Management of Cape Hatteras National SeashorePlease help ensure that beach driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore is managed in a way that protects natural resources by clicking “yes” below to add your name to the list of scientists endorsing the following letter. Further below the letter are links to the “USGS protocols” to which the letter refers, as well as additional background documents. This letter was originally submitted to the National Park Service decision makers on December 21 with approximately 90 signatories, but we continue to collect signatures to submit to the National Park Service. Thank you! Mr. Michael B. Murray Re: Management of Beach Driving for the Protection of Natural Resources at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Dear Superintendent Murray, An extensive body of scientific literature documents the negative effects of ORVs and associated human disturbances on beaches, shorebirds, waterbirds, sea turtles, and beach habitats. Many studies, along with the guidelines in the applicable conservation plans and recovery plans, recommend specific actions necessary to protect birds, sea turtles, and other natural resources from the impacts of ORVs and other human disturbance. In addition, scientists working for USGS developed specific protocols for management of certain protected species on the Seashore. We urge you to strictly adhere to the expert guidance presented in scientific studies, conservation plans, recovery plans, and recommendations from experts as you develop the regulation for ORV use on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is an important nesting area for shorebirds, waterbirds, and sea turtles in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The Seashore is also a critical migratory stopover and wintering area for North America’s shorebirds and waterbirds that utilize the Atlantic Flyway. But the Seashore is at a critical juncture. The development of a regulation for ORV use will strongly influence the future for shorebirds, waterbirds, sea turtles, and other natural resources that depend on the Seashore’s beaches. In order for shorebirds, waterbirds, and sea turtles to nest successfully on the Seashore’s beaches, the National Park Service must adequately protect nesting adults, their nests, eggs, and chicks or hatchlings, and the habitats they require to meet their energetic and reproductive needs. Birds and sea turtles must have access to appropriate habitats and food resources that are free of vehicles, vehicle ruts, lighting, dogs, and other human disturbances. Equally important, foraging and roosting habitats for migrating and wintering shorebirds and waterbirds must be protected from vehicles and other disturbances. In 2005, USGS contracted with well-respected scientists to develop specific protocols for the protection of nesting colonial waterbirds, American oystercatchers, piping plovers, sea turtles, and seabeach amaranth on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. These protocols present three levels of protection: high, moderate, and minimum. The scientists that developed the protocols state clearly that the minimum level will place species at great risk. The moderate level also places species at risk, but the risk could be greatly reduced with intensive monitoring and immediate protective actions at the first observation of breeding behavior. The moderate level protects species within “focal sites,” but individuals that nest outside of these sites will be subjected to greater disturbance, including nests and chicks being crushed by vehicles and pedestrians, without intensive monitoring and immediate protective actions. In contrast, the scientists conclude that the highest level of protection should result in “limited direct recreational impacts” and would restrict all recreational activity year round at focal sites. We urge the National Park Service to implement the highest level of protection to the extent possible, but certainly no less than the moderate level of protection as described in the USGS protocols. The USGS protocols, if implemented, will provide great improvements for nesting individuals, but they failed to address protection for migrating and wintering birds. The protocols did not address species such as Red Knot (candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act), Sanderling, Willet, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, and Dunlin, among others, that also utilize the ocean beaches and inlets of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. All of these species, the habitats they require, access to these habitats, and the food resources that are essential to meet their energetic needs during migration and winter are jeopardized by ORV use. We are aware that the National Park Service will soon release alternatives and the ‘preferred alternative’ for an ORV management plan for the Seashore. This plan will determine whether or not sensitive species, such as birds and sea turtles, as well as other natural resources are adequately protected within the Seashore. We request that the National Park Service protect birds, sea turtles, and other natural resources from ORV impacts using the best available science and implement no less than the moderate level of protection presented by the USGS protocols. Equally important, we request that you protect key ocean beach and inlet areas, including associated moist substrate habitats, for migrating and wintering shorebirds. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. This letter represents the professional opinions of the following individuals and not the official position of their institutions, agencies, or organizations. Sincerely, Cc: Jonathan Jarvis, Director, National Park Service File: |
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