[TN-Bird] Merritt Island NWR problems; local birds

Good Morning TN-Birders & Friends,
Although most of this is NOT about Tennessee birds, I think it is  
appropriate to post since so many of us DO go birding in Florida including  
Merritt 
Island National Wildlife Refuge, and, therefore, do have an interest in  this 
matter.  I grew up birding on Merritt Island, the former home of the  now 
extinct 
dusky seaside sparrow, and I visited the refuge when I was down  there in 
2006.  I will be most distressed if NASA gets its way on this  matter.  I truly 
enjoyed my birdwatching in all those areas which I have  enjoyed since I was a 
teenager just starting my birding hobby.  Please help  keep it open to birders 
by voicing some opposition if you can.
Call Florida Senator Bill Nelson's office at (202) 224-5274 or E-Mail him  at
_http://billnelson.http://billhttp://billnelhtt_ 
(http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm) 
 
Nelson lives in South Brevard County, and the refuge is in North Brevard  
County.  Keep in mind, though, that he is very pro-NASA and was once a  
civilian 
"guest" astronaut who went up on a space flight with them.
 
On a local note "to make this legal," here in West Nashville, my song  
sparrow and a white-throated are here glutting down bird seed to store up for  
the 
coming cold weather.  Also, I saw a red-tailed hawk while I was driving  on 
Harding Road near Belle Meade Boulevard about 9:30 A.M. today.
 
Dee Thompson
Nashville, TN
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Hi All,   

We appreciate any help you all can give us  in getting the information out to 
all birders in the U.S.  Please forward  it to any e-mail list serves that 
birders and  environmentalists monitor.  The fishing and hunting communities 
should  also be concerned.  Public comment is critical to  preserving 
everything 
we love about Merritt Island NWR.  This project  is on a fast track since NASA 
is depending on a commercial entity to  service the International Space 
Station after the Shuttle retires in 2010.   Public comment on the proposed 
launch 
complex will close early this  spring.   

The U.S. Air Force has 40 launch pads.   They are only using 8 of them.  
There is infrastructure (roads,  electricity, water, etc) in place on the Cape 
in 
areas that have  already been disturbed.  Is it really necessary to impact 
pristine  areas?  

I know that this is short notice and it will be difficult  for you to attend 
one of the public meetings next week.  But please  take the time to phone, fax 
or e-mail your comments to NASA. 

I will  try to send the public notice as an attachment in a following e-mail. 
  Thanks and best wishes!  Laurilee Thompson
(She is not related to me as far as I know.  I've never met  her.    Dee)





Public Notice                
Future Plans by NASA for New Launch Facility Could Close  Portions of  
Merritt Island  National Wildlife Refuge
NASA is proposing a new Commercial Launch Facility on 200 acres of  Merritt 
Island National Wildlife Refuge which could have significant  environmental and 
visitor impacts.  Merritt Island NWR is an overlay of the Kennedy Space 
Center and the  Refuge manages NASA lands through an agreement.  The agreement 
allows NASA to withdraw  lands for space facilities.  The new  facility would 
result in loss of scrub habitat, loss of wetlands, impact sea  turtle nesting 
due 
to lighting issues, result in loss of habitat for several  endangered or 
threatened species, and eliminate use of most visitor facilities  and programs.
NASA has selected two potential sites for the commercial launch  facility.  
Site 1 is located within  the existing restricted area of Kennedy Space Center, 
but Site 2 is located in  an area currently open to the public.  Either site 
will have significant environmental impacts; however, Site 2 has the potential 
to close all areas  south of Haulover Canal to the public.  Impacts to Refuge 
facilities are still unclear, but based on the  proximity to Site 2 the 
following facilities will likely be affected  (closed):
·      Black Point  Wildlife Drive 
·      The Merritt  Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
·      Cruickshank Trail,  Scrub Ridge Trail, Oak Hammock Trail, Palm Hammock 
Trail 
·      Sendler Educational  Outpost
·      Bio Lab  Road
·      Boat Ramp at Haulover  Canal, Bio Lab Boat Ramp
·      Sports fishing  south of Haulover Canal
·      Waterfowl hunting  south of Haulover Canal
 
The development of Site 2 would affect approximately 750,000 Refuge  visitors 
annually.
Impacts associated with the development of Site 1 or 2 to Playalinda  Beach 
are unclear, but could potentially affect another three quarters of a  million 
visitors each year. 
NASA is preparing an Environmental Assessment on the project and the  public 
will be allowed to comment on the proposals.  Several public meetings are  
planned:
            February 25, 2008, Titusville City Hall - Council Chambers, 1 
p.m. and 6  p.m.
            February 28, 2008, New Smyrna Beach Public Library, 10 a.m. and 5 
 p.m.
To provide comments or obtain additional information the following  options 
are available:
1.      Go to the NASA website 
_http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm_ 
(http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm) 
2.      Send an email: _KSC-CVLC@xxxxxxxxx (mailto:KSC-CVLC@xxxxxxxx) 
3.      Call, FAX or Mail Mario Busacca; Environmental  Program Office 
Phone (321) 867-8456, FAX (321) 867-8040, Mail Code  TA-C3, Kennedy Space 
Center, FL. 32899             



**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.      
(http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

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