Progress has been madeA report on Activities by the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association
7-28-07
Most people that partake in the traditional New England lifestyle of the “Beach Buggy” are aware that as a whole, this year is turning out to be the worst year in history regarding ORV beach access in Massachusetts. Indeed it was hard to fathom that 2007 could be worse than 2006, however, as the Piping Plover and other protected species continue to proliferate successfully on our beaches, until long term updates and amendments are made to the various guidelines that drive the policies of our state and federal agencies, any gain in access will be hard fought and things may continue to get worse before they get better. A recent statement made by a member of the US Fish & Wildlife Service Piping Plover Recovery Team and one of the principle author’s of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan (PPRP), “It’ll never be what it once was”, sums this up. This disturbing comment was made at a private meeting held by the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association (MBBA) Access Committee in order to identify options that would bring relief to the tens of thousands of displaced “Beach Buggy” enthusiasts that are beginning to feel as if their cultural way of life is coming to an end.

The result of many meetings, thousands of dollars spent and hundreds of hours of research is a plan that has a realistic chance to succeed. Imagine a situation where when possible, vehicles are routed around nesting birds, and after hatched chicks behavioral pattern’s are identified, volunteer escorts, trained by MA Audubon, would assist full time bird monitors and escort vehicles past areas of this activity to open sections of beach. What if our community of beach drivers and suffering local businesses stopped displaying anti Plover stickers and memorabilia, and work together under a joint agreement that results in what is called a “Section 10 Permit” under the Federal Endangered Species Act. MBBA has met with MA Audubon, MA Office of Fish and Wildlife, USF&W and countless others, including contracting the services of the Washington DC law firm of Holland & Knight. The MBBA believes that coexistence with the birds is possible. Federally issued “Section 10 Permits” along with state issued, “Habitat Conservation Permits” (HCP) seem to be the only short term option that will give ORV users some additional access until such a time comes that changes and or amendments are made to Appendix G of the current version of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan.

The real work is to convince the local town governments to buy into this plan, as it is only the landowner that can apply for a “Section 10 permit”. MBBA has worked to set the stage and will be hosting a private meeting of all parties involved in managing our local beaches. We will present the results of our work and offer our available resources to assist Barnstable (Sandy Neck), Dennis (Chapin Beach), Orleans and Chatham (Nauset Beach) to create alternative management schemes that could be approved under a “Section 10 Permit”. ORV enthusiasts should not think this is the end all solution that will immediately open up the beach for the complete season, those days are long gone. However, in the short term, possibly one beach at a time, we can turn the tide on the devastating loss of access seen over the past two years. With each success there will be more pressure for the next beach to try out alternative management, and this is the best option we have discovered.

When it comes to the Cape Cod National Seashore, the level of regulation is very different than our other local beaches. Over the last year, MBBA participated in effecting changes that did open up some additional beach. However, as the protected birds move, so do the closures. We made some gains in the areas of beach access and parking lot access; more so for self contained vehicles and that is a good beginning. The NPS version of a “Section 10 Permit” is called a “Section 7 Consultation”. We have been told that current NPS management is not willing to go down this road for recreational purposes, as this is not what the “Section 7” was meant to be used for. Our best hope for significant gains in access at CCNS is for the plan on our other beaches to succeed, which will hopefully result in new management tools and a change to Appendix G of the current version of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan. If changes are made to this document, then NPS will follow the updated guidelines. Obviously, we will work toward any options that present themselves as we continue our efforts.

For any of this to succeed, ORV users must remember their frustration later in the fall and winter when it is time to support these plans. Without political pressure brought about by the coordinated actions that will be forthcoming, government authorities have no reason to respond to any of our proposals. The best way for those interested in supporting the MBBA and the actions described above is to first, become a member of the MBBA and or donate to the MBBA Legal Fund. This is a pay to play society and it costs dollars to advocate change to the current situation. To keep updated on MBBA activities and to contact the MBBA, please feel free to visit our web site at (www.mbba.net).

Presented by,
Massachusetts Beach Buggy Access Committee

Thanks for the update (and the work) MBBA & Patrick...

Nice work Patrick! :claps: :claps:

nice work mbba, mbba access committee, and to you patrick.

i've said it for years, the best way to gain any ground on access issues as it relates to plovers, or any other protected bird, is to know as much about that species, the area of concern, and the group(s) supporting their plight. if you fight the gov't with the plover issue, you will lose and it may take a long time to make any gains again. if you work with them, you will be surprised how open they are working together. i cannot speak on the issues on the cape the past 2 years, but i know it's worked in ri.

just one more reason to join a club.

Progress has been madeA report on Activities by the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association
7-28-07
Most people that partake in the traditional New England lifestyle of the “Beach Buggy” are aware that as a whole, this year is turning out to be the worst year in history regarding ORV beach access in Massachusetts. Indeed it was hard to fathom that 2007 could be worse than 2006, however, as the Piping Plover and other protected species continue to proliferate successfully on our beaches, until long term updates and amendments are made to the various guidelines that drive the policies of our state and federal agencies, any gain in access will be hard fought and things may continue to get worse before they get better. A recent statement made by a member of the US Fish & Wildlife Service Piping Plover Recovery Team and one of the principle author’s of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan (PPRP), “It’ll never be what it once was”, sums this up. This disturbing comment was made at a private meeting held by the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association (MBBA) Access Committee in order to identify options that would bring relief to the tens of thousands of displaced “Beach Buggy” enthusiasts that are beginning to feel as if their cultural way of life is coming to an end.

The result of many meetings, thousands of dollars spent and hundreds of hours of research is a plan that has a realistic chance to succeed. Imagine a situation where when possible, vehicles are routed around nesting birds, and after hatched chicks behavioral pattern’s are identified, volunteer escorts, trained by MA Audubon, would assist full time bird monitors and escort vehicles past areas of this activity to open sections of beach. What if our community of beach drivers and suffering local businesses stopped displaying anti Plover stickers and memorabilia, and work together under a joint agreement that results in what is called a “Section 10 Permit” under the Federal Endangered Species Act. MBBA has met with MA Audubon, MA Office of Fish and Wildlife, USF&W and countless others, including contracting the services of the Washington DC law firm of Holland & Knight. The MBBA believes that coexistence with the birds is possible. Federally issued “Section 10 Permits” along with state issued, “Habitat Conservation Permits” (HCP) seem to be the only short term option that will give ORV users some additional access until such a time comes that changes and or amendments are made to Appendix G of the current version of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan.

The real work is to convince the local town governments to buy into this plan, as it is only the landowner that can apply for a “Section 10 permit”. MBBA has worked to set the stage and will be hosting a private meeting of all parties involved in managing our local beaches. We will present the results of our work and offer our available resources to assist Barnstable (Sandy Neck), Dennis (Chapin Beach), Orleans and Chatham (Nauset Beach) to create alternative management schemes that could be approved under a “Section 10 Permit”. ORV enthusiasts should not think this is the end all solution that will immediately open up the beach for the complete season, those days are long gone. However, in the short term, possibly one beach at a time, we can turn the tide on the devastating loss of access seen over the past two years. With each success there will be more pressure for the next beach to try out alternative management, and this is the best option we have discovered.

When it comes to the Cape Cod National Seashore, the level of regulation is very different than our other local beaches. Over the last year, MBBA participated in effecting changes that did open up some additional beach. However, as the protected birds move, so do the closures. We made some gains in the areas of beach access and parking lot access; more so for self contained vehicles and that is a good beginning. The NPS version of a “Section 10 Permit” is called a “Section 7 Consultation”. We have been told that current NPS management is not willing to go down this road for recreational purposes, as this is not what the “Section 7” was meant to be used for. Our best hope for significant gains in access at CCNS is for the plan on our other beaches to succeed, which will hopefully result in new management tools and a change to Appendix G of the current version of the Piping Plover Recovery Plan. If changes are made to this document, then NPS will follow the updated guidelines. Obviously, we will work toward any options that present themselves as we continue our efforts.

For any of this to succeed, ORV users must remember their frustration later in the fall and winter when it is time to support these plans. Without political pressure brought about by the coordinated actions that will be forthcoming, government authorities have no reason to respond to any of our proposals. The best way for those interested in supporting the MBBA and the actions described above is to first, become a member of the MBBA and or donate to the MBBA Legal Fund. This is a pay to play society and it costs dollars to advocate change to the current situation. To keep updated on MBBA activities and to contact the MBBA, please feel free to visit our web site at (www.mbba.net).

Presented by,
Massachusetts Beach Buggy Access Committee

You guys are actually going to let Mass Audobon get their foot in the door on this, and have a role in determining whether we can co-exist with the birdies?

I know what MBBA's position is on co-existence. USF&W has already made theirs clear (reference the first bold highlight). I can imagine what Mass. Audobon will put forth.

IMO you couldn't have picked a worse group to "train" monitors in how to route buggies around plover nests.

But I do agree with paying to play. The guys who bitch the loudest will never pony up the bucks to join MBBA or UMS or any other OSV user group.

Guys, thanks but I am only one of many working on this issue, many deserve credit and any accoladdes and thanks for all the work should go straight to the MBBA as a whole.

You guys are actually going to let Mass Audobon get their foot in the door on this, and have a role in determining whether we can co-exist with the birdies?Mike, MA Audobon is already inside the door on this issue and holds some of the keys. They also already have to programs to assist in "training" pro ORV volunteers in the needed areas

I know what MBBA's position is on co-existence. USF&W has already made theirs clear (reference the first bold highlight). I can imagine what Mass. Audobon will put forth.Beleive it or not, the Access committee members that met with a group of "pro bird" reps reported that MA Audobon was very interested in the coexistance approach and appeas to be willing to assist. Truth is, without getting them involved, there is no hope of improvement.

IMO you couldn't have picked a worse group to "train" monitors in how to route buggies around plover nests.

But I do agree with paying to play. The guys who bitch the loudest will never pony up the bucks to join MBBA or UMS or any other OSV user group.

You mentioned this was a press release- who else was it sent to? Local Papers? Envornmental Journals? National Papers?

DZ

The primary target of the release is the fishing/ORV community as there has been a lot af chatter about how bad things are and we wanted to get word out and inform people of ongoing strategies, not to mention many on this site donated to Karl & Don's "Plugs for Access" and we wanted them to see what their monies are doing (meetings and lawyers are expensive).

We encourage any to copy and paste this release anywhere they feel it is appropriate.