Frequently referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’, beavers create quality wetland habitats for various species of birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates, and more. However, occasionally beaver activity can lead to conflicts with humans by causing flooding and damaging trees.
Beavers and beaver dams are protected under the Environmental Conservation Law. Section 11-0505 states that “no person is allowed at any time to disturb a beaver dam, house, or den without obtaining a permit from DEC”. This permit provides options for landowners experiencing damage related to beavers and beaver activity.
Techniques for Controlling Nuisance Beaver
New York has an abundant beaver population that DEC manages to allow the people of New York the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of beaver while minimizing the problems that beaver cause. DEC has developed a Beaver Damage Control Techniques Manual (PDF) is to provide information on the most effective techniques available for resolving beaver/human conflicts. It integrates a wide range of topics and issues pertinent to beaver damage control and serves as a valuable reference tool for members of the public who have beaver damage.
Information includes:
- Natural history and habits of beavers
- Beaver management in New York State
- Liability concerns
- Permit requirements
- Methods for removal of nuisance beavers
- Techniques for removing beaver dams
- Information on non-lethal management – including protecting trees and shrubs and the construction and installation of water level control devices (WLCDs).
Removal of Nuisance Beavers and Beaver Materials
The primary way DEC manages New York’s abundant beaver population is by allowing licensed trappers to trap and remove beaver during the annual regulated trapping season. The beaver trapping season runs from November through early April. Today’s trappers have learned how to use the majority of the beaver to ensure minimal waste. Beaver fur is highly valued and used to make hats, clothing, and more. The unique skin on the beaver’s tail can be used as leather. Castoreum from beaver scent glands is used as a food additive and to make lures and perfumes. Beaver meat is highly regarded and tastes similar to beef when properly prepared.
Whenever possible, landowners experiencing problems related to beavers should reach out to local trappers for assistance removing beavers during the regulated season. Both the landowner and trapper benefit from this arrangement, and the beaver does not go to waste. To facilitate this connection, DEC maintains a list of trappers that are willing to trap nuisance beaver during the regulated season. If you are a landowner experiencing beaver damage that would like to get in touch with a local trapper, or a trapper who would like to join this list, contact your Regional Wildlife Office.
Remove Beaver Outside the Regulated Season
Sometimes it is not possible for a landowner to wait until the regulated season to resolve beaver conflicts. For these instances, Section 11-0521 of the Environmental Conservation Law authorizes DEC to issue permits for the removal of nuisance beaver. This permit can only be issued to the landowner upon whose land the beaver trapping will occur. The permittee may designate in writing an agent who will kill the beaver.
Remove a Beaver Dam
Under normal circumstances, no person can disturb a beaver dam, lodge, or house (ECL Section 11-0505). However, it may be necessary to remove a beaver dam to alleviate flooding or related issues. As long as the dam is newly established (less than 2 years old), DEC can issue a dam removal permit to the landowner experiencing the problem.
Since removing a beaver dam also impacts the surrounding waterway and species that live there, there are additional considerations that must be considered before this permit can be issued. Freshwater wetlands, streams, and navigable waterways are protected in New York (by ECL Articles 24 and 15, respectively). To ensure that the removal of a beaver dam does not negatively impact protected waterways, a general Article 15/24 permit for beaver dam alteration has been developed. This general permit is issued with each beaver dam removal permit and includes conditions designed to protect the waterway.
Dam removal permits are also subject to screening for state- and federally-listed threatened and endangered species. If a listed species occurs in the vicinity of the dam, applicants may have to follow additional conditions to avoid incidental harm to the threatened or endangered species.
Established dams that are more than 2 years old require additional review from the Division of Environmental Permits. Landowners wishing to remove an established dam should contact their Regional Permit Administrator.
Apply for a Nuisance Beaver Permit
There are three different Nuisance Beaver permit types a landowner or organization can apply for.
- Beaver Removal permit allows for the lethal removal of beaver on the permittee’s property outside of the regulated trapping season.
- A Dam Removal permit also allows for lethal removal of beavers, plus the breaching or removal of a beaver dam no more than 2 years old.
- A Culvert Maintenance permit is a type of blanket permit that allows the permittee to address flooding concerns by removing dams and other beaver-related materials that are immediately adjacent to culverts and bridges. This permit type is only available to certain organizations and allows for work to be done on any property the permittee owns or maintains a right-of-way on.
All nuisance beaver permit types are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued. If a permit is needed for multiple years, the permittee must reapply annually. Visit our online permitting system to apply for a Nuisance Beaver Permit.
