It does seem that this is the end of an era. These discussions have been
going on for several years, and it seems we have a very difficult, even
disastrous outcome this year. As I understand it, the Department of Homeland
Security has decreed that there be no visitors to the three northern islands.
This
is despite a near-spotless record of 41 years of birding on these islands.
We would seem to have little recourse in the short term, but I do feel strongly
that we should petition every agency involved, vigorously, to regain our
status on the CBBT. After all, truly: most military vessels (the Department's
concern) utilize the Thimble Shoals Channel, not the Chesapeake Channel, and
the
southernmost island will continue to be open to all people, all day and night
long. Where is the logic?
I will certainly try to identify the people responsible for this new policy
and post their email and street addresses as soon as I have them. I will also
try to locate an individual with the power to overturn the decision and post
similar information here. I believe our points should be: 1) that we have a
clean record of practicing our hobby with no disturbance to others; 2) that we
are individually vetted by security personnel before going to the islands;
and 3) that we are willing to undergo searches of our persons and vehicles to
ensure continuation of privileges here. One other point in our favor is that
anyone with ill intentions has very little - currently - to prevent him or her
from engaging in a crime on these islands. The new security fences simply
block access to the jetty-end of the islands, and even these are slim
deterrent.
To make any plea effective, it will need to come in great deluges. I do
hope that as many of us as can will take up pen in this cause. It may not be
hopeless.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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