Sinnott, management biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, told the Eagle River Valley Community Council March 10 that, to avoid a repeat of last year's heavy bear activity in lower Eagle River Valley, Alaska State Troopers will issue fines early and often to people who attract bears to their improperly stored trash.

Sinnott said he and his assistant spent hundreds of unpaid hours tracking the bears and people's garbage last September, October and November in Eaglewood, Eagle Crossing and Parkview Terrace neighborhoods. At least two juvenile brown bears roamed the area well into autumn, finding easy meals. He expects them back soon.

"(The bears) will be back in late April," said Sinnott. "I'm probably going to have to shoot one or both of them this spring."

Timothy Matheson, an Eaglewood resident who did not attend the meeting, said shooting the bears is the solution.

"Let's just kill them and get it over with," said Matheson. "I don't want my child to be a victim because we did not take care of the problem bear."

Sinnott said although he may have to kill these two bears if they come back, it is not a solution.

"Most people wouldn't want to see that," he said. "If we do end up shooting these bears we'll just have more."

Sinnott said the solution is to have bears leave on their own accord.

"We can end it all by just cutting off the garbage," he said. "If we get rid of the garbage, we get rid of them."

He said that hasn't been an easy task.

Sinnott said last year he counted 400 to 450 homes in the Eagle River valley areas per night that had garbage out on the curb.

"It's much easier to train the bears than to train the people. These bears could always find garbage," said Sinnott.

It is illegal to feed a bear, be it intentional or otherwise. Tickets carry a $110 fine for people whose improperly stored trash attracts bears. Sinnott said to avoid a ticket, residents should put out their trash the morning it's picked up, not the day before.

Former council president Sarah Wright said last year was not a normal year for bears. She said high Eagle River water levels and few berries drove bears looking for an alternative food source.

"I don't think we'll have the same kind of problem," she said.

Another resident said Saturday garbage pickup has led to the problem. In 2002, Waste Management of Alaska changed its schedule in some parts of Eagle River Valley from Tuesday to Saturday collection.

Sinnott said he has not seen statistics yet supporting that claim. He did say that the problem existed before the change, citing a June 1999 bear killing in an Eagle River subdivision as an example.

Other solutions, such as relocating bears or a bear hunt in the area, were also suggested. Sinnott said with a population of 50 to 60 brown bears in Chugach State Park, the population could not survive a hunt. He also said relocated bears always seem to find their way back.

Sinnott said residents could help by getting bear-resistant garbage cans, offered by the trash-collection company Waste Management of Alaska.

For people who are not on automated, roll-cart service, the increase of cost is about $9 per month. For those on roll-carts, the increase is $3.

"They aren't bear proof, but (the cans) definitely slow them down," Sinnott said. "It would be a good step forward."

Kirk Duncan, general manager of Waste Management, said the carts are well tested and could make a difference.

"The carts work very well," he said. "They have aluminum-reinforced lids and are very strong. We've tested them a couple of times at the zoo and they do the trick."

Bob Lindquist, manager of community and municipal relations for Waste Management, said supply has not kept up with a high demand for the cans. He said right now only 10 are in Anchorage, with another 50, which are already reserved, expected to arrive soon.

"We have a waiting list and a second order coming," said Lindquist. "The can was designed specifically for Alaska, but it has received nationwide attention. We can't get them as quick as we'd like."

Sinnott said whether or not residents have the bear-resistant cans, something can still be done.

"Don't put trash out until a few hours before pickup," said Sinnott. "Everyone knows (the bears) were around. If we don't do this, they'll just come back."

Both Fish and Game and an environmental group have launched educational campaigns about keeping bears away from neighborhoods. Karen Deatherage, program associate with Alaska Defenders of Wildlife, said her group would continue to spread the word - and door hangers - in the area on how to keep bears safe.

"We will be pounding the pavement again this year," said Deatherage, whose group distributed about 2,000 informational door hangers last fall. "We have an opportunity to maintain a unique living environment with wildlife and I hope we don't take that for granted."

Reach the reporter at greg.dart@alaskastar.com.