VERP Assignment for Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area

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1 Case Background VERP Assignment for Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is a jewel of the southeastern coast of North Carolina. Comprised of a wide variety of maritime ecosystems, it is a refuge for many species. Mud flats, sandbars, intertidal pools, dune systems and maritime forests provide a wealth of habitat for an incredible diversity of life. Such undeveloped stretches of the Atlantic coastal plain are becoming ever more difficult to find, given the pace of coastal development. However, for these same reasons, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is an attractive resource to humans as well. Hosting over one million visits per year, it provides opportunities for fishing, crabbing, sunbathing, swimming, beach combing, nature study and, most notably, off-road vehicle use. This is where the crux of the case lies; how can we balance the quality of the resource while at the same time providing visitor use? In response to ongoing public concerns regarding the potential impact of four-wheeldrive access on the biotic domain, the FY 2005 North Carolina budget bill committed $25,000 to fund a study of vehicular beach use and associated effects at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Faculty members at the University of North Carolina Wilmington were contracted by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate the demand for vehicle access to the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area beach, biological impacts of ocean beach vehicular use and the potential economic impact of restricting vehicle access. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources then utilized these data to develop a management plan for the area. Biological Species of Concern Fort Fisher State Recreation Area hosts approximately 16 species of concern. Several of these are listed as Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act, which requires protection of both habitat and parent stock. Impeding and/or taking of such species is illegal, and doing so can result in significant fines and/or prison sentences. For the purposes of this project, we will focus upon two specific species of concern: the loggerhead sea turtle and the piping plover. Perhaps the most commonly known species of concern to be found at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area is the loggerhead sea turtle, listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The loggerhead uses the beach as nesting habitat, typically beginning to come ashore in May and concluding nesting in late August. The eggs incubate for approximately 66 days before the hatchlings emerge and race 1

2 to the sea. Success of both laying and hatching of the eggs requires relatively undisturbed sections of beachfront, an increasingly rare commodity. Another species of concern is the piping plover, also listed under the Endangered Species Act as Threatened. Depending upon the group, the piping plover utilizes Fort Fisher State Recreation area year round: breeding pairs from late April until late July; fall migrants from July through November; winter residents from December to February; and spring migrants in March and April. Piping plovers, like the loggerhead sea turtle, require relatively undisturbed stretches of beach, particularly to successfully lay and hatch their eggs. Currently, documented nesting areas for both the loggerhead sea turtle and the piping plover are roped-off by staff to minimize animal/human conflict. Prohibitory and interpretive signage typically accompanies the segregated area. Four-wheel-drive Access Although many traditional uses of Fort Fisher State Recreation Area are currently allowed, perhaps the most contentious is off-road vehicle use. Currently, approximately four miles of beachfront is open to visitors using four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are, however, restrictions regarding both times of use and areas open to use. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed to operate within a limited corridor along the beach, at certain times of the day. Typically, four-wheel-drive access is permitted 24 hours per day between September 15 and December 1. Dusk-to-dawn access is permitted during the rest of the year. Additionally, all vehicles are required to posses a valid permit ($10 per day or $40 for an annual permit). Drivers must follow designated routes and are required to avoid dunes, vegetation and marked nesting areas. Restrictions on four-wheel-drive use are in place to protect both resource and visitor. As the beach is relatively isolated, prohibitions make best use of opportunities for staff and emergency vehicles to respond to incidents. Additionally, current restrictions are an attempt to protect species of concern through both location and time of restriction. Economic Impacts of Four-wheel-drive Access Fort Fisher State Recreation Area also plays a vital role in the economy of the region. Although no figures exist for the total economic impact that it has, four-wheel-drive access to the beachfront supports an estimated $21.6 million in annual regional sales, 382 regional jobs, and $3.7 million in annual combined federal, state and local tax revenue. Although four-wheel-drive access is highly contentious, complete discontinuation of vehicular access to FOFI would result in the estimated loss of $11.0 million per year in regional sales, 191 regional jobs, and $1.9 million per year in tax revenues. 2

3 Your Assignment: A Limited VERP Plan for Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Despite the optimism surrounding the legislature s interest in resolving the conflict revolving around four-wheel-drive access and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources subsequent management policy, a defined, long-term management plan is needed. The public, elected officials and environmental agency staff have repeatedly called for progress in its development. Your assignment, therefore, is to develop a limited management plan for this area using VERP as the foundation. You are not restricted to developing this plan based upon the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recommendation. As a matter of fact, in examination of the literature, you may decide upon another course of action. Preparatory Research Examine the literature concerning the issues surrounding four-wheel-drive access at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Your plan should take into account the social, environmental, economic, institutional and legislative factors concerning the issue. Several important resources will be posted on my web site, however, you will probably need to secure additional material to complete your study. These can be found through a web and/or library search. And a visit to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area couldn t hurt either. The Written Document 1) Based upon your analysis of the Assessment of Ocean Beach Vehicular Use at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area explain and justify whether you agree with the Department of Environment and Natural Resource s recommendations for management of the area. Ensure that your analysis addresses the ecosystemic, political, economic and legislative aspects of the conflict and resultant recommendations. 2) Given the relevant information concerning four-wheel-drive access to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area: a) Define and describe an appropriate management zone for each of two areas: Zone 1- Oceanfront beach where four-wheel-access is allowed (east of the fourwheel-drive access trail, north to where the four-wheel-drive access trail turns to the beachfront and south to the border with Bald Head Island State Natural Area (see Fort Fisher State Recreation Area map) Zone 2- Vegetated dune areas scattered throughout the area west of oceanfront beach north to the pedestrian beachfront access trail and south to the border with Bald Head Island State Natural Area (see Fort Fisher State Recreation Area aerial photograph with zoomed example of scattered vegetated dunes) b) Develop a map delineating these zones (you may use either the supplied aerial photographs and maps or develop your own) c) Provide a written justification for each of these two zones based upon: purposes and significance range of desired visitor experiences intended resource conditions 3

4 resource constraints and sensitivities existing infrastructure 3) For each of the two zones you have identified: a) Develop an appropriate resource indicator based upon the following characteristics: Zone 1- turtle nesting Zone 2- dune vegetation b) Develop an appropriate standard (as a true VERP standard, not standard of quality ) for the resource indicator you have developed c) Develop an appropriate monitoring process for the above indicator/standard d) Develop appropriate management actions for the above indicator/standard e) Develop an appropriate social indicator based upon the following characteristics: Zone 1- vehicles Zone 2- dogs f) Develop an appropriate standard (as a true VERP standard, not standard of quality ) for the social indicator you have developed g) Develop an appropriate monitoring process for the above indicator/standard h) Develop appropriate management actions for the above indicator/standard Note that you will need to be creative and analytical in developing your plan. In creating your standards, use your best judgment in determining what an appropriate level might be (e.g. more than 10% loss of vegetation measured 5 feet from the edge of the fence line). It is important that you understand the concept, but not the specifics at this point. In developing your own VERP management plan for this area, examining the on-line sample VERP plan and Arches National Park VERP plan can give you some guidance. Due: Your written plan is due on November 25, Your grade will be based upon both the quality of your VERP plan and the professionalism of its written presentation (including formatting, spelling and grammar). 4

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