Temporary Closure of ORV Zone Announced to Protect Piping Plovers and Other Nesting S

[Sam]

News Release
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 62
Chincoteague, VA 23336
Telephone: (757) 336-6122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 31, 2007
Contact: Lou Hinds, Refuge Manager

Temporary Closure of ORV Zone Announced to Protect Piping Plovers and Other Nesting Shorebirds
According to Lou Hinds, Refuge Manager at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the ORV Zone, an area of beach designated for four-wheel drive vehicle use with a permit, will be closed to all public use starting June 4 in order to protect piping plover chicks in addition to other nesting shorebirds. The Atlantic Coast population of piping plovers has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1986. The beach will reopen to the public after all young birds are able to fly.

“The needs of wildlife come first on all national wildlife refuges,” said Hinds. “On Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, piping plover management dictates that we protect these threatened shorebirds during the breeding season.” This temporary closure is required by the Biological Opinion completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2001 that outlines the parameters to manage piping plovers and other uses on the refuge.

The refuge, having been designated a Globally Important Bird Area, is part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and designated as one of the top ten birding hotspots by the National Audubon Society. The primary mission of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is to protect migratory birds and other native wildlife and the habitats they depend upon. When compatible with the needs of wildlife, the refuge accommodates wildlife-dependent recreation.

“I believe these measures, coupled with the continued cooperation of the community and our visitors, will ensure the future success of piping plovers in Virginia and will help achieve the goal of increasing the overall population,” said Hinds. Refuge staff will monitor the area to make any necessary adjustments to the closure. For more information, please contact the refuge at 757-336-6122.

[Sam]

The USFWS announced today that they will be closing the Virginia area of the Oversand Vehicle Route on Monday, June 4th. At noon today, we were forced to close the last 500 yards of the Maryland end of the Oversand Vehicle zone just before the State Line fence as well.

[Sam]

As a result of this past weekend’s storm activity, some Piping Plover nests were lost. The NPS has RE-OPENED the OSV zone in Virginia for approximately ¼ mile (to post E). This area will close again around June 23rd, which is the date the remaining nests are expected to hatch. The Maryland end remains closed for the last 200 yards of the OSV Zone. The situation is being closely monitored and will be reopened as soon as possible.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Due to a large number of complaints, the NPS is cleaning the Bull Pen with plows and a beach sweeper to remove debris. Please help keep the Bull Pen clean by picking up any trash or debris and do not throw anything but wood in your campfires. Please put trash in the proper containers. Also please be aware that due to the cleaning process, the area will not be as compact as usual. Be extra careful not to get stuck.

[lookinbeachie]

Originally Posted by Sam

As a result of this past weekend’s storm activity, some Piping Plover nests were lost. The NPS has RE-OPENED the OSV zone in Virginia for approximately ¼ mile (to post E). This area will close again around June 23rd, which is the date the remaining nests are expected to hatch. The Maryland end remains closed for the last 200 yards of the OSV Zone. The situation is being closely monitored and will be reopened as soon as possible.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Due to a large number of complaints, the NPS is cleaning the Bull Pen with plows and a beach sweeper to remove debris. Please help keep the Bull Pen clean by picking up any trash or debris and do not throw anything but wood in your campfires. Please put trash in the proper containers. Also please be aware that due to the cleaning process, the area will not be as compact as usual. Be extra careful not to get stuck.

Sam,
Thanks for the info. on the bullpen! Glad to hear they are cleaning it up... it sure needs it!
What cleaning up we do just isn't enough!
Dianne

[Sam]

Originally Posted by lookinbeachie

Sam,
Thanks for the info. on the bullpen! Glad to hear they are cleaning it up... it sure needs it!
What cleaning up we do just isn't enough!
Dianne

I saw the big tractors out there on Monday cleaning up things. There were also some heading down south.

[Critter Gitter]

Thats good news. Noticed there are wooden poles or maybe old fenceposts sticking up right in the middle. Surpised nobodies tires got nailed.

[Steve]

I would love to see them take the scooper/sifters all up and down. The amount of debris with nails is BAD!
But, I guess that wouldn't go over too well if the Plovers are nesting above the last 2oo yards.