PLEASE POST AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE
The first meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Commission and
representatives of birding and conservation groups will happen relatively soon,
and we
would like to get input from people on how best to preserve the privilege of
birding the northern three islands for as many people as possible. (The CBBT
Commissioners will be voting on this matter 10 May, and there is the
possibility that we will be stripped of this privilege.)
A few things are important to keep in mind:
* We have a new obstacle on each side of all three northern islands: a
security fence that spans the side about mid-way down each island. Car access
is
possible by keycard (which opens an electric fence); there is also a
walk-through gate wide enough for one person - that will apparently be
padlocked. To
reach the jetty-end of the islands and see the birds there, it would be
necessary
to pass through the gate either on foot or by car. All proposals should keep
this new fence system in mind - it is a permanent feature of the islands now.
Cameras will also be mounted all around the islands (another part of the 1.3
million-dollar Homeland Security grant). It's unclear as yet what function
they might play.
* The working group has 'external advisers' skilled in matters of military
security and civilian access to military and other sensitive sites. So while
there is good information coming to the group, it cannot hurt to have a deeper
reservoir of ideas to work with.
* It's best to keep to the point, which is relatively clear: we accept that
the facility has security issues, and the point of the working group is to
propose feasible scenarios that can, at the very least, allay genuine concerns
about the presence of people on the islands. Sensible scenarios will be
presented, though funding structures will not be part of the proposals.
* We ask that folks sending in ideas do so directly to this address
(phoebetria@xxxxxxx), not to the listserve(s), and that the text be relatively
terse
and clear. If the ideas are coming from a person with expertise in vetting
people (e.g., civilians) into a sensitive site (e.g., military facility, power
plant), naturally it would be wonderful to get a longer narrative that includes
nitty-gritty about equipment and technology.
We are less concerned about costs (in money, personnel needs) than about
feasibility for and attractiveness to the people who administer the facility
and
the people who oversee security there. We think that simple, straightforward
proposals have the best chance of success, though we recognize that -- as at
other sensitive sites -- we may not have the ease of access to which we've
grown
accustomed.
In addition to 'vetting' identification and processes of registration, it may
be worth considering proposals that are more pro-active, such as formation of
Crime Watch groups and the like. Obviously, such a concept is most feasible
for local residents rather than people coming for a once-in-a-lifetime visit,
but we should not at this point discount any idea that is raised.
If you know of someone with expertise in security systems, it would be super
if you could pass this note on to that person.
We'll keep everyone apprised of progress through this listserve (with thanks
to Paul Mocko, list-owner, who has extended us this courtesy) but ask that
replies not be to the listserve itself.
With high hopes,
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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