VB... Plovers are no longer on the endangered list, they have been upgraded to the Threatened list for the last couple of years. No matter where they set the numbers of breading pairs, once that figure is met, the orginazations paying for the studies, manage to get the numbers increased. The state announced earlier this year they will no longer fund protecting Plovers for this reason... MA Audobon, (which is not affiliated,or sanctioned with National Audobon, or any other Audobon group), said they would fund the money instead. It is not, nor has it ever been about the birds, I have been told this angrily to my face in a parking lot, outside of a public hearing, that did not quite go the way the anti- groups wanted. The next tool in the arsenal, to get access closed to vehicles and foot traffic will be the wrack line. The 1999 report I mentioned has the first mentioned studies of the wrack line, and impact studies. My prediction is that this issue, will come more to the fore, as the Plovers continue on their comeback.
I do not hate Plovers, or any other species... I have set more than my share of exclosures, set many a fence line, and even helped erect closed area fence, as well as "symbolic" fence. I just do not "get" why some of these people who clame to love life so much, put people and their rights last. Especially when they cannot support all of their arguements.
I do agree that Man has created more than his share of problems, but the last time I checked we were at the top of the food chain, it is up to us then, to maintain, and control what goes on out there.
Enuf , this dead horse been beat too much.
