Today, the County of Orange lost our incredible Auditor-Controller, Eric Woolery. I am saddened to hear of his sudden passing and offer my deepest condolences to Eric’s wife, Lisa, and his family.

I knew Eric as a warm, funny, and trusted friend, who dedicated more than 20 years of his life to public service. He began his public career on the Board of Trustees for the Orange County Department of Education. Later, after a successful stint in a private accounting practice, Eric served as treasurer for the city of Orange. Then, he won election, and resounding re-election, to the position of Auditor-Controller for the County.

As a fierce watchdog over taxpayer funds, Eric was a leader in open and transparent government.

Eric was a wonderful public servant and so much more. I will miss the many times he and Lisa and I would sit around with a small circle of friends at the end of a long week to discuss the issues and personalities of the day.

Eric was always good for a detached ironic comment or trenchant analysis – sometimes all rolled into one observation. He took what he did very seriously, but never himself.

Eric’s passing is a loss for the County and especially for all who knew him. We will treasure the memory of our friend; he will never be forgotten. 

Fire safety is a major concern for the Third District. With vegetation from the wet season blanketing our hillsides, our fire-prone communities must take responsibility to clear excess brush around personal properties.

That’s why on July 30 at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Wagner voted to approve the adoption of the Weed Abatement Resolution. This will help prevent the feeding of any ravenous flames tearing through our canyons.

The Weed Abatement Program at OC Public Works serves unincorporated Orange County, reducing the spread of noxious weeds and educating the public about fire hazards.

Before abatement 

After abatement 

What is the Weed Abatement Program?

Every March, the Hazard Reduction Program sends written notices to affected property owners instructing them combustible vegetation identified as a public nuisance and fire hazard.

Ninety percent of approximately 2,200 affected property owners voluntarily remove weeds and fire hazards from their properties. 

If work is not accomplished by a specified date, the County will abate these properties and a special assessment will be added to the property owner's tax bill. 

OC Public Works uses contract services to clear parcels as necessary under the direction of a County weed abatement inspector.

How does the County decide where to remove weeds?

Each property will have different requirements that affect weed removal.

Properties with structures are usually cleared completely or cleared a certain distance from the structure. A vacant property (with no structures to protect) is cleared when adjacent to homes or other property. 

Some vacant properties are far from homes and are partially cleared to create fire breaks. In addition, OC Public Works will carry out roadside clearance.

How do I file a complaint about hazardous vegetation on a property?

(714) 955-0111

Or

File a form:

http://ocagcomm.com/abatement/complaints

Want more vegetation fire safety information?

(714) 955-0111

http://ocagcomm.com/abatement.

http://firewise.org/?sso=0.

Addressing Immediate Public Safety Concerns 

OC Animal Care's Animal Control Officers (ACO) will respond to and impound any aggressive, sick, or injured coyotes. ACO also safeguards against coyotes roaming in traffic. OC Animal Care does not remove healthy, non-aggressive coyotes, including proactive trapping of coyotes.

Requests regarding population management, trapping, or the capturing of evasive coyotes due to aggressive or habituated behavior, or injured animals, requiring chemical immobilization for capture, are referred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Residents, HOAs, or other community groups can hire a private trapper, licensed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, at their own expense.

Educational Efforts

• Call and speak with a representative for safety tips or situational concerns.
• Attend an OC Animal Care seminar or Town Hall meeting on how to reduce coyote activity in their community and to protect themselves and their pets.

What can you do?

OC Animal Care recommends community participation to reduce rodent populations, access to food sources, and possible den sites.

• Rodents and rabbits are primary food sources for coyotes. Any action that encourages rodent activity will encourage coyote activity.
• Residents are encouraged to keep trash bins secured.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors.
• Limit the use of bird feeders.
• Ensure dense or low-lying shrubbery is trimmed.
• Food-producing gardens should be contained or secured to prevent the feeding of rabbits or other wild animals.
• Coyotes have been known to den under decks, sheds, in large pipes and woodpiles. 
• Residents should inspect their properties to make sure possible den sites are secured and that access to these areas are fenced. 
• Never feed wildlife and report violators to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Encouraging awareness of responsible behavior and pet ownership

• Do not leave small children outside unattended.
• Keep small dogs and cats indoors during the evening and early morning hours.
• Always walk your pet on a leash and secure dog runs (enclosed on all sides) with outside access to allow pets outdoor access during peak coyote hours.
• Update your pet’s rabies vaccination and spay or neuter your pet.

Proper hazing techniques

• Utilize motion-activated lighting and sprinklers.
• Only haze when coyotes are visually present making noise and throwing sticks or small stones to scare off coyotes.
• Yell, wave your arms, stomp your feet, and advance on the coyote.
• Place yourself between the coyote and children or pets.
• Do not stop hazing until the coyote is out of sight.
• Walk with an umbrella; the opening of an umbrella can startle a coyote.

Addressing habituated or aggressive animals as needed

• Report aggressive coyotes or those that do not respond to proper hazing techniques.
• Send concerns to OC Animal Care or the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Report any physical contact between a coyote and your pet to OC Animal Care.

Trapping Laws

• Coyotes are classified as non-game mammals in the state of California.
• A trapping license/permit is required to trap coyotes in California, except when persons are trapping animals on their own property.
• OC Animal Care does not possess a trapping license from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Fish and Game Code § 4005 (a):

Except as otherwise provided in this section, every person ... who traps fur-bearing mammals or nongame mammals, designated by the commission or who sells raw furs of those mammals, shall procure a trapping license.

While trapping is legal with a trapping license, relocation of wildlife, however, is prohibited.

California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 465.5 (g)(1):

Immediate Dispatch or Release. All fur-bearing and nongame mammals that are legal to trap must be immediately killed or released. Unless released, trapped animals shall be killed by shooting where local ordinances, landowners, and safety permit.

For more information on coyote education and resources, please contact OC Animal Care’s Operations Department at (714) 796-6460.