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breachwalker, sorry to hear about the great point closure. i am not sure if you or the law enforcement up there want to push the issue, but usf&w can only close the beach once the birds hatch for only 25 days or until the chicks fledge (fly), whatever comes first. i'd mark that day and then ask questions. you can't beat them now, but it is in their rules.
although the plover is threatened, it is still on the endangered species act. the plovers are divided into 3 groups or regions - atlantic coast, great lakes, and great plains populations. the great lakes pop is endangered. the other 2 are threatened. they will continue to be on the endangered species act until both the numbers increase and the species has 5 (i believe it is) consecutive years of successful breeding seasons. one year messes up the average. if north carolina has a bad year and mass has a record year, we all suffer for the one bad state. it's a very, very difficult issue.
for 2001, the atlantic coast population of the plover was tallied at 1525 breeding pairs.
you will not beat usf&w, so it's useless to argue and fight, to a degree. but, you can work with them and get the bird out of this situation. the bird will be around for a long time. so will the people w/ the money to donate towards their survival.
wow, smith's is almost an island now? been a few years since i've been there. i'd hate to see another channel w/ smith's being an island now.
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