Jim Stengle spoke on a possible request from the Marin Municipal Water District to conduct a food habit study on wild turkeys, which would eliminate several hundred wild turkeys. He noted that some of this information may be rumor, but wanted to voice the concern of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF).

Deputy Director Sonke Mastrup explained that the Marin County Water District has been concerned with the number of turkeys on District Lands and the resulting effects on watershed health and water quality. He noted that the Department is working with the District to address this problem but there has not been a formal permit request received at this time. He indicated that the Commission would soon receive a draft turkey management plan which will include options for dealing with areas where turkeys are not desirable. He noted that the Department would share with the Commission, any future permit requests having to do with turkey depredation .

Phil Martinelli indicated further concern on behalf of the California chapter of the NWTF, regarding wild turkeys on watershed land — especially with removing the turkeys by lethal means. He noted that NWTF supported the draft management plan that the Department had recently posted. Martinelli read a statement from the president of the NWTF California Chapter which indicated that NWTF was willing to fund the trapping and relocation of all the turkeys found to be a nuisance, at no cost to the water districts or the State of California.