Senators Burr, Dole, and Congressman Jones attempt to undo negotiated agreement on Cape Hatteras management
We got word late Wednesday that Senators Burr and Dole, with Congressman Jones, introduced legislation to overturn the negotiated settlement all parties agreed to related to Cape Hatteras management and return to the failed plan of last year. Even though one of the parties signing on to the agreement was representing the off-road vehicle drivers, it appears that disgruntled members among those groups pushed for this bill — a really bad precedent of Congress trying to overturn a court-approved settlement on natural resource management. The bill language and our response is below.
I just spent two days looking at virtually every available area of the National Seashore, ran into people who were driving and fishing there but also approved of the bird protections, and found room for all to recreate. I also saw great improvements in management approaches and more birds as a result.
PLEASE contact your congressman and both senators (go to web and google their names to find their web sites which usually allow you to call/email from there) and let them know this is not acceptable. Look for coverage in local papers and write letters if you can. We worked very hard to compromise on a science-based approach that all could live with (and agreed to!) in the final settlement.
Chris
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Chris Canfield
Executive Director/Vice President
Audubon North Carolina
123 Kingston Drive, Suite 206A
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-929-3899; 919-929-4599 (fax)
ccanfield@audubon.org
The Act:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REINSTATEMENT OF INTERIM MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.
After the date of the enactment of this Act, Cape Hatteras National Seashore shall be managed in accordance with the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy /Environmental Assessment issued by the National Park Service on June 13, 2007, for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, until the National Park Service issues a special regulation and long-term off-road vehicle management plan for the use of Cape Hatteras National Seashore by the public.
SEC.2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CONSENT DECREE.
The April 30, 2008, consent decree filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina regarding off-road vehicle use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina shall not apply after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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Our response:
June 11th, 2008
Contact:
Chris Canfield, Audubon North Carolina, 919-929-3899
Derb Carter, Southern Environmental Law Center, 919-967-1450
Jason Rylander, Defenders of Wildlife, 202-772-3245
Legislation aims to strip vital protections from threatened wildlife on Cape Hatteras National Seashore
WASHINGTON – Legislation introduced today by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr and U.S. Rep. Walter Jones (all of North Carolina) would allow the short-sighted wishes of small special interest groups to take precedence over the continued survival of the unique national resources that make Cape Hatteras National Seashore so special.
The bill threatens to return Cape Hatteras to a management strategy that had proven woefully inadequate in safeguarding our natural resources. The benefits of the science-based consent decree to Cape Hatteras’ threatened wildlife are already being seen in the increased number of birds using the seashore this nesting season.
“This attack on the laws that safeguard our parks and seashores could set a dangerous precedent,” said Jason Rylander, attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. “Basing the management of Cape Hatteras on the desires of a handful of special interests would do a disservice not only to the wildlife and natural resources the seashore was created to protect, but also to the thousands of visitors who travel to the seashore to enjoy those same resources each year.”
Legal action would not have been necessary if the Park Service had complied with the law and implemented responsible ORV management plans. In July of 2007, Judge Terrence Boyle ruled that the Park Service was not complying with the law in their management of off-road vehicle use on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
“This bill would put back in place a failed plan to manage the natural resources of the Seashore and degrade a national treasure established for the enjoyment of all Americans, ” said SELC attorney Derb Carter.
The consent decree that is currently in place was based upon recommendations developed by the Park Service’s own scientists, and is the result of collaboration and agreement between all interested parties – including Dare and Hyde Counties and the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance – a coalition of Off Road Vehicle groups.
Over the past 10 years, the numbers of imperiled birds nesting at the seashore declined by 86 percent. Already this year the threatened piping plover has at least seven pairs breeding, up one so far from last year, and the American oystercatcher numbers have improved from 22 breeding pairs in 2007 to 33 pairs, according to National Park Service figures.
“Management under the interim plan was clearly not working, resulting in some of the lowest numbers of nesting birds in the history of the Seashore,” said Chris Canfield, Executive Director of Audubon North Carolina. “The consent decree represents an approach that was agreed to by all parties involved – including the Park Service, both local counties and representatives of the beach driving community.”
Even with the consent decree’s increased protections for natural resources, more than 22 of the Seashore’s 66 miles of beach remain open for driving, and almost 55 miles are open to pedestrians, according to the National Park Service’s June 5 access report. Just 12 miles of the beach are closed due to the need to protect natural resources; the other closures are based on routine seasonal or safety needs.
The consent decree also provides a great deal of flexibility, with temporary closures that can be lifted and reopened to vehicles once wildlife is no longer using the area. Already, some areas have been reopened this season.
“The consent decree is already showing signs of improving natural resource protection while still allowing abundant access for visitors. I just spent two days at the Seashore; Cape Hatteras remains a wonderful place for all to visit and enjoy,” said Canfield.
Seasonal Birding Tours
It’s migratory waterfowl season at Greenfield Lake and Cape Fear River Watch is once again offering guided birding tours on the lake in our 20 foot Electric Canoe. Visitors should look for the Wigeons, Gadwalls, Cormorants and Egrets that roost in and around the Bald Cypress that dominate the lake. Great Blue Herons, Anhingas, and more variety of duck than seem reasonable also call the waters of the lake their winter home. The Long Leaf Pine, Live Oak, Magnolia, Dogwood and other wetland forest trees surrounding the lake play host to many varieties of Warbler, Nuthatch, Flycatcher and Vireos.
The one hour tours are led by trained and experienced birders and cost $15/person. Tours operate on Thursdays and Saturdays through February, or by special appointment, leaving the dock at 11:00am, Noon and 1:00pm with a special “roosting hour” tour leaving approximately 4:00pm.
As the canoe can hold only the guide and four passengers, reservations are required. Call Joe Abbate at 910-762-5606 or 910-200-4002 to make arrangements.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
Call them Tigers of the sky or night predators. Meet real birds of prey-a Peregrine falcon, Barred owl, American Kestrel and Eastern screech owl-6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Halyburton Park. Fee: three dollars per participant; registration required. Details: 910-794-6001
HAWKS IN MANHATTAN?
Where I live in New Hanover County hawk sightings are fairly common. In fact, I swear to you that last week we saw a coyote in the back yard and,yes,I was sober.
But apparently sighting a hawk in Manhattan is a big, big event and gets those New Yorkers really excited. Read this funny commentary about the newest hawk sighting in Manhattan.
BALD EAGLE OFF THE PROTECTED SPECIES LIST
The bald eagle has recovered so completely that the Interior Department has removed the bird from the endangered species list. Some good things do happen now and then. Read more
THE NORTH CAROLINA BIRDING TRAIL
Read about our The NC Birding Trail – Coastal Plain Trail Guide book available from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Volunteers are needed for The Painted Bunting Observer Team Project. Volunteers will record painted bunting sightings at their backyard feeders. More information can be found at www.uncw.edu/paintedbuntings. Read more about Banking on Birds
BIRDS AND MORE!
There are several bird clubs in the Cape Fear Area. Here are the web sites:
John Ennis’ web page The Busniess Birder
