Pismo Beach residents confront an ecological threat as coastal cliffs erode. The squirrel population, protected by California Assembly Bill 1322, has surged, potentially jeopardizing the stability of these cliffs. Public Works Director Rosemarie Gaglione noted that since the cessation of squirrel baiting, population figures have surged, causing challenges in local parks. The cute rodents, while popular among visitors, pose disease risks and exacerbate cliff erosion through their tunneling. The town grapples with balancing wildlife protection with ecological safety.
"Since we stopped baiting them a couple years ago, the population has exploded." - Rosemarie Gaglione, Public Works Director, highlighting how the California Ecosystem Protection Act influenced the squirrel population in Pismo Beach.
"They will come up and eat from the hands of folks. They look cute, but they're not a great thing for the parks." - Rosemarie Gaglione, emphasizing the cute but potentially harmful nature of the squirrels.
"Their tunneling moves water through and out of the bluffs and helps to accelerate the collapse of bluff." - Concerns about how the squirrels impact the stability of the coastal cliffs.
"We do have a squirrel population problem in some of our parks." - Rosemarie Gaglione, addressing the challenges posed by the increased squirrel population.
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