ensure water drains properly, some hazing of invasive nutria may be necessary.
At nearly 2,000 acres, Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city -- hiding in a part of Portland surrounded by port terminals, warehouses and other commercial developments.
If you have any questions, call the Natural Areas Program at 503-797-1545 or email [email protected].