City of Pittsburgh - File #: 2023-1845

• File #: 2023-1845
• Version: 2
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed Finally
• File created: 8/25/2023
• In control: Committee on Public Safety and Wellness
• On agenda: 8/29/2023
• Final action: 9/6/2023
• Enactment date: 9/6/2023
• Enactment #: 15
• Effective date: 9/6/2023
• Title: Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Four: Public Places and Property; Article XI: Parks and Playgrounds; Chapter 473: Use Regulations; Section 473.01: Park Property; and Title Six: Conduct; Article XI: Weapons; Chapter 695: General Weapons Provisions; Section 695.04: Use of Weapons by Discharge by adding exceptions to allow for the implementation of a deer management program.
• Indexes: PGH. CODE ORDINANCES TITLE 04 - PUBLIC PLACES

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/6/2023	2	Mayor	Signed by the Mayor
9/6/2023	2	City Council	Passed Finally	Pass
8/30/2023	2	Standing Committee	AMENDED	Pass
8/30/2023	2	Standing Committee	Affirmatively Recommended as Amended	Pass
8/29/2023	1	City Council	Waived under Rule 8	Pass
8/29/2023	1	City Council	Read and referred

Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title Four: Public Places and Property; Article XI: Parks and Playgrounds; Chapter 473: Use Regulations; Section 473.01: Park Property; and Title Six: Conduct; Article XI: Weapons; Chapter 695: General Weapons Provisions; Section 695.04: Use of Weapons by Discharge by adding exceptions to allow for the implementation of a deer management program.

Body
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("U.S.D.A."), through observation and public comment of the effects of overpopulation of white-tailed deer within city parks, has recommended the implementation of a comprehensive deer management program[ML1]; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania deer management objectives suggest sawtimber age stands of forest can support up to 20 deer per square mile[ML2]; and[CP3]

WHEREAS, overpopulation of white-tailed deer significantly increases instances of deer/vehicle collisions; and

WHEREAS, overpopulation of white-tailed deer significantly increases human health and safety risks (e.g. Lyme disease); and

WHEREAS, overpopulation of white-tailed deer is largely responsible for the lack of plant species diversity and forest regeneration in the City's parks and

WHEREAS, white-tailed deer populations in the City's parks have risen to levels that threaten the safety of residents and the ecological integrity of the parks; and

WHEREAS, a wildlife damage management project is necessary to ensure that the health of the white-tailed deer herd is maintained so that the ecosystems of City parks are not irreparably damaged or destroyed, to maintain the safety, and to prevent major property damage;

Be it enacted by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:

Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances at Title Four: Public Places and Property; Article XI: Parks and Playgrounds; Chapter 473: Use Regulations; Section 473.01: Park Property is hereby amended as follows:

? 473.01 - PARK P...