Hi all, this is the NPS response I was referring to in my post yesterday. Thanks to Arie for posting it here.
-------- Original Message -------- From: Arie Gilbert <ariegilb...@optonline.net> Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2015 02:03 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L <NYSBIRDS-L@cornell.edu> Subject: [nysbirds-l] The Wildlife Refuge East Pond >All > >I just received the following response from Dave Taft at NPS regarding >the East Pond. > >Arie Gilbert >President - Queens County Bird Club, Inc >http://www.qcbirdclub.org > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Dear Mr. Gilbert - > >Thank you for writing regarding your concern for the high water levels >at the East Pond of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. > >We have also noted these higher water levels and are working to address >the problem. > >The pond levels are measured by a gauge at the north end of the >pond. Currently there seems to be a discrepancy between the gauge >numbers and the resulting mudflats. Similar numbers in past years would >have resulted in fair sized mudflats – in fact, this year’s readings >place the pond level lower than three of the past five years. We can >see this is not the case. > >The park is working on long term and short term solutions. Most >immediately, the entrance to the pond valve has been cleared, and the >outflow valve manually expanded. Obstructions have been cleared, and >significant amounts of debris have been removed. This has improved >water flow significantly. We are monitoring water levels daily and we >hope to have reached suitable water levels in the next few weeks, in >time for a significant part of the shorebird season, and in time for the >shorebird festival on August 29. > >The park is also addressing more long term solutions to this issue and >we hope to incorporate your expertise. We will be in touch regarding >potential assistance. > >The park recognizes the significance of the East Pond for shorebird >migration, as well as its significant history providing naturalists and >birdwatchers a truly unique experience worthy of the National Park >Service in New York City. > >We will provide follow up when further information is available. > >Sincerely, > >Dave Taft > >Coordinator, Jamaica Bay > >Gateway National Recreation Area > > > > > >-- > >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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ > >-- -- 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/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/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/ --
