A Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Chincoteague and Wallops National Wildlife Refuges Has Been Released - May 2014

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released for public review and comment, a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Chincoteague and Wallops National Wildlife Refuges. The public comment period ends on July 15, 2014.

The draft CCP/EIS details three differing management alternatives that were evaluated by the FWS. Eventually the FWS will select one of the three alternatives. The selected alternative will guide management of the Chincoteague and Wallops National Wildlife Refuges for the next 15 years.

The Alternatives

The following is a very brief, high-level description of the three alternatives. Full descriptions of the three alternatives can be found in Chapter 2 of the draft CCP/EIS. Please see the "Related Links" section below.

Alternative A: Current Management

Alternative A continues current management and describes existing habitat management and public use and access established by the 1992/1993 Master Plan and EIS. Alternative A serves as a baseline for comparing alternatives B and C.

Alternative B: Balanced Approach

Alternative B is the Fish & Wildlife Service's preferred alternative. This alternative balances habitat management with public use and access. FWS would continue to manage habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, song birds, other migratory birds, and threatened and endangered species. FWS would also enhance and expand some public use opportunities, as well as construct a new joint FWS and NPS visitor contact station. Under alternative B, FWS would also relocate the recreational beach and parking area 1.5 miles north. 961 parking spaces would be maintained.

Alternative C: Reduced Disturbance

Alternative C would direct staffing and funding towards maximizing habitat and wildlife management strategies. As a result of prioritizing habitat and wildlife management, some public use activities and access would be reduced. Similar to alternative B, a joint FWS and NPS contact station is proposed and the recreational beach would be relocated 1.5 miles north. However, under alternative C, fewer parking spaces would be provided.

More About Alternative B

As mentioned above, Alternative B is the Fish & Wildlife Service's preferred alternative. Some aspects of Alternative B relating to recreational and commercial use are highlighted below. Full descriptions of the three alternatives can be found in Chapter 2 of the draft CCP/EIS. Please see the "Related Links" section below.

Recreational Beach at Chincoteague NWR

• Relocate the 1-mile recreational beach and parking 1.5 miles north of existing beach (The parking lot would be less prone to over-wash in this area). Provide parking spaces for 961 vehicles (8.5 acres). Continue to allow NPS to manage the recreational beach.
• Allow hiking/intertidal zone access north of recreational beach. Allow pedestrian access south of recreational beach outside of breeding season, between approximately September 16 and March 14.

Fishing and OSV Use

• Beach Road would be closed to public access after the pony viewing area, and a new canoe and kayak launch area, a wildlife viewing area and a new crabbing pier would be built at its terminus.
• Develop a new designated area for fishing from south of the relocated recreational beach for approximately 0.5 miles that includes OSV parking.
• Expand OSV zone, continue to keep open from September 16 to March 14. Close OSV zone to public access March 15 to September 15 or thereafter, until last shorebird fledges.

Horseback Riding

• Allow horseback riding within OSV zone, and develop horse-trailer parking area.

Pony Management

• Implement revised Chincoteague pony management plan, and continue to allow for current pony population of up to 150.
• Work with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department to create new Pony viewing area(s) associated with the new recreational beach.

Hunting

• Maintain current big game and migratory bird hunting on Chincoteague NWR.
• Maintain current big game hunting on Wallops Island NWR.
• Introduce non-migratory Canada goose and light goose hunting within Assateague Island impoundments.
• Add mourning dove hunting in areas outside of Assateague Island, and add turkey to big game for youth hunting.
• Pursue opening for fox and raccoon hunting on Assateague Island.

Access for Space Tourism Viewing

• FWS would work with the tourism industry, NASA, and the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport to provide access to the refuge for public viewing of rocket launches from the NASA-Wallops Island launch complex. The carrying capacity of parking areas for this purpose would need to be defined once the alternative decision is made.

Commercial Uses

• Although commercial harvest of horseshoe crabs has been a traditional use, it has never been sanctioned on the refuge. FWS has determined that the commercial harvest of horseshoe crabs on refuge lands does not contribute to the refuge's migratory bird purpose and is not an appropriate use of the refuge. Consequently, the use will not be permitted.

How to Provide Comments

FWS invites you to share your comments about the draft plan in writing or in person at a public meeting. They will accept letters, faxes, and e-mails. To be considered, all comments must be received or postmarked by July 15, 2014. Please put "Chincoteague NWR CCP" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Public Meetings

FWS will have three open house events where individuals can ask questions about the CCP. They will also hold a formal public hearing where oral comments will be recorded on June 26, 2014.

Open Houses Dates and Times

Public Hearing Date and Time

People with disabilities who need special assistance to participate in these meetings, please contact refuge staff at 757/336-6122 or the Federal Relay Service at 1-866-377-8642. Requests for accommodations should be made at least 5 days in advance.

Related Links

Click here to download the FWS newsletter/summary of the draft CCP/EIS

Click here to download the entire Draft CCP/EIS for Chincoteague and Wallops Island NWRs (50 MB)

Click here to download individual chapters and appendixes of the Draft CCP/EIS

Click here to go to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's CCP web page

A CD-ROM or hard copy also may be requested by email, northeastplanning@fws.gov, or phone, 757-336-6122.

This article was published by Chincoteague.com on 5/16/2014.
Receive more articles like this one, delivered to you, by subscribing to our RSS Feed!