Coastal Management Strategies II: Seashores and Parks

1. Coastal Management Strategies II: Seashores and Parks Ethan Estey and Brannon Quel

2. The National Parks Service was formed in 1916 to manage and regulate federal parks, monuments, and reserves previously managed by the Department of the Interior NPS Mission: "...to promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

3. There are several different categories of parks managed by the NPS: • National Park • National Monument • National Preserve • National Recreational Area • National Historic Site • National Memorial • National Battlefield • National Cemetery • National Seashore • National Lakeshore • National River • National Parkway • National Trail

4. General Management Policies for the NPS • Endangered Species • Wetland Management • Exotic Species • Pest Management • Fisheries Management

5. Specific National Seashore Examples • Cape Cod National Seashore • Assateague Island National Seashore • Cape Hattaras National Seashore • Cape Lookout National Seashore • Cape Canaveral National Seashore

6. Endangered Species • The National Parks Service is required to follow the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act. • National Parks are an ideal setting for the recovery of threatened and endangered plants and animals. • 130 of 967 endangered plants and animals are found in the boundaries of national parks. • Conserve endangered and threatened plant and animal species and protect the habitat in which they live.

7. Wetland Management • The NPS entered a 50:50 cost share operation with the U.S. Fish and Wild Service to conduct wetland inventories for all the national parks. • Many wetlands in the parks has been afflicted with drainage, pollution, diking, filling, and related activities, while other wetlands have remained in perfect condition • The parks have been mandated to protect wetlands and restore areas that have been depredated by human impacts

8. Exotic Species • The NPS defines exotic species as “those occurring outside their native ranges in a given place as a result of actions by humans” • Parks must be maintained as naturally as possible. Their definition of exotic species allows them to take action and have them removed from the park so it can be restored to its natural state. • Exotic species can negatively effect the native landscape, interfere with the natural food web, and hybridize with native species. • There are presently 535 projects to eradicate exotic species.

9. Pest Management • Pest management includes all exotic species plus any native species that jeopardizes the safety and health national parks and the public (ie mice that carry disease) • The NPS formed Integrated Pest Management to deal with pests at a park-by-park basis. • Pest populations are monitored and no actions are taken until the population goes above the recommended threshold limit.

10. Fisheries Management • The National Park Service has recognized that fishing is part of the history and heritage of the park system. • Recreational and commercial fishing is allowed designated areas of the park. • Areas may be closed to protect spawning and nursery area. • Fisheries restoration of depleted stocks and endangered and threatened species is a high priority in national parks.

11. Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Budget: $2,958,000.00 Annual Visitation: 1,895,592 Park Covers 39,730 Acres

12. Assateague Island National Seashore • Assateague Island National Seashore is a barrier island which is located in both Maryland and Virginia. • Management of the seashore is divided between three agencies. • The Assateague Island National Seashore is managed by the National Parks Service • Assateague State Park is managed by Maryland’s State Park Service • Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge is monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

13. Maryland District

14. Assateague State Park (Maryland)

15. Assateague State Park (Maryland) The primary mission of Assateague State Park is to provide recreational use of its resources

16. Swimming, hiking, rollarblading, pets, and driving on the beach (by permit only) are allowed in the Maryland District of the Park There are several campsites at Assateague that are open year-round.

17. Pony Management The Assateague herd of ponies are managed by the National Parks Service. The ponies are penned in a confined area and sterilization is used to maintain the herd

18. Virginia District

19. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge • Established in 1944 as a refuge for migratory birds • Is not named Assateague National Wildlife Refuge since all refuges are named after a town, person, or wildlife species. • This refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and recreation is not its primary mission.

20. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Groundwater Management for Migratory Birds • Maintains groundwater levels for 2600 acres of refuge with 14 moist soil management units • Can lower level of water in the spring to create a mudflat habitat for shorebirds. • Lower groundwater to concentrate fish is pools for water birds. • During the fall the soil management units are closed to trap water for migratory birds.

21. Sika Elk (Cervus nippon) • Hunting is allowed on the island during posted seasons. • Sika Elk are considered an exotic species and have no natural predators on the island.

22. Camping is not allowed at any part of the Refuge. • In-line skating and skate boarding are not allowed in the refuge. • Pets are not allowed inside the refuge (even if they are in a car)

23. Pony Management The Ponies on Chincoteague are allowed to roam free and graze The heard is maintained annually by the Chincoteague fire department.

24. Cape Hatteras National Seashore Annual Budget is $5,762,000.00 Annual Visitation is 2,772,420 Park Covers 30,321 Acres

25. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore covers 70 miles of shoreline over three barrier islands: Bodie, Hatteras, and Ocracoke. • The Seashore contains several state parks and the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. • Prior to the addition of Highway 12, the Seashore attracted approximately 200,000 people a year. Now it attracts close to 3 million. • This increase in visitation has made it difficult to manage the natural resources and accommodate recreation.

26. Land Use and Nesting Shorebirds During the late spring and early summer colonial shorebirds (birds that nest in colonies such as terns, skimmers, and oyster catchers) and solitary shorebirds (piping plovers) will mate and construct nests on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

27. The nests are simple depressions in the open sand. • The nests typically contain 3-4 eggs that are small and easily camouflaged. • Park Rangers will monitor the bird population during the summer.

28. If disturbed, many birds will “dive-bomb” intruders, leaving the nest vulnerable to predators and solar radiation. • The park will close entire sections of the beach to pedestrians, pets, and vehicles. • Due to the bird managment plans, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has been designated a “Globally Important Bird Area” by the American Bird Conservancy

29. Cape Lookout National Seashore Annual Budget: $1,282,000.00 Annual Visitation: 558,043 Park Covers 28,243 Acres

30. Cape Lookout National Seashore is 56 miles long and is composed of South Core Banks, North Core Banks, and Shackleford Banks. • The Seashore is only accessible by private boat or public passenger ferry. • Even though there are no roads to Cape Lookout, some ferries can transport ORVs to the island.

31. Sea Beach Amaranth • Federally protected plant species that grows at Cape Lookout. • Considered a pioneer species since it grows on overwash fans, new dune, and other open sandy areas • Amaranth is managed at Cape Lookout by closing off sections of beach that it is present and allowing sand to move naturally.

32. Sea Turtles • Loggerheads nest at Cape Lookout during the summer and Park Rangers and Volunteers will mark nests as they occur. • Once the eggs get close to hatching, all vehicular traffic will be directed behind the nests to allow the hatchlings a smooth runway to the sea.

33. Wild Horses • Shackelford Banks is home to over 100 wild horses. • The herd is left wild to roam and graze, but park service does manage the population • Periodically, horses will be rounded up off the island for adoption. • Contraceptive drugs are given to minimize the birth rate.

34. Cumberland Island National Seashore Park covers 36,415 acres 1999 attendance: 44,127 Annual budget: $1,376,000

35. Cumberland Island Located off the coast of Georgia near the mouth of the St. Marys River Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island stretching 17.5 miles long Fees: Day use $4 carload Annual $20 Camping: No bathroom facilities $2/day Backcountry (7 day max) $4/day Sea Camp (7 day max)

36. Island Background Human occupation began about 4,000 years ago Shifted hands between Spanish, British, and Indians 1881 Carnegie family acquired 4,000 acres built numerous mansions 1972 National Park Service procured most of the land for National Seashore

37. Island Lighthouse Lighthouse exists on north end of Cumberland Island Built in 1838, deactivated in 1915 Lighthouse is now privately owned No longer open to the public

38. Natural Aspect of Park Large draw to the island is the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife Salt Marshes (16,850 acres marsh, mudflats) Important to wildlife as 1. nursery to juvenile animals 2. supports large population of shellfish, plants, birds

39. Maritime Forest Littered with huge oaks and Spanish moss Here there is numerous wildlife such as white tailed deer, raccoons, and even armadillo (1974) Dunes and beach Eventually the forests give way to rolling dune Sandpipers, osprey, loggerhead turtles

40. Cumberland Island Museum Began in 1985 to preserve historical and biological aspects Run by board of directors and funded through private donations grants gift shop Has no exhibits or displays, visitors can look through specimens, historical materials, and maps

41. Cape Cod National Seashore Park encompasses 43,604 acres 1999 attendance 4,944,963 Annual budget: $4,739,000

42. Cape Cod National Seashore Found in Cape Cod Massachusetts Two districts North district located at Race Point, Provincetown South District located at Marconi Station, South Wellfleet Within park over 40 miles of beaches numerous kettle ponds 11 self guided nature trails

43. Major Attractions Salt Pond visitors center Built in 1965, Seashores main visitor facility 500,000 visitors annually Has a variety of attractions: shows movies on area every 1/2 hour a number of trails (walking and bike) bookstore museum shows natural history

44. Activities Continued Hunting Can hunt on Seashore grounds for deer, upland game, and migratory waterfowl To minimize conflicts of interest hunting is prohibited from March, 1 through August 31 All other state regulations apply Fishing Variety of fresh and saltwater species Salt pond closed for flounder

45. Activities Continued Beaches largest attraction to seashore Swimming There are six swimming beaches found along the Cape’s oceanside All have shower and bathroom facilities All offer beach access by boardwalk All are lifeguarded from June 26-August 29 Camping There is no camping permitted

46. Programs Joshua A. Nickerson Conservation Program National Seashore Management Division supported by fund Group of scientists who monitor well being of Cape’s natural resources Current Projects protecting nesting habitat of piping plovers restoration of salt marsh habitat in Herring Run river area

47. Conservation Fund Cont. Makes grants available for scientists and students designed to support research, social science, and conservation at National Seashore Students and researchers write proposals to compete for small grants to support education and research

48. Programs Continued Cape Cod Water Resources Management Program Originated in 1981, updated in 1999 Prepared by Seashore staff and Univ. of Mass. Goals include 1.provide information on park background and water resource management issues 2.clarify NPSP legislation mandates 3.Encourage communication between state, regional, and local authorities

49. Cape Canaveral National Seashore Park covers: 57,662 acres 1999 attendance 846,512 Annual budget $2,024,000

50. Cape Canaveral Park located in Florida and has two districts North district is in Volusia County (near New Symrna) Visitors Center is open daily South district is in Brevard County (near Titusville Closed to public during space shuttle operation Canaveral National Seashore covers 57,000 acres Has longest stretch of undeveloped beach in Florida, 24 miles