Subject: IMPORTANT re Jamaica Bay West Pond From: Douglas Futuyma Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:16:45 -0400 X-Message-Number: 3 The period from now until July 30 is extremely important for birders to communicate their feeling about restoring the West Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting public opinion for an Environmental Assessment (EA) of several designs that they will soon receive from the consulting firm they have engaged. A "scoping meeting" will be held THIS THURSDAY, July 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Refuge Visitors' Center. It is OPEN TO ALL interested parties. It is important that birders show their concern by attending, and by being UNITED on a few fundamental points: that the Pond be restored to a freshwater pond, as large as possible; that it include a functional valve system to regulate water level; that the Terrapin Trail area be restored to its former state as a habitat for nesting terns (and diamondback terrapins); and that the Refuge be assigned active, informed management personnel. The NPS has a Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website, and invites public comments UNTIL JULY 30. The NPS takes such input very seriously, and has in the past altered decisions on that basis. The online PETITION to restore the West Pond, which many of us have signed, will be an important contribution; if you have not yet signed it, please do, at www.tinyurl.com/west-pond-petition. Also, please send a PERSONAL MESSAGE directly to the PEPC website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or by post to Gateway National Recreation Area, Attn: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge West Pond EA Comment, 210 New York Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. The NPS announcement about Thursday's scoping meeting and the PEPC site is copied below. Let us all make one more effort on behalf of a resource that has been so important to our community and to the birds and other wildlife about which we care! Thanks, Doug Futuyma Stony Brook and New York Subject: Scoping Notice- Environmental Assessment, Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, West Pond To: Dear Sir/Madam, The National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration - Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) in support of a proposed project to address damage that resulted from a breach that occurred at West Pond in conjunction with Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Federal emergency declarations stemming from the damage suffered along the Atlantic Coast during Hurricane Sandy entitle eligible projects such as this one at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Gateway National Recreation Area, New York to receive relief through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned (ERFO) Road program. Maps of the region and project area are attached (Figures 1 and 2). The purpose of this project as currently defined is to provide for environmentally sensitive and resilient condition and enhanced visitor experiences along the West Pond Trail area that support a diversity of Jamaica Bay habitats and wildlife. The goals of the project are to improve existing conditions and visitor experience at West Pond to restore both the natural resource values of the West Pond, as well as visitor access and public educational opportunities in a manner that is effective and sustainable into the future. Goals include providing a sound basis for adaptive management, and protective design elements to promote future desired resource conditions and sustainable management. This project is needed because: - The area around the breach and the portion of the trail that crosses the embankment are not currently safe for public access. - The existing breach condition is vulnerable to reoccurring storm activity and susceptible to future damage from erosion. - To increase universal visitor access and provide the opportunity to view wildlife, enjoy the Jamaica Bay, and learn about the resources. - To ensure that the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge provides habitat that supports a diversity of species, in a resilient and sustainable environment. The NPS is currently soliciting scoping comments from interested agencies, groups, and individuals and encourages your participation throughout the planning process. The NPS encourages your participation throughout the planning process. A public scoping meeting will be held July 17, 2014 from 6:00- 8:00 PM at the following location: Gateway National Recreation Area Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Cross Bay Boulevard Queens, New York There will be two opportunities to comment on the project -- once during the initial project scoping and again following release of the EA. The NPS is currently in the scoping phase of the proposed project and invites the public to submit written suggestions, comments and concerns regarding the project online at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/gate. Comments also may be sent to the address below no later than July 30, 2014. Gateway National Recreation Area ATTN: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, West Pond EA Comments 210 New York Avenue Staten Island, New York 10305
Monday, July 14, 2014
Jamaica Bay Refuge 7/17 hearing dates and appeal
From Doug Futuyuma post NYSBIRDS Listserve on Jamaica bay refuge west pond breach public hearing and comments period, etc
