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Beaver Management Assistance
Balancing Wildlife with Property Protection & Community Safety
The Beaver Management Assistance Program (BMAP) helps landowners and public agencies manage beaver-related damage on private and public lands. Operating through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (USDA Wildlife Services), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and participating counties. The program uses an integrated approach that combines non-lethal and lethal management methods, with priority given to public health and safety concerns.
These efforts helped prevent losses to roads, bridges, timber, agricultural land, railways, and public infrastructure. For every $1 invested, the program saves approximately $6.42 in avoided repair and replacement costs statewide.
Practical Solutions for Lasting Environmental Benefits
- BMAP-related removals make up about 17% of North Carolina’s annual beaver harvest, roughly 0.5% of the total beaver population.
With more than 30 years of proven success, the Beaver Management Assistance Program (BMAP) provides effective, practical, and humane management of beaver-related issues. Specialists apply nationally recognized, environmentally responsible techniques tailored to each site. Beyond direct control, the program also offers year-round technical guidance and free training on beaver ecology and management practices.
Unlike general removal programs, BMAP targets only sites where beaver activity causes measurable damage. This problem-focused approach resolves conflicts while maintaining beaver populations in non-problem areas that they provide valuable ecological benefits such as improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and supporting recreational opportunities across North Carolina.
Take the First Step Toward Beaver Damage Solutions
- Contact the Pitt County Soil & Water Conservation District: Reach out to the local liaison to discuss your concerns and confirm Pitt County’s participation status in the Beaver Management Assistance Program (BMAP).
- Submit a Service Request: Provide your contact information, property location, and a brief description of the beaver damage. Request forms are available through the County office or the Soil & Water Conservation District.
- On-Site Assessment: A USDA Wildlife Services specialist will visit the property to evaluate damage severity and recommend the most effective management strategies. Initial site assessments are often provided at no cost in participating counties.
- Cost-Share Agreement: If eligible, you will enter a cost-share agreement outlining service fees for site visits or dam removal. Typical rates in are about $25 per visit and $150 per dam removal.
- Implementation and Follow-Up: Specialists carry out or guide approved management practices, which may include both non-lethal and targeted control methods. Progress is monitored, and follow-up visits are scheduled as needed.
Additional Notes
- Free training on non-lethal and self-help management methods may be available for interested landowners.
- Participation helps protect vital infrastructure such as roads, culverts, and bridges—saving counties and landowners costly repairs.
- Priority is given to projects that address public health or safety risks, including flooding near roads, culverts, or drainage systems.
- If Pitt County’s participation status changes, landowners can still request services through USDA Wildlife Services but at the full cost.
- Services for NCDOT rights-of-way are available statewide, regardless of county participation.