Rapid City's waterfowl feeding ban that goes into effect Feb. 26 is only a first step in dealing with an overpopulation of ducks and geese at Canyon Lake Park.

It is, however, a good first step and we applaud the Rapid City Council for finally having the courage and common sense to take it.

It has been a long, painful process to get to this prohibition on feeding. At times, we doubted we'd get this far, given the division of public opinion over feeding waterfowl. Rapid City missed a golden opportunity to start on fresh path early last year when Canyon Lake was drained and reopened. That was the time to act. That was the time to change both the public's and the birds' behaviors.

On Jan. 19, the council voted 6-4 to approve a $5 fine for feeding waterfowl in city parks.

Still, many park users see feeding the birds as a beloved family tradition. Wildlife management experts agree it's bad for the birds, and nearly everyone can agree that it is bad for the joggers, walkers and bikers who use the city bike path. Most park users are fed up with the unsanitary mess that thousands of resident ducks and geese leave behind on the walkways, grass and playgrounds in Canyon Lake.

Exactly how the ban will be enforced is still unclear.

Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender is hoping that the very existence of a ban will be enough to alter many people's behavior. If people know it is against the law, most of them will choose to do the right thing and stop feeding the ducks. Public signs and friendly reminders from parks department workers will be the first step in that public education campaign. The threat of a bigger stick than just a $5 ticket may also come into play. Unlike a city parking ticket, the feeding ban fine could come with court costs that would increase its financial bite to $57, according to city officials.

The council's action is also designed to change the behavior of another entity: the state Game, Fish and Parks Department. Without a city law against feeding, GF&P officials made it clear that they wouldn't take any steps to reduce or manage the size of the waterfowl population at Canyon Lake. Since harvesting of the waterfowl in city parks may be necessary as a long-term solution to the growing number of birds, at least the necessary first step is now in place to do so.

Good for the city council. More importantly, good for our city parks.