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 5050 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 Marylands
  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 Georgias 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 T
here are six swimming beaches found along
the Capes 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 Capes 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
51
Park Information
Park hours Winter 600 a.m.-600 p.m.
Summer 600 a.m-800 p.m. Fees There
is a daily use fee 5 per vehicle 1 per walk
in or bike 28 annual pass
52
Beach Access
Beach access at both districts by boardwalks
which cross dunes Lifeguards on duty from
Memorial day to Labor day from 1000-545 There
is no water available, no showers, and no public
telephones
53
Beach Safety
Cape Canaveral offers safety advice due to
numerous dangers
Rip Currents swim across rip not directly
against it Lightning Central Florida is the
lightening capital of the world (get off the
beach) Portuguese Man of War Contact park
ranger if stun. Apply mixture of 50 water
and 50 vinegar
54
Camping and Trails
Camping is Available in North District
only Backcountry from Nov.1-Apr.30 Designated
islands year round No facilities for R.V.
camping
Trails Four walking trails and 1 canoe trail
located in North District Horseback riding is
available in both districts
55
Wildlife
There are 1,045 plant species Around 310 species
of birds Fourteen endangered species make their
home in the Cape Canaveral National Seashore
Sea Turtle West Indian Manatee Southern Bald
Eagle Florida Scrub Jay
56
Various Rules and Regulations
No pets are allowed on beach or in
buildings must be kept on leash in all other
areas in park Metal detectors are
prohibited Fires allowed in contained grills
only No glass containers are allowed on the beach
57
Kennedy Space Center
Owns land managed by NPS and Merrit Island
Naional Wildlife Refuge Joint effort by the three
to 1. Protect from development 2.preserve
history, wildlife, and diverse habitat
58
References
http//www.nature.nps.gov/ http//www.nps.gov/caco
/management/index.html http//www.nps.gov/cuis/ ht
tp//ww.nbbd.com/godo/minwr/ http//www.nps.gov/ca
ha http//www.nps.gov/calo/home.htm http//chinco.
fws.gov/ http//www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/ea
stern/assateague.html http//www.nps.gov/caco/home
.html