The Village of Ephraim is moving forward with a plan to address a growing population of geese along its shoreline, including the possible capture of adult birds during the June molting season.

At a recent Community Protection Committee meeting, officials reviewed a proposal from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that would require a public hearing before implementation. Village leaders say the geese contribute to increased maintenance demands and elevated E. coli levels in local waters.

Committee members pointed to similar efforts in Fish Creek, where a roundup program has been successful. Officials also discussed donating captured birds to food pantries, though additional testing would be required. Partnering with nearby communities could help reduce costs through shared resources.

Members, including John Cox and Hart, supported the plan after other deterrent methods proved ineffective. The committee agreed to move ahead with a public hearing and explore regional cooperation.

Communities across Door County continue to face similar challenges. In Sturgeon Bay, officials have taken a year-by-year approach to goose management. City leaders have worked with the USDA on roundups, including one effort that captured more than 250 birds, while also covering processing costs to donate usable meat to local food pantries.