We believe there is a current lack of balance between the DBR's approach to recreation, conservation and preservation. Prior to the current Executive Director's hiring in 2018, the the town of Duxbury and the DBR were able to manage an increasing plover population without extended beach closures.
Based on our current assessment of the DBR's management, we believe the DBR is improperly leveraging Endangered Species Regulations to restrict seasonal recreational access to both resident and nonresident over-sand permit holders beyond what is legally required.
- Based on the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover 2021 Annual report, The DBR only utilized half of their allotted takes (6 of 12). According to MA law, limited numbers of plovers can be directed to non-obstructive areas by posting deterrent features. Deterrents are currently utilized at Blakeman’s and the walk-on beach, but are not utilized widely on the over-sand portion of the beach.
- According to the Guidelines, OSV use is permitted, subject to certain limitations, prior to egg hatching and after chick fledging. Under the Plan, escorted OSVs are permitted to drive past a limited number of unfledged piping plover broods subject to impact minimization procedures to reduce the risk of chick mortality. Full closure of the OSV is neither mandated or otherwise necessary.
- Since 1999, substantial investment has been made in creating replicated habitat for plovers and terns. The DBR has been doing far more than preserving habitat; it has been creating additional habitat that otherwise would not exist in those locations.
- Since 2011, the Reservation has been involved in a privately funded predator management program to gain additional take credits with the state. Since the program began, Fox, Coyote, Skunks, Crow, and other predators have been euthanized in order to increase hatch and fledge rates. Since the program began, there has been no measurable reduction in nest losses due to predation.
- The Least Tern is currently only "of special concern" in Massachusetts. Unlike plovers, these birds nest farther up in the dunes and chicks do not venture far from their nests. Despite these key differences, Least Terns are being improperly cited to justify extended beach closures.
Our goal is to raise funding to hire third party conservationists to assess an alternative approach that provides necessary accommodation of the threatened species, while preserving human access for generations to come.