Working together with beavers is the answer

I’d like to thank the Pathfinder and Biologist Scott Eggeman for last week’s excellent column exploring the history, ecology and growing importance of beavers. As we increasingly face the unpredictable stresses of fires, droughts and floods, I appreciate Eggeman’s nod to the rodent’s keystone role in a resilient ecosystem.

I’m thrilled to know that Torrey Ritter will be helping FWP to integrate beavers into the agency’s goals for watershed health and native fish recovery. Since much beaver habitat is currently unoccupied in our region, I commend FWP’s commitment to explore all options for restoration, including active reintroduction of beavers in the right place at the right time. Successful beaver relocations around the West are increasingly accompanied by “beaver dam analogues” or other structures that mimic and initiate the beaver’s likelihood of success. Transplanting mated pairs or family units has been shown to be effective, and I fully trust that FWP will take advantage of these and all other measures of the best available science for relocation outcomes that benefit people, beavers and habitat.

While we are lucky enough to have beavers existing on – or naturally returning to – our landscapes, there are several non-lethal solutions to traditional conflicts. Some, like wrapping special trees in wire fencing, are simple and cheap.

“Flow devices” are another solution, and while they require some planning, a 310 permit and modest funds, they are durable, versatile investments that pay back in ecosystem services for years to come. Using a system of pipes and fencing to deter culvert blockage and excessive flooding, flow devices can be calibrated to avoid property damage while keeping the beavers in place. Far more than a compromise, studies have shown that for every dollar spent on flow devices, managers saved $8.37 in annual infrastructure repairs.

We have the tools and skills to work with these water-storing, fire-buffering, habitat-diversifying creatures. For more stories about how beavers are benefiting ranchers, urbanites, fish biologists and so many others, I suggest Ben Goldfarb’s excellent new book, “Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.” Our watersheds have many problems but it is good to know that by working together – with beavers – we can be the answer.