Residents urged to give input on Hook assessment

At 2.5 million visitors, the 1992 endangered species management plan for Sandy Hook is a disaster and needs major reassessment, with piping plovers not reproducing sufficiently, and terns and oyster catchers having no productivity due to predation.

Among the predators are 250 feral cats, deer, muskrats, and foxes. The fox focuses on the enclosures around the piping plover nests, but refuse to go after chicken eggs placed there. The foxes are removed by trapping, but only when productivity declines below 1.5 chicks. There are also rats on the bay side in the rock walls.

The osprey nests are not doing well either, as only six have reproduced in the last five years.

Not discussed at the recent presentation was the impact of a new 600-car parking lot, and how close it would be to the nesting areas. How many more visitors would there be?

The consultant's presentation ignored the probable 65-foot bridge to the mainland and its impact. Sea Bright has a "smart growth" plan that expects the state may choose to expand Route 36 through Sea Bright to tour lanes due to increased traffic.

How will these increase visits impact Sandy Hook?

The presentation did mention that the Parks Department people "will monitor" the piping plover nests near where the wind surfers and kite sailors hang out. "High tides twice a month impact these nesting areas." There is no impact study.

Presented were three scenarios: plan a - do nothing. Plan b - make modest changes, and plan c - close off the fishermen's trail and bayside fishing access where necessary to save the piping plover nesting areas.

Plan c was deemed too stringent and sure to cause contention, so the consultant suggested plan b.

The National Park Service wants your input. Comments on the Threatened and Endangered Species Management Plan Environmental Assessment will be accepted through April 13, and may be made online at the PEPC Web site. Written comments may be sent to Superintendent, Sandy Hook Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 530, Fort Hancock 07732.

If you care about Sandy Hook, please let them know.

Margaret S. Lyford

Sea Bright