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Ad Hoc Group Opposes Champagne Island Closure

Environment | 10 weeks 2 days ago | Comments 8

By Leslie Truluck

STONE HARBOR –– Picnicking, boating, fishing, and hunting, among various recreation activities enjoyed throughout the county are becoming jeopardized, according to one public land-use advocate whose local group is questioning state regulations on coastal beach uses in light of the recent state-mandated closure of Champagne Island, now declared a wildlife refuge.

Questions concerning the enforceability of the island ban, the right to responsibly enjoy the outdoors and how the closure will impact other recreation areas became topics of discussion at Borough Council’s meeting May 6.

Gabriel Berkey, of Middle Township, said boating and water sport activities would be displaced from Champagne Island to Stone Harbor Point and the recreational beach.

Berkey, a former borough resident and volunteer, said he and several others are concerned for the right to responsible land-use saying Stone Harbor Point and recreation beach will be overcrowded with the displacement of recreation activities from the island.

The borough recently gained approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to construct walking paths at Stone Harbor Point, a popular birding area at the southern tip of Seven Mile Island.

Berkey said the displaced boating population could interfere with the project at Stone Harbor Point by landing their kayaks and personal watercraft there in lieu of the closed island.

“I understand your hands are tied but I don’t want to see the borough lose revenue because of limited beach access. I’ve seen this before in the Outer Banks Barrier Islands of North Carolina with conflicts of day use and funding concerns,” Berkey said.

Mayor Suzanne Walters said since this is the first summer the sandbar island has been closed the borough will need to police and monitor Stone Harbor Point more closely.

Councilman Julian Miraglia, who oversees the development at the Point as Chairman of the National Resources Committee, said the U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Service is funding the project that will place two observation points 15 feet above sea level. He said the project would not impact nearby boating or properties.

The island between Stone Harbor, North Wildwood and Middle Township was ordered by the state as an off-limits nesting ground for migrating and endangered birds.

“We were as surprised as you are when we found out,” Miraglia said.
Miraglia said the borough needs Point management plan to be eligible for beach replenishment.

Resident Peter Hughes said since the state regulates recreational activities like kite flying and swimming he fears regulations will snowball to eventually prohibiting all access at the Point.
“I hope in the future I don’t see anymore prohibition on our way of life there,” Hughes said.

Miraglia said he doesn’t foresee any further regulations in the five-year agreement with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

However, council and residents agree it remains unknown whether the closure of Champagne Island is enforceable.
“There’s not going to be a Stone Harbor boat out there (policing). I don’t think Wildwood is going to be there. I don’t know if Middle Township even has a boat. If you are going to make a rule, it should be one you can enforce,” Miraglia said.

Berkey's organization, tentatively named New Jersey Coastal Stewards, is dedicated to voicing its belief in responsible outdoor recreation.

“Many of us are outdoor people and we usually clean up after more than ourselves. We are concerned for the loss of traditional beach usage and freedom to responsibly enjoy public open spaces,” Berkey said.

Various conservation groups nationwide support protecting endangered birds by regulating human use but Berkey said the answer to the issue of species protection and multiple land-use conflicts is not blanket closures.

Instead, Berkey said public education and enforcement of existing measures should be employed. Berkey invites those interested in New Jersey Coastal Stewards to contact him at: contactnjcs@gmail.com.

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.

Print | Email Updated 10 weeks 1 day ago
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Sun, 05/25/2008 - 9:27am

Having recently purchased a condo directly across Hereford Inlet from Champagne Island, I can assure the fun police, er, regulators, that the birds are doing well. Exactly as they had been when boaters were also "permitted" to share the sand bar with them. There is no nesting but there certainly is much "resting" and feeding in the area, exactly as there would be with the boaters on the sandbar. Conservation is not the same as "restriction". For years the boaters and the birds have coexisted on the sand bar and all were able to enjoy the facilities that nature, not NJ DEP, has provided.

I do wonder exactly how much in taxes the birds do pay for the exclusive use of that land, however, as it must be well in excess of the collective real estate (on two houses), income, sales, and boat registration taxes that we pay. One would think that all that money going to Trenton would buy us something other than bloated and unnecessary regulation, but apparently one would be wrong.

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Tue, 05/20/2008 - 9:02am

Just a note... I was taking my walk on Sunday morning on the North Wildwood/Wildwood beaches and could not help but notice all the Piping Plovers on the beach. I guess they can nest/hang anywhere and be just fine. Or maybe we should close down those beaches also??? My family has been going to Champagne Island for many years and not once has there been any problems between boaters there. Do you really think if we were all a bunch of degenerates (like people make us look to be) people would be taking their small children there? It is very unfortunate that some people do not know how to read/respect a clearly posted sign " No Dogs". That is why last year was actually wonderful when we watched cops come up on Champagne Island and issue fines to those people! Make sure the fine is plenty big enough to hurt someone in the wallet and they will get the hint and leave their animals at home where they belong. It could be a win win situation: the township/county wins with getting some extra money that they say they need and the birds can nest in peace (if they even come back after last weeks storm). As for trash, Champagne Island is cleaner than the North Wildwood/Wildwood/Wildwood Crest Beaches by far. We personally bring our own trash bags plus extra just in case some inconsiderate person leaves stuff there and take it with us when we leave. You will not find broken glass, napkins, wrappers etc..... Speaking for all us happy considerate boaters who know know how to read and respect the roped off area for the birds we hope to have Champage Island remain open to us. Thank You!

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Mon, 05/19/2008 - 4:31pm

During Monday's storm, I could not help but wonder how the nesting birds were withstanding the hurricane force winds and surging water. I am quite certain the entire sandbar was covered with water. I guess drunken boaters and curious dogs are not the only things that threaten these endangered birds. If the birds are gone, can the boaters return? If not, it is going to be a sad Memorial Weekend. Regardless of what people may think, not all who spend their weekends on Champagne Island are drunk and unruly. In fact, I have been going there since I was young and have never witnessed a fight. My friends and I have always respected the birds, the boaters, and the island. If trash washed ashore, we always cleaned it and lugged it home in our boats. Unfortunately, there were those select few who refused to leave their dogs at home and we would always ask them nicely if they saw the signs. I think the fun police should stop hiding behing endangered birds.

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Mon, 05/19/2008 - 8:59am

I like how Mayor Suzanne Walters feels that she will have to police and monitor Stone Harbor Point more closely. Mayor Walters we are not coming for you were coming for your birds.

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Mon, 05/19/2008 - 8:46am

Does anyone wonder how boaters sitting at the waters edge with family and friends bother the birds when bird people are walking around bird management areas. Nj is closing down parks but they have money to build two 15 foot bird observation towers and sidewalks in Stone Harbor Point Wildlife Area. Stone Harbor Point Wildlife Area is three to four hundred yards away from Champagne Island sandbar so are not the same birds being disturbed. I guess this is why NJ is so broke it is run by BIRDBRAINS !

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Fri, 05/16/2008 - 3:37pm

The closing of the island doesn't effect me. However, what kind of bureaucratic nitwit would believe that birds nest on that island. It is frequently submerged, and shore bords are not amphibious. This is why New Jersey taxes are so high, to pay "bird brains" who obviously don't realize the difference between birds and fish. Stupidity has taken control of American society, I am becoming a doomsayer.

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Fri, 05/16/2008 - 1:38pm

I reacently read a blog on a N.J . bird watching web sit that they witnessed kis throwing rocks at an eagles nest on Champagne Island while they were visting the island.Well last time I checked no eagles or ospray live on Champagne Island., and ferthermore don't eagles & other birds of prey nest on high perches not on sand bars. That is the type of propaganda the people who want Champagne Island closed to people traffic are telling the lobbyist so they can get their agenda passed into law.Plus they say the island is full of trash,there is less trash on the island than on the Stone Harbor ,Wildwoods & Cape May beaches,and they get cleaned on a reg schedual. So go figure . It's not fair the law is based on lies.If the birds nest are in jepordy maybe its because the birds build nest on an island that is a sandbar & is flooded at leat once a month.High tide & full moon . Daaa !

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Wed, 05/14/2008 - 8:20am

I wonder how the bird nests are doing now? The island was under about three feet of water on monday! The only living thing left is maybe a crab. The island should be open,since when do birds have more rights than taxpayers? Oh thats right,this is New Jersey

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