Moose Droppings

A lot. Rick Martinez a columnist for the N&O and a part time talk radio host(When Rick & Donna fill in on WPTF it’s usually good, to bad they don’t have the regular morning gig.) has brought up an interesting point about the apparent hypocrisy on the part of US Fish & Wildlife and others. Here in Raleigh as in many communities there is a problem with “residential geese” and the Feds over at Fish & Wildlife have approved the use of harassing the geese, killing the eggs, cutting off the available food, and even killing them if possible. As Rick has pointed out this plan sounds pretty familiar because this is the same plan that Navy wants to use in Washington County at the proposed OLF site that Fish & Wildlife and a lot of other folks strongly oppose. So what gives why no public outrage, no Governor Proclamations and photo ops etc.?

Well the difference is Migratory VS Residential. The residential geese are birds that were stocked in back in the 70’s when waterfowl populations were waning and the hopes were that they would join their migratory cousins and boost the population. Well they discovered that a goose born and raised here in Carolina pretty much stays put and for the most part migrates from pond to golf course and back.

Migratory birds travel each year to wintering and summering grounds. The migratory birds as well bounced back with conservation efforts and the securing of important lands for nesting in the North as well as wintering grounds in the South. The National Wildlife Refuge system is an important link in the conservation chain and Pocosin Lakes is extremely important chunk of real estate when it comes to wintering grounds. Migratory birds don’t stop here for the winter learns to like golf courses and the free buffets and decide to stay.

Just by looking at a Canadian Goose it is difficult to tell whether it is a migratory or a residential bird so tagging studies are being done by some states. Here in Wake county and other parts of the state where migratory geese travel through the hunting season is closed part of that time to allow many of them through and to hopefully kill more residential geese once the season opens back up. Residential birds are becoming over populated and efforts need to be taken to help control the population or they could threaten the wintering grounds for the migratory birds.

I’m just amazed that at NC State they have a professor that knows how much a goose craps in a day. They may not be able to beat UNC on the hardwood very much but at least they know their crap. I wonder what Rick’s wife thinks about this issue? I hate to say it but she seems to be the most sensible one when they Co Host. So what do you think Donna?

Other Stories I’ve done on OLF

PS. Charlotte area readers don’t forget the public hearing on Tuesday about the OLF please get out and be heard. NO OLF has info and Directions

Senator Burr has come out against the Navy’s Plan to build Outlaying Landing field in Washington County next door to Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge. Here is the letter he sent to the Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter.

It’s great to see that senator Burr has come out in support of the people of Eastern North Carolina against this ill conceived plan by the US Navy. Thank you Senator Burr. I hope we hear from Senator Dole in the near future.

All the Stories I’ve done on OLF

Senator Dole has just released a press release on the OLF and here it is in its entirety.

DOLE PRESSES NAVY ON LANDING FIELD PLANS April 5th, 2007 - Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole today submitted questions to the Secretary of the Navy, raising many concerns about the Navy’s proposed outlying landing field in eastern North Carolina.

“I will be paying very close attention to how the Navy addresses my questions, as well as the numerous concerns raised by other North Carolinians during the public comment period,” said Dole. “I will carefully evaluate how the Navy responds to these serious and legitimate concerns as I make my conclusions about this long-standing issue.

“I understand that our pilots need an OLF to practice night-time landings in a realistic setting. While I support building an OLF in North Carolina, it is essential that the Navy locate an OLF at a site that is both acceptable to North Carolinians and consistent with Navy pilots’ training requirements.”

In her questions, Dole pressed the Navy on issues that include:
•Potential bird mitigation methods
•The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s recent testimony about the Washington and Beaufort Counties site
•The feasibility of resolving bombing range restrictions and other conflicts at Open Grounds Farm
•The viability of other potential North Carolina OLF sites
•The substantial acreage the Navy has stated it needs, and may seize through eminent domain, for an eastern North Carolina OLF
•The Navy’s ranking of all eastern North Carolina OLF sites, from most to least preferred
•How the concerns of North Carolinians are factoring into the Navy’s decision-making

Dole requested that the Navy provide written responses to the questions as soon as possible before the end of the comment period.

Background
During the ongoing public comment period, Dole has continued her strongest efforts to facilitate a fair, open, and honest dialogue between North Carolinians and the Navy. At her request, the Navy agreed to hold an additional public hearing in Charlotte on April 17, 2007. Dole’s staff has attended each public hearing in its entirety and reported back to her on the issues that were raised.

Over the last four years, Dole has made it a top priority to ensure that North Carolinians’ voices are heard at the highest levels of the Navy, including setting up meetings for local officials and other constituents with then-acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford Johnson in September 2003, and Assistant Secretary for the Navy for Installations and Environment, B.J. Penn, in September 2006. Dole has repeatedly conveyed constituents’ specific concerns to the Navy through personal phone calls and letters. In addition, she has brought every alternative location suggested by constituents to the Navy’s attention, and has personally met on a number of occasions with concerned North Carolinians both in the state and in Washington, D.C.

I don’t think she is off the fence yet but she might be beginning to move. This just Breaking But I’ll post more as I can.

Additional OLF Stories

Keep on fighting the Navy’s proposed Outlaying Landing Field site in Washington County the Governor told the staff of the Wildlife Commission this morning. Governor Easily has become frustrated that after four years of trying to work with the US Navy on identifying an appropriate site they continue to focus solely on the Washington County site that is only a few miles from Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

“When they came out with this plan it was very clear they were trying to run the waterfowl off, starve them out or poison them,” he said. “It’s pretty clear they’re trying to ruin the refuge, and we’re not going to be a part of that. We’re going to fight it.”

The Governor is taking the unusual step of reaching out to Senators from other states because in his view the Senators from North Carolina are not engaged in this issue. Senator Burr & Senator Dole today took exception to the Governor’s remarks.

Burr said in a prepared statement he would be glad to talk to Easley about the landing field, but “to date, I haven’t gotten a call from the governor on this issue.”

Dole spokeswoman Katie Norman said Dole “has been fully engaged in the issues” surrounding the landing field for more than four years “and she is pleased that the governor has recently decided to join the discussion.”

In my view neither of our Senators has represented the citizens of North Carolina who they were elected to represent. If they want to support the Navy on this issue, although I would think they were wrong, at least they would let the citizens of North Carolina know where they stand. Idly standing by to see what happens is not leadership and they need to step up now.

WRAL

Additional Posts I’ve Done on OLF

Walter Jones from Congressional district 3 and a member of the House Armed Services Committee has written the Secretary of the Navy urging them to not locate the OLF next door to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Here is a copy of his letter;

Dear Secretary Winter:
I have long been an extremely strong supporter of Navy/Marine Corps aviation, and will continue to be as long as I have the privilege to represent North Carolina’s 3rd District in Congress. I am also proud to say that I fought hard to bring additional squadrons of F/A-18 E/F “Super Hornets” to Havelock, North Carolina’s Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and I was pleased when the Navy made the decision to do so. Furthermore, I fully recognize the need to construct an Outlying Landing Field to facilitate aviator training.
However, I am troubled by the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) which the Navy prepared to justify its preference to locate the OLF at Site C in Washington County, North Carolina. After reviewing the SEIS and consulting with preeminent bird strike experts including the former Chief of the U.S. Air Force’s Bird Aircraft Strike Team – Dr. Russel P. DeFusco – I am particularly concerned that Site C poses significant risks to pilots, planes and taxpayers.
Site C is located next to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and its extraordinary concentrations of tundra swans, geese, ducks and other migratory birds. Dr. DeFusco’s research makes clear that bird-aircraft strike “risks from large and flocking species at the preferred site and in the immediate surroundings are extremely high.” To mitigate the avian hazards at Site C, the Navy would have to employ extensive on-site monitoring, habitat management, fencing, and active harassment. The Navy has also proposed using lethal control measures including poisoning large numbers of wild birds – a strategy which the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Governor Mike Easley recently warned could be disastrous for waterfowl and other non-target species. In addition, the Navy would also have to mitigate avian hazards in the approach, departure and traffic pattern airspace out to approximately five miles from the landing surfaces. This would require modifying or eliminating agricultural practices, wetlands, and bird habitat in the surrounding area. Even with these measures in place, local and migratory movement patterns would still draw birds to the area, requiring the Navy to use radars to actively manage flight operations – especially during spring and fall migrations and winter.
In Dr. DeFusco’s expert opinion, the bottom line regarding Site C is this:
“Bird activity will be severe enough and often enough to significantly impact operations and training in the area . . . [forcing the Navy] to curtail flying during times and over specific locations when and where birds are determined to be significantly hazardous to continued operations. Such conditions can have severe adverse effects on the Navy’s flying mission. In my opinion, a situation like this should never be created and then mitigated when the option to avoid the situation altogether exists by choosing a more suitable site. The site selected by the Navy is a particularly hazardous one. My recommendation is that the Navy reconsider their selection, further research the issue, and determine a safer alternative site from which to operate.”
I could not agree more. Spending a quarter of a billion dollars to construct an outlying field on a site with severe operational restrictions is not a wise use of American taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Threatening the viability of one of the world’s last great waterfowl habitats– especially if done through extreme measures such as poisoning large numbers of wild birds – is unjustifiable. And needlessly putting the lives of Navy and Marine Corps aviators at risk is simply unacceptable.
North Carolina is without question the most military friendly state in the nation. We’re happy to be the home of the OLF, but Site C is not the best choice for taxpayers, the wildlife or the pilots. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to reconsider your decision.

Walter Jones
I should point out that in some conversations I’ve had with folks over the last few days a common theme is that sacrificing some land and some birds in the name of freedom is ok and we shouldn’t oppose the Navy on this issue. I think Congressman Jones letter debunks some of that argument. I would add that myself and many of the folks I know who are outspoken on this subject are very pro military and support the importance of out fighters getting the best training possible. The opposition is not to the OLF but to the planned location and the Navy’s refusal to seriously consider any other viable sites within the eastern North Carolina.

Additional Stories about OLF

More and more people are speaking out against the US Navy’s plan to build and Outlaying Landing Field next door to Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge in Washington County. Congressman Price is the latest to urge the Navy to reconsider the location of the OLF.

The Honorable Donald C. Winter
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350

Dear Secretary Winter:

I am writing to urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to reject Site C as your preferred location for the North Carolina Outlying Landing Field (OLF) and to initiate discussions with the Governor of North Carolina, the North Carolina congressional delegation and the congressional committees of jurisdiction, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other key stakeholders to identify a mutually agreeable alternative that will better serve our military.

As you know, I have expressed ongoing concern about the Navy’s plan to construct an OLF at the location identified as Site C in Washington County, North Carolina. I can say without hesitation that the citizens and elected officials of North Carolina welcome the Navy’s decision to build an OLF in our state. I can say with equal certainty, however, that Site C is not a viable option for an OLF because of the threats it would pose to Navy and Marine pilots and aircraft, to local communities, and to the surrounding environment.

The Navy has repeatedly characterized its decision to construct an OLF as a necessity for “force protection.” Site C would seem to be incompatible with that goal given the significant Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) risk, which indicates that there is a very real possibility that Navy and Marine pilots operating at Site C will lose their lives due to bird strikes. In fact, military BASH analysts have identified Site C as one of the locations with the highest BASH risk in the country. Even the Navy’s Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) characterizes the BASH risk as “moderate to severe.” That level of risk is simply unacceptable, and it is unwarranted given the availability of other low risk sites.

The Navy also has failed to mitigate the impact of the OLF on the local community. As currently envisioned, the OLF would force dozens of farmers to plant less profitable crops or sell land that has been with them, in many cases, for generations. North Carolina’s Agriculture Commissioner estimates the proposal would cost local farmers an estimated $6 million in revenues. Moreover, an OLF at Site C would undermine another valuable component of the local economy; namely, the tourism drawn to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge which Site C abuts. There are other sites which would have a more acceptable impact on agribusiness and on tourism.

I am also concerned by the Navy’s failure to consult with state and local officials about the siting decision, despite urgings by federal courts and the Congress. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley has announced his adamant opposition to Site C, stating that “the draft SEIS shows [that] the Navy remains unwilling to even fully consider reasonable alternatives.” Such a statement leaves no doubt that the Navy has failed to live up to obligations to consult with state and local stakeholders on a viable location for the OLF.

In addition, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (whose district includes the Washington County Site C location), State Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight, State Speaker of the House Joe Hackney, State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the Washington County Board of Commissioners, and Mayor Brian Roth of Plymouth, NC (which is adjacent to Site C) all have voiced their opposition to Site C. This strong opposition at the state and local levels calls into question the viability of the Navy’s plans to move forward with Site C.

Finally, the Navy appears to have ignored the input of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) about the impact of the proposed OLF at Site C on the surrounding wildlife habitat. As you know, the Navy used FWS as a “cooperating agency” in the preparation of the SEIS, a designation that requires it to incorporate FWS analysis to the full extent practicable. The Navy does not appear to have complied with that requirement. FWS Director Dale Hall recently testified at a public hearing that “we are concerned that the conclusions the Navy has drawn are more definitive than the data can support…We continue to note that other sites in North Carolina have been identified within the Draft SEIS where the proposed OLF could be constructed, with far fewer risks to the resources we are charged with managing.” The Navy can avoid creating a tradeoff between the needs of the military and our environmental protection laws by selecting a site that the FWS and other environmental stakeholders can support. .

Mr. Secretary, it is my deep hope that, working together, we can avoid a confrontation over the Navy’s request for funding and authorization to move forward with construction of an OLF at Site C in Washington County, NC. I have every reason to be confident that we can identify a site for the OLF that all stakeholders can support and that will not compromise the Navy’s mission.

I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

DAVID PRICE
Member of Congress

The fence sitting of Dole and Burr seems to be continuing on we can only hope the decide one way or the other soon.

Additional Stories on OLF

This morning the National Audubon Society had a press release about an upcoming press conference this Thursday in Washington DC about the US Navy’s plan to build and Outlaying Landing Field. (OLF) in Washington County next door to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. We will follow any developments on this story closely.

Navy Field Next to National Wildlife Refuge Opposed by Sporting and Conservation Groups

Press Briefing to Detail Risks to Pilots and Wildlife

WASHINGTON, March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following was
released today by the National Audubon Society:
WHAT: A coalition of the nation’s leading sporting groups and
conservation organizations will publicly request the Navy to move a
proposed jet landing field away from one of the nation’s most important
refuges for waterfowl and wildlife. Groups will brief media representatives
on the extreme risks posed by the Navy’s proposed Super Hornet landing
field on the Albemarle Peninsula of eastern North Carolina. The outlying
landing field, or OLF, is proposed in an area that is home to over 100,000
swans, geese, and ducks. State and national officials have expressed grave
concerns about the proposal.
WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2007, 10:00 AM

WHERE: National Press Club, Murrow Room, Washington, DC

WHO: — National Audubon Society, Chris Canfield, Executive Director/Vice
President, North Carolina
— Ducks Unlimited, Scott Sutherland, Director of the Governmental
Affairs Office
— North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Wes Seegars,
Chairman
— National Wildlife Federation, Sean McMahon, Senior Policy
Specialist
— Defenders of Wildlife, Noah Matson, Director Federal Lands Program
— Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Jason Wallace, Southeast Regional
Director
— National Wildlife Refuge Association, Evan Hirsche, President
— The Wilderness Society, Leslie Catherwood, Associate Director,
Wildlife Refuge Program
— National Rifle Association, Susan Recce, Director of Conservation,
Wildlife and Natural Resources
— Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Jeff Crane, Executive
Director

Other Stories on OLF

Senator Dole and environmental groups have urged the Navy to hold a hearing in the Charlotte so people on that end of the state could be heard. According to the Charlotte Observer a hearing will now be held in the queen city.

Atlantic Fleet spokesman Ted Brown said the Charlotte hearing will be on April 17, with an informal information period between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., followed by a formal hearing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. A location hasn’t been selected but will be announced later.

The planned OLF will not only impact the folks that live in the area around the Washington County Site but many people from across the state. Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge is a popular tourist location getting lots of visitors as well as those who stop briefly while on the way to the outer banks. Additionally there will be a economic cost on not only the local economy but also the statewide agricultural economy.

Other Stories on the OLF

News agencies across the state are reporting on the support the Navy received from people of Craven County for the Navy’s plan to build the OLF. Now it should be pointed out that Craven County is the home of the Marine’s air base Cherry Point which will be expanded to utilize this training field. To paint the picture that the rest of the eastern part of the state of NC is opposed to the Navy’s plan to build an OLF is not exactly accurate. Many oppose the location they have chosen because of its close proximity to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Move the project to a less sensitive wildlife site and there will be more widespread support.

N&O

Additional Stories About OLF

Doesn’t sound like there was much support for the Navy’s plan to use Site C according to the Washington Daily News.

“First of all, the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is a globally important bird area,” said FWS Director Dale Hall. Hall called the Navy’s plans to manage birds in that area “frankly in direct conflict” with the FWS mission.

Area residents many with strong ties to the military like lots of folks across this state are caught in a bind because they want to support the military but this choice of location is just not a good one.

One speaker said he considered the Navy’s proposal an insult, because the Navy has been studying the sites for years, but has not changed its OLF conclusions.

“It hurts my feelings to think that the Navy keeps coming back with a plan … like another dose of medicine,” Lake Landing resident David Fletcher said.

The people are speaking out but the question is all of this falling on deaf ears? The Navy certainly seems confident that their choice from the beginning is still the best one despite the numerous issues that have been raised and at best glazed over in reports. Killing the birds or manipulating this fragile environment to eliminate the dangerous these birds present is bad policy. The US Government has been in the business of protecting these birds and helping the populations to improve to throw all that away when there is other viable options available is just plain dumb.

Additional Posts on OLF

It’s hard to find many politicians who are in favor of this proposal but our Senators continue to sit on the fence. Steve Troxler (Republican) Agricultural Commissioner has sent the following letter to the Secretary of the Navy. Maybe some other Republican’s will take a stand and represent the people who have put them in office.

“Dear Secretary Winter:
“North Carolina has a long and proud history with the military and agriculture. Both have played important roles in the growth of our state. Unfortunately, the Navy currently finds itself at odds with some of North Carolina’s rural agricultural communities because of its plans to build an outlying landing field in Washington County.
“I’m as strong a supporter of our military as anyone. My father and his three brothers served in the Army during World War II. I am grateful for the sacrifices made by my father’s generation as well as our younger soldiers and sailors. Their efforts have made it possible for me to do what I do today.
“However, my appreciation for everything the men and women of our armed forces do to protect our country doesn’t change the fact that North Carolina has lost 300,000 acres of forest and farmland since 2003 and has led the nation in farm loss for two years straight. Putting the outlying landing field at the Navy’s preferred site in Washington County would add to this problem, and we must work to find a more reasonable alternative.
“The project would affect 30,000 acres of farmland through acquisition and use restrictions. Eighty-nine percent of that acreage is used for production agriculture, including 17,000 acres where corn and soybeans are grown. These crops are important feedstocks, and the Navy’s proposal would further reduce our state’s limited supply at a time when both demand and prices are high. The current OLF proposal would cause estimated agricultural losses of up to $6 million annually.
“This isn’t just about economics. In his State of the Union address, President Bush called for America to diversify its energy supply with agriculture-based fuels such as ethanol. The President said energy independence is a matter of national security, and I agree with him. We must develop renewable fuels as alternatives to foreign oil. We also must make sure that we can continue to produce our own safe and wholesome food supply. The Navy’s proposal would affect our state’s ability to help the country meet both of these goals.
“I fully understand that the Navy needs facilities to train its pilots for the protection of the United States, but the proposed location carries too high a price to our agricultural lands and economy. I certainly hope we can work together to find a more suitable site for the OLF in North Carolina.”

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Photo Courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

Well those who work for him maybe gagged when it comes to the US Navy and the OLF but the director speaks out.

Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the Navy’s preferred landing strip would endanger the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge under his care.
“We appreciate that (the Navy) came to us on this project, but we must respectfully disagree with their conclusions,” Hall said. “We think we have been fairly clear with our concerns and the risk involved both to wildlife and Navy pilots but we don’t think the Navy has concluded well regarding our concerns.”
Hall said the Navy hasn’t yet explored all viable alternatives to the proposed outlying landing field in Washington and Beaufort counties. Hall and environmental groups have questioned whether the landing strip would threaten the nearly 100,000 snow geese and tundra swan that visit annually.

WRAL
I wonder if our Senators will take notice now that a Federal Official has weighed in his opposition to this project because they so far could care less what we the voters think or what the Governor thinks. Let’s hope we see some action.

Other Stories I’ve done on the OLF