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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) still has not revised its plan to dredge Wreck Pond, leaving the habitat vital to Piping Plover and Least Terns in jeopardy. DEP was carrying out this plan to improve water quality and end beach closings. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended that the NJ DEP put on hold its application to extend the outfall pipe and dredge Wreck Pond until it addresses “concerns and information gaps” in its proposal. Fish and Wildlife Service generally supports NJDEP’s efforts to improve water quality, but some aspects of the state plan may adversely affect habitat for endangered birds, plus plants and fish. The Fish and Wildlife Service said that dredging would negatively impact the sandy shoal foraging habitat for nesting Piping Plovers as well as migratory plovers, terns and Red Knot. The FWS asked for “more detailed justification for the removal of the sandy shallows demonstrating that sandbar removal is essential to improving water quality.” Impact to the federally endangered seabeach amaranth were also of concern. Key recommendations to avoid adverse impacts to birds, fish and other wildlife resources include: considering an open channel as an alternative to the discharge pipe; enhancing Piping Plover habitat by creating back beach access for Piping Plover chicks; and taking immediate action to control nutrients and sediment inputs into Wreck Pond. Assemblyman Sean Kean said he has an open mind; however, he co-sponsored the bill to provide $5 million for the dredging. No date for a local public hearing has been set, although several requests for a hearing have been made. NJ DEP is obligated under law to protect the habitat of endangered species such as Least Tern and Piping Plover, and species of concern such as Red Knot, Black Skimmer, Black-crowned Night Heron and other shorebirds. The Spring Lake Council is calling for dredging of Spring Lake as well as Wreck Pond. Once dredged, experience has shown that coastal ponds become useless to wildlife, especially waterfowl and shorebirds that need the shallow water and tidal sandflats. A
sound management plan for Wreck Pond and Black Creek can be achieved,
but only if enough people demand action to save Wreck Pond. Your letters
or email are urgently needed to save Wreck Pond’s shallow sandy shoals
and island from destruction. Write to Acting Governor Richard Codey (http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html),
DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell (bradley.campbell@dep.state.nj.us)
and your local legislator today to express
your opposition to destroying this vital habitat, which has the potential
to attract more breeding Piping Plovers, migrants and other birds. A viable
plan, which protects endangered species habitat AND controls sources of
contamination, is possible -but this is not it.
Copyright
©2000-2008 Monmouth
County Audubon Society |
