Goats abound the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line over the next few weeks
Jeanette Bent
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — Seeing goats in Aptos and Capitola? Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy.
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) announced this week that they will be utilizing goats to control vegetation overgrowth along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL) starting Monday.
The RTC is expecting the goats to be out there “working” for another four to six weeks, trimming down approximately two miles of the corridor.
According to the RTC, the goats will be used in four locations (State Park Drive and Sumner Avenue in Aptos, as well as Park and 41st avenues in Capitola) to “control weeds and potential fire hazards, clear certain drainage ditches to prevent clogging which may damage infrastructure or neighboring properties, reduce the debris degrading the railroad ties, and to clear certain invasive growth areas which impede visibility for safe travel and for police to patrol for illegal activities.”
They say their choice to use goats stems from a variety of reasons. Goats are quieter than other trimming methods, more energy efficient, requires less person-power, and could reduce the need for and/or enhance the effectiveness of herbicides.
They are hoping that the goats may also reduce the overall maintenance cost of the corridor.
The RTC says that this work will require using electric fencing, goat herders, and herding dogs, all of which will also be contained within the SCBRL right-of-way.
The public is asked not to disturb the electric fencing, enter the fenced area, or pet/feed the goats or dogs.