FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Supporting Open Dialogue

[Daffny_Jones_Hoskie@xxxxxxx]

Thanks Paula for your support in keeping our dialogue open and positive.
If the listserve would indulge me one last time, I will try to make this as
brief as possible.  Also, if anyone would like to have continued dialogue
after this email, please contact me directly.  I would love to hear from
you.

Gate Hours of Operation:
Occoquan Bay NWR is open seven days a week.  From Oct1 - March 31 the gates
operate from 7am-5pm...From Apr1-Sept30 the gates operate from 7am-7pm.  On
the March 31st (this past Saturday) the gates closed at 5pm.  The only time
the gates are closed are (1) if we are conducting a management action that
could possibly create safety concerns for our visitors (2) if there is
inclement weather and safety of the visitors could be compromised (3) if
there is a gate malfunction and we have not made it to OB to fix the gate
or we are unable to fix the gate due to the technical aspects of the gate

The Area Normally Closed to the Public:
The area in question is the area that serves as the bird banding area, as
opposed to the area that crosses the field, although both are closed.  The
field will grow back up this summer and there will be no issues there.  The
strip was mowed through the field to facilitate the annual Fall Festival.
It provided a short cut to the bird banding station. Back to the site that
Mr. Kelly was contacted - the bird banding volunteer let Mr. Kelly know
that the area was closed - as it is all the time.  Just as Mr. Kelly
explained, we were in the process of hosting an annual clean-up event and
the volunteers he noticed meandering in the area had trash bags and were
with two leaders for that clean up crew.  The clean up crew was tasked with
cleaning the area adjacent to the bird banding nets and were closely
supervised.  This was the first year this clean up occurred during
beautiful weather since its start 11yrs ago.  We now see a need to ensure
that visitors using the trails the day of the clean-up have additional
information so as to not be confused about what trails are open and what
trails aren't open.  We would not have realized that without your comments
and we thank you for them.  I will also make a mental not to post the
clean-up on the list serve.  The individuals I heard from that day informed
me that the birding opportunities were few and far between due to the
cleanup activity.

The Locust Road Closure:
Locust Road is closed to pedestrian traffic for safety reasons.  The hard
right curve serves as a blind spot and is a serious safety concern for the
refuge.  That is why we have closed Locust Road and rerouted all foot
traffic along Bayview Rd.  Locust Road is vehicular traffic only and can be
used by bikes, vehicles and motorcycles.  Signage is on its way.

Special Use Permit and User Fees:
I don't believe this process will change in the near future.  The fee
program will continue to operate as is and will continue to facilitate
groups as such.  I am so sorry that the fees have deterred some groups from
visiting.  I have provided the Special Use Permit information in this forum
before and I am sure you all have heard enough.  I would encourage anyone
who wants to bring out a group to continue doing so.  The permit could be
written for Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck as well as Occoquan Bay and the
permit can be written for several trips at both refuges for one small fee.
If you want to know more about it, just give me a call or send me an email.
There is a way that all could benefit.  As stated before, we are not
targeting birders - the permit is required for any group of 10 or more
people.

Thanks again for all your time and I apologize for the amount of emails
that have come out due to the earlier misunderstanding.  Please - if anyone
would like to talk further, learn more about the refuge, or if you ever
have any concerns regarding any of the refuges...I am just a phone call or
email away.



Daffny Jones Hoskie
Assistant Manager
Potomac River NWR Complex
14344 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA  22191
(703)490-4979
(703)490-5631 [Fax]

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