Updated 6-8/09
I have gotten alot of responses to the previous post on the Piping Plover in the past few weeks. Many people are angry and tired of this bird's hold over our beaches. The problem has reached a high point now that the summer season is here and we have to accept large swaths of beach being closed. Part of the frustration stems from the higher and higher prices we are forced to pay to enjoy our beaches while services shrink and restrictions increase. At Robert Moses you cannot drive on the beach unless you get there before 7AM or after 5PM. Further east at Smith Point only a small stretch of beach is open to trucks with 4X4. This year the Suffolk County 4X4 pass costs $95 while the State pass has gone up to $65. So just like the bankers got bailed out at our expense the state and county feel that we should pay for their shortfalls and bad decision making. Raise the prices, cut services and give them less to use is the new creed. Please read this article for another perspective on this issue: http://www.3.longislandmp3.com/
In the meantime, remember that it is not the piping plovers fault and they shouldn't recieve the wrath of our anger. We need to band together and maybe even practice a little civil disobedience. Solidarity is a powerful weapon. It makes no sense and hurts our cause if someone does something stupid. Remember when a plover was killed by a car a few years ago? They freaked out!
Write letters to your local elected official. Talk common sense to them on this issue. Education leads to respect. We can co-exist. Point out the far more serious threats to the piping plover...ferel cats, natural predators such as foxes, racoons ect...Coincidentally most of those predators are only at the beaches because of the garbage we leave behind for them...but lets not tackle that issue...easier for them to close the beach and keep their heads in the sand! Check out the poll question and share your comments!
8/18 update: here are the poll results as the beach closures continue in August
tastes like chicken: 44
worth the sacrifice: 6
Comments
Tim & Ginny Brosnan said on Monday, August 31, 2009:
Call me insane but I feel that cars, trucks, atvs have zero place on Long Island beaches except for handicapped people incapable of walking. It is not like LI is a remote wilderness area with beaches crazy far from access points and parking lots. Long Island has 10s of thousands of miles of roads. Roads are for cars. Beaches are for people and birds. Beachs are a place to get away from cars. The reason of course for the restrictions is that 60 -75 years ago birds had most of LI beaches to breed, now they have been supplanted by houses and other development.