Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993 TAG: 9309240229
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG LENGTH: Short
Under a plea agreement, Governor's Land Management Corp. also will pay $2,925 in replacement costs to the treasurer of the Virginia Game Protection Fund and donate $2,500 to the College of William and Mary's Center for Conservation Biology.
The replacement funds will be used for research and preservation and restoration of wildlife habitats, not to replace the geese, said Sgt. R.P. Hickman of the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Governor's Land pleaded no contest Thursday in General District Court to a misdemeanor charge of killing Canada geese with poisoned bait. The plea means that while Governor's Land did not defend itself against the charge in court, it also did not admit guilt.
"We've accepted responsibility for this unfortunate incident since day one, and this plea is in keeping with that," Governor's Land President Gerry Moore said.
He added that Governor's Land will work with the fish and game department to steer geese toward lakes and other areas on the property preserved for wildlife.
Meanwhile, the federal government is trying to find out if Governor's Land violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in killing the federally protected Canada geese, said Special Agent Dan Hunt of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
by CNB