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Karl F · 06-25-2006, 09:34 AM

Mr. Price's viewpoint, as published in this weeks CCTimes...

June 24, 2006

In defense of the piping plover
By GEORGE E. PRICE JR.
We are in the middle of the piping plover nesting season. To some, it is a time to celebrate an environmental success story; to others it's a cause for frustration and economic loss.

In 1986, the piping plover was listed as ''threatened'' by the federal government. That meant the bird would be protected while it nested on beaches, such as Cape Cod, and raised its young along the ''wrack'' line and among retreating waves.

But the environment the plover calls home puts these tiny birds directly in the path of people trying to enjoy the same beaches, especially those of us with off-road vehicles (ORV). And the need to protect the birds and their nests has ramifications not just for those on four wheels, but for hikers, dog walkers - even kite flyers.

As someone whose previous experience with Cape beaches and shorebirds has been as a ''happy end user'' - as a visitor and bird watcher - I am now experiencing a crash course in beach management, legal responsibilities, bird behavior, and the impact of it all on hundreds of visitors.

The conflict is simple: The land where people want to be is the same land these birds depend on for their survival. The piping plover's nests and eggs are almost impossible to see to the untrained eye. The chicks are described as ''cotton balls on tooth picks.'' When approached by a dog or kite, the adult identifies them as predators and behaves accordingly by leaving the nest to distract the predator, which means the eggs are not covered or the chicks are not fed. If this happens on a hot day in sunlight, the eggs can ''cook'' in minutes. If the chicks are feeding as a vehicle approaches, they ''hunker down'' to the lowest area on the beach. This area is often a footprint or tire track of a previous traveler. This is often where the tiny remains are found.

Very often, environmental news is bad: Disappearing rain forests, drained marshes, leveled forests and threatened open space. The evolving success of piping plover recovery is a real success story, one we can be proud of right here on the Cape. In 20 years, we have cultivated tremendous progress in their local recovery. And I mean we - all the towns on the Cape which have nesting shorebirds; all the off-road drivers who have respected the nesting areas; all the beachgoers who have been careful not to disrupt the bird families; the leadership from the state and U.S. Fish & Wildlife services and the dedicated individuals who spend a tremendous number of hours focusing on bird survival and human interaction.

The closures are temporary. Unless there is re-nesting due to late storms, the period of concern is about four weeks. ORV permit holders on the National Seashore drove the beaches from April 15 to June 11, when we needed to close the ORV corridor. We expect it will reopen by mid-July and will remain open through Nov. 15. We will honor the ORV permits as day passes at the three Seashore beaches in Truro and Provincetown during this closure.

I have had people ask why affected areas cannot be shared by people and the birds. People can still access all public National Seashore beaches where fencing and signs identify bird nesting areas. It's the vehicle access areas that are affected.

I could seek permission for a program that allows for a certain amount of ''take.'' I learned that ''take'' means dead birds. I don't believe the people who support the Cape Cod National Seashore want the National Park Service to allow for ''take'' when the species' survival remains threatened. By sharing the beach now, and putting up with this temporary ORV closure, we are all helping to ensure that plovers will be here for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

George E. Price Jr. is the superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

(Published: June 24, 2006)

I think you can get a good sense of what side of the fence he is camped on.
Yes, email, write or call him, but remember the law comes from the top, it is up to him to enforce it, as he sees fit. Even with the parameters that allow him some flexibility, he will go on the extreme side for the birds, not the people. Keep Pestering your Senators, and Congressmen too.

06-25-2006, 09:34 AM	#10
Karl F Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 5,945	Mr. Price's viewpoint, as published in this weeks CCTimes... June 24, 2006 In defense of the piping plover By GEORGE E. PRICE JR. We are in the middle of the piping plover nesting season. To some, it is a time to celebrate an environmental success story; to others it's a cause for frustration and economic loss. In 1986, the piping plover was listed as ''threatened'' by the federal government. That meant the bird would be protected while it nested on beaches, such as Cape Cod, and raised its young along the ''wrack'' line and among retreating waves. But the environment the plover calls home puts these tiny birds directly in the path of people trying to enjoy the same beaches, especially those of us with off-road vehicles (ORV). And the need to protect the birds and their nests has ramifications not just for those on four wheels, but for hikers, dog walkers - even kite flyers. As someone whose previous experience with Cape beaches and shorebirds has been as a ''happy end user'' - as a visitor and bird watcher - I am now experiencing a crash course in beach management, legal responsibilities, bird behavior, and the impact of it all on hundreds of visitors. The conflict is simple: The land where people want to be is the same land these birds depend on for their survival. The piping plover's nests and eggs are almost impossible to see to the untrained eye. The chicks are described as ''cotton balls on tooth picks.'' When approached by a dog or kite, the adult identifies them as predators and behaves accordingly by leaving the nest to distract the predator, which means the eggs are not covered or the chicks are not fed. If this happens on a hot day in sunlight, the eggs can ''cook'' in minutes. If the chicks are feeding as a vehicle approaches, they ''hunker down'' to the lowest area on the beach. This area is often a footprint or tire track of a previous traveler. This is often where the tiny remains are found. Very often, environmental news is bad: Disappearing rain forests, drained marshes, leveled forests and threatened open space. The evolving success of piping plover recovery is a real success story, one we can be proud of right here on the Cape. In 20 years, we have cultivated tremendous progress in their local recovery. And I mean we - all the towns on the Cape which have nesting shorebirds; all the off-road drivers who have respected the nesting areas; all the beachgoers who have been careful not to disrupt the bird families; the leadership from the state and U.S. Fish & Wildlife services and the dedicated individuals who spend a tremendous number of hours focusing on bird survival and human interaction. The closures are temporary. Unless there is re-nesting due to late storms, the period of concern is about four weeks. ORV permit holders on the National Seashore drove the beaches from April 15 to June 11, when we needed to close the ORV corridor. We expect it will reopen by mid-July and will remain open through Nov. 15. We will honor the ORV permits as day passes at the three Seashore beaches in Truro and Provincetown during this closure. I have had people ask why affected areas cannot be shared by people and the birds. People can still access all public National Seashore beaches where fencing and signs identify bird nesting areas. It's the vehicle access areas that are affected. I could seek permission for a program that allows for a certain amount of ''take.'' I learned that ''take'' means dead birds. I don't believe the people who support the Cape Cod National Seashore want the National Park Service to allow for ''take'' when the species' survival remains threatened. By sharing the beach now, and putting up with this temporary ORV closure, we are all helping to ensure that plovers will be here for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. George E. Price Jr. is the superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore. (Published: June 24, 2006) I think you can get a good sense of what side of the fence he is camped on. Yes, email, write or call him, but remember the law comes from the top, it is up to him to enforce it, as he sees fit. Even with the parameters that allow him some flexibility, he will go on the extreme side for the birds, not the people. Keep Pestering your Senators, and Congressmen too.