Don’t Feed the Ducks

The East Hampton Village board will hold hearings next Thursday on laws that would prohibit feeding wildfowl in certain areas and would restrict parking on a section of Newtown Lane.

The village is proposing a ban on feeding geese, ducks, swans, or other wildfowl within 200 feet of the shorelines of Georgica and Hook Ponds. Violations would be subject to a fine up to $250 or imprisonment for up to 15 days, or both.

Feeding of bread and crackers to wildfowl is blamed for excess nitrogen in the waterways, which is detrimental to their ecological health. Uneaten bread rots and can lead to algae growth that threatens fish and other wildlife, and is also blamed for attraction of rats, mice, and insects, which can harbor additional diseases.

Responding to residents’ complaints at a recent meeting, the board is also considering restricting parking to two hours on the west side of Newtown Lane between the intersection of Sherrill Road and 20 feet west of the Conklin Terrace intersection between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Also next Thursday the board will close out the 2013-14 fiscal year.

The meeting is at the Emergency Services Building on Cedar Street.