I applaud the extensive efforts the Refuge Staff has made in responding in
detail to the comments that have appeared on Cayuga Birds with respect to
the
requirement that visitors to Wildlife Drive must remain in their vehicles. I
speak as a birder who feels privileged to have such an exceptional birding
venue nearby, and as a regular volunteer who also feels privileged to have
the opportunity to help maintain and improve the facility for wildlife. I
feel that the rule
requiring visitors to remain in vehicles is reasonable and soundly based,
and respectfully disagree with those who suggest otherwise. It is my
conclusion that in recent years the Refuge has made many valuable
improvements and expansions, with plans for many more that have, and will,
benefit both wildlife and those who come to appreciate wildlife. Self
serving criticism serves no useful purpose. I would encourage those who
truly consider Montezuma a valuable asset to the region to volunteer their
time to preserve and improve the facility for BOTH wildlife and visitors.
Through volunteering, and there are numerous opportunities, one can expect
to have the opportunity to make improvements and better understand how
Montezuma
executes its mission.
David S. Marsh
-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Steckler
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2014 12:35 PM
To: Ziemba, Linda ; CAYUGABIRDS-L
Subject: Re: [cayugabirds-l] Foot Traffic on the Wildlife Drive at the
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
I have to respectively disagree with your conclusion and decision to
curtail people getting out of their cars on the wildlife drive.
First viewing is severely restricted by the vegetation that has been
allowed to grow along the drive necessitating that one get out of the
car to see anything that is not flying.
Second the traffic of the personnel working on the terraforming causes
much more disruption. I realize that this is necessary, but it does
cause more disruption than foot traffic. This would be compounded by
providing and maintaining additional stops along the drive.
Third the complaints you have received have come from a very few people.
If you were to conduct a survey you would find that most people have no
problem with others getting out of the car and in fact end up seeing
much more of the wildlife they come to see. If you want a pristine
refuge with a severely restricted viewing public either close the gates
or have everyone ride on buses to view wildlife.
Fourth what you will create is a situation where your inforcement
officers will have to spend much more of their limited time herding the
viewing public back into their cars instead of their much more important
jobs.
Fifth in reality the problem is very much self regulating. Most people
who get out of their cars do so for short periods and if they see
someone going toff the road will say something. You would have a much
better use of your limited funds by allowing people to be out of their
cars on the drive and posting signs to stay on the drive.
Sixth your proposal would severely limit the use of the wildlife drive
to educational groups where there are several vehicles in a group.
Those in the front will see something while those further back will not.
Also this will curtail the use of using a spotting scope to view
wildlife that is not close to the drive.
In conclusion please rethink your decision to restrict the drive and
make it more friendly to the viewing public who in reality own and pay
for the refuge. I do believe that the intended purpose in allowing the
viewing public is part of your mandate. Perhaps you should invite some
of your users to meet with and comment to your policy makers.
Thank you
Carl Steckler
607 592 8798
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