West Bloomfield to Oil Swan Eggs

Hi Everyone, I just was informed that the West Bloomfield Township Elected Officials are going to be discussing mute swan egg oiling at their March 6, 2017, board meeting. Pine Lake property owners are requesting the oiling through the DNR management plan. Please contact the Board and request that they do not allow oiling of the mute swan eggs. First thing, is that the DNR still has never shown any Michigan scientific studies proving the harmful effects they claim the mute swans are having on the environment. They have written all kinds of stuff on their website, but have never been forced to prove what is written. Second thing, When eggs are oiled, the female swan sits on the nest for a longer period of time waiting for her eggs to hatch. She sits on her nest as it is, for about 6 weeks and to make her sit on it even longer is extremely cruel. If the Board finds that they have to do something, they should request that all but one or two of her eggs be removed from the nest. No oiling. Allow the swans to hatch the 1 or 2 eggs. Most cygnets do not survive. Chances are that theirs may not either. It is also possible that the swans will re-nest if their eggs are oiled and do not hatch. If they should do this, the female will sit on the nest another 6 weeks and can have up to 7 or 8 eggs hatch. Their entire cycle will be delayed. Please take a moment and call or write the Township Board regarding this issue. townshipboard@wbtownship.org or Steven Kaplan, Supervisor (248) 451-4813 * People who live on lakes should not be the only people to make decisions regarding the lake. They should have to co-exist with other creatures on the lake other than themselves. Thank You, Karen https://westbloomfieldtwpmi.documents-on-demand.com/Document/c2d91094-58ff-e611-80be-001fbc00ed85/Township%20Board%20Agenda%20March%2006,%202017.pdf