Jackson County residents having problems with nuisance beavers can get help through the N.C. Beaver Management Assistance Program, locally administrated by Jackson County Extension. Though beavers can be helpful by building ponds that control erosion and sedimentation, recharge groundwater and provide wildlife habitat, their dams can also cause flooding and they can destroy timber by chewing through tree trunks. 

Beavers become more active as cooler weather arrives and they start preparing for winter, so the N.C. BMAP allows residents to get assistance in exchange for a small cost-share fee. Participants pay $20 for each visit to their property and $125 for dam removal with no charge for travel time or for the initial assessment. On average, resolving a beaver problem takes about 10 visits over a 30-day period. Costs increase after 15 visits in a one-year period, but landowners wishing to do the work themselves can get individualized training at no cost. 

Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to situations threatening public health and safety. A major goal of the program is to educate the public and participating landowners in the best strategies for managing beaver damage. 

Robert Hawk, Jackson County extension director, 828.586.4009 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..