Dear All: Just a reminder that the deadline *(October 2nd 2013)* for the comment period on the GMP (General Management Plan) submitted by the GNRA (Gateway National Recreation Area) is fast approaching.
If you have not done so as yet, I urge you take a moment to submit your comments ASAP. It has been 30 years since the last GMP and I don't have to spell out what it means once this new plan is in place. I have provided some steps to follow in accessing the document. I have also copied and pasted Doug Futuyma's very detailed steps and recommendations on how to submit comments. 1. I suggest reading chapter 2 of the plan, "Management Alternatives" ( http://www.nps.gov/gate/parkmgmt/upload/GNRA-GMP-EIS-Chapter-2-July-201 3-1.pdf) The complete plan can be accessed here http://www.nps.gov/gate/parkmgmt/planning.htm 2. As you read chapter two, pay close attention to the Management Alternatives. Especially, B vs C. Also, take a look at the "Management Zoning." 3. When you are ready to submit your comments, go to the following URL - http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=54826 Participation from you will give voice to our community, ensuring that NPS management see how connected you are with the use of "Natural Resources" at Gateway. *See below instructions from Doug Futuyma submitted on September 13th. * This message is posted with permission of the List Owner of NYSBird-L. Please DO NOT post comments or questions on the list serve; if you wish to, please DO send comments to Doug at [email protected]. Doug Futuyma Dear Fellow Birders, As you know, the West Pond of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, which left a breach in the dike. The West Pond has been almost birdless since then. The Refuge lies within the Gateway National Recreation Area (GNRA), under the National Park Service (NPS). Gateway has released a set of Alternative Plans for the entire GNRA, including the Refuge, that will determine whether or not this nationally and internationally renowned site will be recreated as a suitable resource for birds and birders. It is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT that birders and others concerned with conservation of natural environments register their opinion with the management of GNRA, before an October 2 deadline. When JBWR was created in the 1950's, it was a freshwater pond with cattails and breeding species such as Common Moorhen, American Coot, Virginia Rail, Sora, Least Bittern, Ruddy Duck, and Swamp Sparrow, some of which breed rarely or not at all elsewhere in the NYC region. The margins hosted abundant, diverse shorebirds in season. By the 1970's, due to a broken and unrepaired valve, it became increasingly brackish, and the breeding species I mentioned bred no longer. Still, it has remained a major resting or foraging habitat for terns, Black Skimmers, herons, Glossy Ibis, and many species of waterfowl. Many of us feel that it is essential that it be reconstructed as a freshwater pond, in something much like the original form. The *highest priority must be to repair the breach,* *very soon*, and to initiate the process of *returning it to fresh water*. GNRA has been granted significant funds for Sandy recovery, but they must be used within 3 years of the date of allocation. Some of us are extremely concerned that (1) the GNRA might adopt a plan that is incompatible with the function of a Wildlife Refuge; (2) the Refuge might not be high enough on their priority list for expenditure and effort; or (3) they might not implement the restoration while funds are still available. A few days ago, I attended an open house with Gateway personnel at JBWR on Tuesday. Also present were Harry Maas (president of New York City Audubon), Rob Bate (president of the Brooklyn Bird Club), Andrew Baksh, and Lloyd Spitalnik. Based on what we learned there, I wish to make several important points. Perhaps the most important is #4 below, on HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS. 1. The MOST IMPORTANT thing to do is to send comments to Gateway about their Management Plan (GMP) BEFOREOCTOBER 2. 2. There is reason to think they will actually take comments into account, IF they are SUBSTANTIVE. Don't just send a rant; give them good reasons why preservation of the Wildlife Refuge as a freshwater pond, in its original state, is really important -as well as preservation of the rest of the Refuge, including East Pond and salt marsh (asuming you agree with these goals). Possible talking points include: this is almost the only coastal standing fresh water in the NYC area; the Refuge, even though it hasn't had really fresh water for a long time, nevertheless supports a huge variety of migratory birds, of breeding species (although lacking important species that nested there when it was fresh), and great numbers and variety of wintering and migratory waterfowl; it is famous throughout the U.S. and internationally, and is visited by great numbers of birders and other nature enthusiasts, both local and visiting; it provides an invaluable asset for education in natural ecosystems and conservation, with the NYC skyline as a backdrop, to an urban population. It is also important to say that AS A REFUGE, THE WELFARE OF WILDLIFE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH SUCH RECREATIONAL USES AS BOATING, PICNICKING, AND (add as you will). 3. WHY IS THIS URGENT? The official plan options (which you can find on the Web at www.nps.gov/gate) are Alternatives A (No Action -- not under serious consideration), B (Discovering Gateway: NPS Preferred), and C (Experiencing Preserved Places). You can tell by titles that *C is what you might prefer*, but note that *B is the officially Preferred Plan*. That is what they want and will do unless we can help to convince them otherwise. *Alternative B, the "NPS Preferred", emphasizes recreation above all else*. In both B and C, areas are assigned to several types of zones, such as Historic, Recreation, and Natural, and the zonation maps for B and C plans look almost identical. BUT the activities permitted or encouraged in a zone differ greatly. For JBWR, assigned to the Natural Zone and Sensitive Resources Area Subzone, the condensed version of Plan B says, "The refuge would remain a popular destination for nature study, environmental education, and nature-based interpretation while offering considerably more opportunities for nature-based and water-based recreation." (That means kayaking, at the least.) It goes on to describe increased educational programs, expanded network of trails, boardwalks, and blinds, and connection with other GNRA sites , such as "water-based shuttles" between the Refuge and "the proposed wetlands interpretive center at Floyd Bennett Field." (The proposal to develop a wetland habitat at FBF sounds good, but we need to be sure they don't SUBSTITUTE it for the Refuge.) The condensed plan I picked up at the meeting does not describe the plan for JBWR in the description of Alternative C! The overall description of Alternative C, though, talks about "the most opportunities for independent exploration and "wild" experiences...natural systems receive the highest level of preservation and restoration in this alternative..." 4. HOW TO SEND COMMENTS: THIS IS NOT OBVIOUS!!!! There is no email address for sending comments. You have to go though a series of steps on the Gateway web site, and it really looks as if they are making it as hard as they can. Here are the steps: 1. Go to http://www.nps.gov/gate , find "A New Vision ...General Management Plan", and click on "Read more". 2. You are on the "Park Planning" page. Click on the highlighted word "here" in the middle of the third paragraph of text. (If you didn't look carefully, you would never notice it.) 3. On the "General Management Plan" page, click on "Open for Comment" in the list at the left. 4. On the "Documents Open for Review" page, click "Gateway National Recreation Area Draft GMP/EIS". 5. On the "GRNA Draft GMS/EIS" page, click "Comment on Document". You have finally arrived, and can type your comments into several boxes headed by questions. I'm told that a box will expand to accommodate your text, even if it is quite long. If you do write a long comment, though, be sure that you make your main points clearly, succinctly, and emphatically at the very start, and say that you will elaborate below. They might not read your whole letter if it is long, plus you want to motivate them to read it by catching their attention with a compelling statement at the start. OK, this message has become much too long. Please do send them your comments!! The future of one of our most important birding areas is at stake. Thanks, Doug Futuyma Stony Brook and New York [email protected] -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
