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Bear-Resistant Garbage Container 50/50 Cost Sharing Program Created July 2022 The Town of Minden strives for a safe and clean community. Reports of bear activity in the Minden/Gardnerville Town Boundaries have increased in recent years. The increase of bear activity is due to a number of factors, but has been driven by drought, encroachment of human development into bear habitat, and ease of access to municipal solid waste within Town limits. Bears are drawn to use rivers and sloughs such as the Carson River and the Martin Slough through Minden as migratory corridors. In areas outside of the Towns Douglas County Code 6.32 requires homeowners to disallow bears access to their residential solid waste. Failure to comply with this ordnance may result in a fine. The Town of Minden encourages residents to help share the responsibility of using good practices in helping reduce bear disturbance within each community. Methods used to help reduce bears getting into trash cans are as follows: PUT YOUR GARBAGE OUT ON THE MORNING OF PICKUP, not the night before (and certainly not all week long) Spray non-lemon Pine Sol on each bag. If you can’t be there to put your garbage out, ask a neighbor to help. PURCHASE a bear resistant can, tote, or enclosure. A 90g bear resistant tote can be provided by Town of Minden on a case by case basis for an additional fee. DO NOT leave trash on your deck or in crawl spaces under the house. Bears can detect odors through closed doors. A flimsy door is almost non-existent to a bear. DO NOT leave pet food out on decks overnight. Take it inside. DO NOT leave a window (screened or not) open with freshly baked goods or other foods on the kitchen counter. Remember if bears can smell it, they will try to get it. DO NOT leave food or ice chests on decks or in vehicles. Bears can smell food, lotions, gum, toothpaste, etc. in your trunk or glove compartment. CLEAN all trash containers with ammonia, bleach, or Pine Sol. CLEAN your BBQ, especially the drip pan. Allow the fire to burn off all food particles. Remember that it is illegal to feed bears. ---PAGE BREAK--- This is a 50/50 cost sharing program which may be used to help purchase a bear resistant can in locations that has been determined by Town Staff to be in need of additional protection from bear disturbance. These containers are meant to be left outside so property owners do not have to worry about bears breaking into their garage because of the odor. Property owners may apply to receive a bear resistant can by completing a Bear-Resistant Garbage Container Program application. Applications must be submitted for consideration by Town Staff at the main office (1604 Esmeralda Ave.). A property owner will be guaranteed one can at the beginning of the program. If additional cans are requested they will be distributed once there is additional inventory and all property owners requesting cans have received one. An existing can will need to be switched out upon delivery of the new can. All cans will remain property to the Town of Minden and shall be returned if property changes ownership. Due to limited available funding, the Bear-Resistant Garbage Container Program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For this reason, the Town Staff reserves the right to limit eligibility of each application and the number of applications approved annually. Cans will be purchased once per year in bulk and the number will be determined by number of applications and available funds. The cost to replace damaged cans will be eligible by using this same 50/50 cost sharing program. Unless can is damaged by Town Staff during a pickup in which the can will be replaced by the Town. The applicant must pay for their portion of the can upon approval of the application and prior to it being delivered. ---PAGE BREAK--- APPLICATION Please complete this application and send it to: Town of Minden Administration 1604 Esmeralda Ave, ste 101 Minden, NV 89423 [PHONE REDACTED] Name: Address for proposed bear resistant Daytime Phone: I certify that I have read and fully understand the conditions and terms of the Bear- Resistant Container Cost Share Program. Signature: Date For Office Use Only: Account Payment Received: YES / NO If YES, amount received: Date of Delivery:__________