TAKE ACTION NOW!

WE HOPE THAT THE COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE EXTENDED SO THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO SEND LETTERS.
MANY INDIVIDUALS HAVE COMMENTED ON MIDHUDSONBIRDS ON THE ISSUES AND DETAILS.  MANY JBNHS MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY SENT LETTERS--HOORAY TO THEM.  THE WATERMAN BIRD CLUB IS ALSO ACTIVELY SOLICITING ITS MEMBERS TO SEND THEIR COMMENTS TO THE DEC.   THE AGENCY TO ADDRESS NOW IS:
 
NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters
Attn:  Joseph R Murray
21 South Putt Corners Rd
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845)256-3054
r3dep@gw.dec.state.ny.us
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS OF LOCAL NEWSPAPERS MIGHT ALSO BE HELPFUL--INCLUDING THE DAILY RECORD WHICH IS MORE COMMONLY READ IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTY.

MANY THANKS TO JOHN THOMPSON FOR THE RESEARCH AND WRITING OF THE LETTER WHICH WAS SENT FROM JBNHS.

Joseph R Murray
NYSDEC Region 3 Headquarters
21 South Putt Corners Rd
New Paltz, NY 12561
 
Re:  Application ID:  3-5152-00233/00002
Town of Shawangunk, Galeville Park, 123 Long Ln, Shawangunk, NY 12589
Permit(s) Applied for:  Article 11 Endangered/Threatened Species (Incidental Take)


Dear Mr. Murray, 

     The John Burroughs Natural History Society (JBNHS) is opposed to the Town of Shawangunk’s application for an endangered and threatened species incidental take permit.  Since 1950, members of the JBNHS have joined together to observe and describe the wildlife and ecology of Ulster County.  Throughout our history, the Society has been documenting phenological events and ecological changes in the county, from the Catskills to the Hudson River. Through the seasons and through the years, our goal has been to inspire young and old to observe and appreciate nature.  For twenty-five years our organization has led field trips to the area now known as the Shawangunks Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge (SGNWR)  and we are greatly concerned about the application submitted by the Town of Shawangunk to develop Galeville Park. The effects of that development would be very detrimental to migratory birds that require extensive grassland habitat.

     In addition to JBNHS, over sixteen New York State birding organizations list SGNWR as a destination for their field trips or on their websites as a place to bird.  Many out of state birding groups and their members travel to SGNWR and Galeville Park to observe birds throughout the year. Galeville Park as it currently exists provides a popular access for winter observations of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers.  Putting the bird populations at risk at the National Wildlife Refuge could decrease visitation of birdwatchers to the town.  Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor recreation nationwide.  The 3.8 million birders in New York State generate $1.6 billion in ecotourism revenue every year. 

     We encourage the Town of Shawangunk and surrounding communities to work with birding groups to find better ways to capitalize on the potential revenue stream that such visitors offer.  Also, since so many people use SGNWR and Galeville Park for wildlife observation and since development of the park will have such extensive consequences on this national resource, we request that the comment period be extended. 

     Grasslands birds need large contiguous areas for habitat.   The great loss of large contiguous hayfields and pasture during the Twentieth Century has led to declines in diversity of grassland birds.  There are very few large areas (400+ acres) of maintained fields in the northeast.  Fortunately, the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge has identified grasslands species as a priority for management.  However, incompatible land use adjacent to the refuge can have negative impacts on refuge goals.  It is important that areas adjacent to the Shawangunks Grasslands be managed to support Endangered and Threatened Species habitat year-round.  .

      The plan to develop Galeville Park by the Town of Shawangunk will remove 10 acres of important grassland habitat, compromising the value of the remaining contiguous grasslands for breeding birds and over-wintering species such as Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers.  Also, as described in the application, converting the woodland west of the parking area will not benefit grassland birds, but would create a negative “edge effect” to the grassland, thus increasing predation, removing a noise buffer, and eliminating perching and nesting habitat.  In winter, the eastern red cedars in that woodland area are used by short-eared owls for roosting.  During spring and summer, the narrow hedgerow created by the plan could provide a travel corridor for predators and allow them to move hundreds of feet into fields to predate birds’ nests and thus create a population sink for nesting species.

     Many grassland birds are area sensitive, meaning that they need large areas of unfragmented fields to survive.  A study of Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobolinks and Upland Sandpipers in wet meadows in the Midwest found that grasslands biodiversity was maximized when habitats were greater than 120 acres and edge was minimized.  Constructing four athletic fields in the southern open field not only removes important habitat, but introduces more edge into the present Shawangunk Grasslands habitat. Field edges bring higher predation and parasitism rates on nests and some grassland birds avoid nesting near edges.  The creation of 31 acres of off-site grassland area, across Long Lane, has less value than the habitat being taken away because it is not contiguous to the wildlife refuge and does not meet the habitat requirements of area sensitive species already thriving in the area south of Long Lane.

    
     With 206 proposed parking areas and five proposed large athletic fields, there will be an increase of human disturbance on National Wildlife Refuge property.  An increase in visitation will likely lead to a need for garbage collection on site.  Garbage receptacles attract generalist bird predators such as raccoons, opossums, and skunks.  Removing the woodland west of the parking area will remove a noise buffer and decrease the screening from the road edge, exposing more of the Refuge fields to traffic motion and noise from the road. Human disturbance such as noise and movement can disrupt bird singing behavior and lead to a decrease in the number of nesting territories.    

      For these many reasons, the members of the John Burroughs Natural History Society ask you to reject the permit listed above for the Town of Shawangunk.  And we also ask you to extend the comment period about such development on what is one of the most  important natural areas in Ulster County.                             
                            Sincerely,
                            Lin Fagan, President
                            John Burroughs Natural History Society
                            September 4, 2012