The Westport Island Board of Selectmen has tasked the town’s budget committee with exploring beaver control costs. The committee will look into the costs associated with placing a “beaver control unit” at the end of Fowles Point Road.
A beaver control unit is placed near culverts to prevent beavers from blocking the flow of water. The unit does not harm or kill the animal.
According to Selectman George Richardson, beaver dams are a common problem throughout the United States. Dams can block water flow through culverts, causing severe damage to roads and other infrastructure.
Richardson said beaver dams cost states millions of dollars in damages each year. The animals have done their fair share of damage to Westport Island as well, said Selectman Jerry Bodmer.
“It’s costing us an arm and a leg now,” Bodmer said.
The selectmen encouraged the Budget Committee to look at culvert clearing costs in the last fiscal year and compare them to the price of a beaver control unit.
