THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512080187
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
For the most part, I was very pleased with the article featuring migratory waterfowl at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (cover story, Nov. 19). Staff writer Debbie Messina did an outstanding job portraying the excitement we feel at the refuge when our management efforts ``pay off'' upon the arrival of thousands of ducks, geese and swans.
The text of the article was also accurate in describing the seasonal dike closure, ongoing negotiations regarding access to False Cape State Park and our efforts to encourage wildlife-oriented recreation while upholding the refuge's primary purpose ``as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.''
However, the headlines on both the cover page and on page 10 are inaccurate and do not convey the same message as the text of the article, with regard to the seasonal dike closure. Page one states that ``the sanctuary closes Dec. 1 for the winter'' and page 10 reads ``you won't get to see (waterfowl) after Dec. 1.''
In fact, the northern 1 1/2 miles of the refuge, the visitor contact station and the entire four miles of refuge beach will be open to visitors as usual after Dec. 1. The open portion of the refuge features over one mile of wheelchair-accessible walking trails and boardwalks, the Sunset Point environmental education site, the Dune Trail boardwalk to the beach, and of course the beach itself.
Waterfowl and other wildlife can often be observed from several vantage points, including the Bay Trail overlook. For about three hours on either side of low tide, beach users will find a wide expanse of hard-packed sand upon which to walk or bicycle. Humpback whales, common and red-throated loons, greater scaup, common mergansers, old-squaw and northern gannets are among the many wildlife species routinely observed along the beach in winter.
We are very sensitive to the fact that we are restricting public use of an area that, in the past, was popular with bird watchers. If we did not feel strongly that the dike closure was absolutely necessary to protect wintering birds, we would not have taken the actions we did. As pointed out in the article, the Fish and Wildlife Service has already embarked on a plan to improve year-round visitor facilities in the northern part of the refuge.
Headlines such as the ones that accompa-nied this article serve to make our job harder by giving confusing and inaccurate information to your readers.
John Stasko, Refuge manager
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Thanks to Thanksgiving
volunteers from Outreach Center
The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center's staff and Board of Directors would like to express our thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who came to the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center to give of their time and talents to help prepare and serve a wonderful Thanksgiving meal to the shelter residents and the many others who came.
A special thanks to the owner and staff of the Captain's Table restaurant and Area Grill who have prepared turkeys and other entrees for the past four years. This is truly ``community solving community problems.''
Dick Powell
for Judeo-Christian Outreach Center
Staff and Board of Directors
Virginia Beach
Question for the mayor
How come Mayor Oberndorf knows so much about Lake Gaston and so little about the Virginia Beach School Board?
E.J. Peterson
Virginia Beach by CNB