All,
I think it is a very good thing to see the folks at the Potomac River
National Wildlife Refuge Complex on the VA Bird line. So, I would
like to do the obvious and thank them for posting the fee schedule
and for making the effort to explain their new policy to us. I
appreciate the consideration, and I know that others do too.
I hope the PRNWRC will continue to post on issues of concern to them.
I would also like to thank them for making it possible for me to bird
the Occoquan Bay NWR. I'll gladly purchase an annual permit and do
anything else I can support management at the PRNWRC.
I look forward to a time when refuges from all over the state and
birders alike can use VA Bird or some other electronic forum to post
and discuss issues of mutual concern. I have no way of knowing if the
PRNWRC is a new subscriber to VA Bird, but welcome just the same.
If there was a public comment period during the time this policy was
being developed, I missed it. But, since Ms. Jones introduced the
subject of fees and special use permits at the Occoquan Bay NWR to
this list serv, I would like to make a short comment and ask a
related special use permit question. I see that that Ms. Jones has
already responded to couple of inquires in this regard. Time
permitting, and at her convenience, I hope she will be able to
respond to this post too.
Here is my comment. I don't agree with the new group special use
permit policy or its rationale. On almost any weekend during the
year, especially in migration, birders can visit Bombay Hook, another
USFWS refuge, and find local bird clubs from all over the mid
atlantic at the refuge. The same can be said for Prime Hook and many
other venues in the USFWS inventory.
These local bird clubs are not required to apply for, much less
purchase, a special use permit to simply visit a refuge during normal
business hours, assuming these clubs are not seeking access to areas
of the refuge not normally open to the public and are not be engaged
in research or some other related activity that might otherwise be
subject to special use permit provisions. Instead, these clubs are
subject only to the refuge's normal fee schedule. I phoned both
Bombay Hook and Prime Hook this afternoon to confirm this.
It is therefore hard for me to understand why local bird clubs
visiting the Occoquan Bay NWR are now going to have to apply for,
much less purchase, a special use permit, simply to visit the refuge
during normal business hours. After all, Bombay Hook get more than
177,000 visitors a year. Certainly there are many more local bird
clubs and other groups visiting Bombay Hook than will ever be
visiting the Occoquan Bay NWR. The cost of the permit has nothing
whatsoever to do with the point I am trying to make.
I also have a question regarding special use permits in general. In
our local birding community, it is well understood that the Occoquan
Bay NWR are public lands. It is also no secret that some local
birders are using electronic lures at the refuge. This practice is
commonly referred to as "taping."
Last year a birder "playing tapes" for Rails at the Occoquan Bay NWR
was asked why he and others were playing tapes? The answer was,
"well, how else are you going to see em?"
At the Occoquan Bay NWR, I would like to know if "taping" is a
permitted, prohibited, or regulated activity? If "taping" is
permitted, may anyone visiting the refuge "play tapes" to attract,
see, or survey wildlife anytime they wish to?
If "taping" is a regulated activity, are persons "playing tapes" at
the refuge required to possess either a valid special use or research
permit? If, not, why not?
And, if taping is a prohibited by rule, regulation, policy, or
statute, can you explain why this activity is tolerated at the refuge
the way that it seems to be? Would it help if the refuge's electronic
lure policy, whatever it may be, was posted publicly and perhaps even
printed on refuge maps and brochures?
Assuming that the refuge has no clear policy concerning the use of
electronic lures, which I don't believe to be the case, or that the
use of such devices is either permitted or tolerated, I am having a
very difficult time understanding how it is that local bird clubs are
now going to be required to apply for and purchase a special use
permit, simply visit the refuge, where they will be nothing more than
observing wildlife passively, while others may be allowed to continue
"playing tapes" at the refuge without the benefit of at least a valid
special use or research permit. How could this be this possible?
Paul Kane
Falls Church, VA
On Mar 24, 2006, at 10:06 AM, Daffny_Jones@xxxxxxx wrote:
Hello All,
My name is Daffny Jones. I am the Assistant Manager at the Potomac
River
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex. The refuges I assist in
managing
are Occoquan Bay NWR, Mason Neck NWR, and Featherstone NWR. I wanted to
touch base with you all about the new fee system at the Occoquan Bay
NWR.
I know it has brought up many concerns and I would like to take the
time to
explain why it has come about and how in turn you help the complex
when you
honor it.
The Potomac River NWR Complex was approved to charge fees when
Occoquan Bay
NWR was established in 1998. Since then, the complex has worked towards
implementation and developing the guidelines we will use to charge
groups,
individuals, and the like. The implementation finally came about as of
February 1, 2006. The new recreation fee program will be used
primarily
for the Potomac River NWR Complex to improve visitor access, enhance
public
safety and security, address backlogged maintenance needs, enhance
resource
protection, and cover the costs of collection. 80% of the fees
collected
at the complex will be used for the complex, the other 20% will be
submitted to a regional fund and distributed to the remainder of refuges
within Region 5 as need arises.
Individuals who visit the Occoquan Bay can utilize several options to
contribute to the complex through fees. There is a daily fee of $2 per
vehicle and a $10 annual pass. There are other options available.
If you
would like to know about these other options, please just send a
email or
give me a call.
The reason I am sending an email to this list serve is so that you
all may
get the word out about group visit requirements. Anytime a group
schedules
a trip out to the refuge, that group has to apply for a Special Use
Permit.
The permit ensures that the refuge is aware of organized visits, it
allows
us to better schedule the visits and increases coordination efforts
between
the refuge and all interested parties. The Special Use Permit has an
annual fee of $20 and describes to you what information you should
know and
informs you of the information we need to know about your visit. Any
birding group who has scheduled birding walks on Occoquan Bay NWR and
Mason
Neck NWR will require a Special Use Permit.
I realize that the fees haven't been charged in years past and that the
fees may be viewed as a deterrent to some. My hope is that all
interested
parties will come to understand how the fees can assist us at the
complex
to protect, enhance, and conserve the resources we all have come to love
and enjoy.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to
contact me
via email or by phone. Thank you in advance for all your assistance and
cooperation.
Daffny C. Jones
Assistant Manager
Potomac River NWR Complex
14344 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA 22191
(703)490-4979
(703)490-5631 [Fax]
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