[va-bird] Re: Restoration project at Manassas Battlefield
- From: Thecattertons@xxxxxxx
- To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, mgerber@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 12:06:07 EDT
Hello Mark and VABirders,
In a message dated 6/30/03 11:04:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
mgerber@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
The NEPA process allows for public comment and contains a fairly effective
due diligence process for obtaining comment from the public. You all had a
chance to change the process. I have been involved in the NEPA process for
years and on many projects and one thing I have noticed is that if folks who
have concerns about these projects get involved early on, most changes are
incorporated into the construction process.
Wait a minute! I'm very sorry to say that we did NOT have a chance to change
this process, in regards to the TIMING. I'm speaking for the group of
volunteers, who for the last two years have been surveying the birds Manassas
Battlefield, as part of the NPS National Capital Region's Bird Inventory
Project. As
far as I know, none of us had any prior knowledge of the impending restoration
project. You better believe that if we did, we would have done our best to
delay it until breeding season was over...maybe a month. Had I been out there
two
weeks ago, when the bulldozers started destroying habitat, I'd have been in
front of those dozers, in protest. Wasn't I in shock when I went out there on
6/19, to scout for the No. VA Breeding Bird Survey (Fairfax Audubon), and found
habitat already being destroyed. I was unable to even start my survey.
Regarding the Environmental Assessment...on page 12, under the Wildlife
section, I find this sentence to be in glaring error to the reality of what's
taking place:
"Natural resource management personnel will closely monitor the operation to
insure minimal impacts to wildlife." Let's see...bird habitat is being
destroyed during breeding season and the NPS considers that to be a minimal
impact
on wildlife?
The Stuart's Hill EA can be found at: <A
HREF="
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/nature/documents/Ea2.doc";>
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/nature/documents/Ea2.doc</A>
Laura Catterton
Manassas, Virginia
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