DBR FAQs

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On 9/2/22 the DBR published a series of FAQs in response to the public outcry for beach management and policy change. See our responses below in bold

Q: Is the Reservation planning on closing driving on Duxbury Beach? 

DBR Answer: The rumor that Duxbury Beach Reservation is planning on closing the drive-on portion of the beach in the future is 100% false. The Reservation has expert staff that has gone to great lengths to provide, to the extent possible, driving and parking on the beach. The Reservation recognizes the importance of families enjoying all aspects of Duxbury Beach. 

SDBO: The Over-Sand vehicle portion of the beach was closed from June 1- Aug 26

Question: Why are crossover closures longer than ever? 

DBR Answer: The crossover closures this year were longer than in previous seasons due to the following: at the beginning of the season the Town closed a crossover which allowed birds to nest without the usual vehicle disturbance that deters birds from nesting in areas, the Piping Plover population increased from 32 pairs in 2021 to 40 pairs in 2022 and lastly the Town made crossover closures based on Town personnel and budget constraints. 

SDBO: The DBR is actively trying to grow the Plover population which is above and beyond what is mandated for federal and state regulations. The extended closures are helping to grow the population, not manage the population as done prior to Cris Luttazi's hiring in 2017.

Q: What is anticipated next year regarding closures? 

DBR Answer: The Duxbury Beach Reservation will be meeting with the Town to discuss beach operation management approaches that will reduce crossover closures in future seasons while adhering to federal and state regulations. 

SDBO: Save Duxbury Beach is awaiting public records from the town to confirm the time and place of this meeting to discuss future beach management.

Q: Who determines when crossovers are closed and opened? 

DBR Answer: The Town is the ultimate decision maker in crossover access while keeping within federal and state regulations. The Town, in most instances, consults with DBR, regarding crossover access during listed species periods. 

SDBO: Save Duxbury Beach is awaiting public records from the town regarding communication between the DBR and the Town, but believes the DBR ultimately makes this decision.

Q: What would happen if the crossovers were opened while a listed species was in the crossover restricted area? 

DBR Answer: The Federal and State regulators have the authority to revoke the Duxbury Beach Reservation's permit to allow recreational vehicles on Duxbury Beach. If the regulations are not followed, the permit would be revoked and roads and parking lots would be closed (with the exception of Gurnet/Saquish residents), Blakeman's would shut down and no traffic would be allowed over the Powder Point Bridge as the vehicle would be on Reservation property once it crossed the bridge.

SDBO: According to the COI submitted by the DBR in 2020, The DBR is allowed to move nests, set up deterrents, and reduce fencing as needed to preserve recreational access per the 

Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Request for Amended Certificate of Inclusion Prepared by: Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. P.O. Box 2593 Duxbury, MA 02331 December 2020  

https://www.mass.gov/doc/duxbury-beach-reservation-request-for-amended-coijan2021/download

Page 49

 4.1.2.3 Recreation and Beach Operations Associated with Nest Moving In the case that reduced proactive fencing is unsuccessful in deterring nesting in an area important for recreational or operational access, the Reservation may request permission from MADFW to move the nest in order to allow access. As noted above, there are specific pathways and parking lots for which this permission may be requested. The need may vary depending on availability for access via other pathways or lots. For example, if Crossover 2 has been closed due to chick activity in the area, and Crossover 3 cannot be opened due to chick location, it would be more important for Crossover 1 to remain open for recreational and operational use as it is the sole remaining access. The Reservation proposes to implement nest moving as a covered activity as a last effort following reduced proactive fencing and only in cases where reduced symbolic fencing around nests is inadequate to reopen an access point or parking lot. 

Q: Who determines how long the beach is opened for during the day? 

DBR Answer: The Town invites folks to recreate on the beach and sets all opening and closing times on the beach. 

SDBO: According to the COI submitted by the DBR in 2020 Beach ours are as follows:

Summer Season (Memorial Day Weekend-Labor Day Weekend) 

• 8am-10pm Sunday-Thursday 
• 8am-11pm Friday-Saturday (Holiday Sundays/Holidays) 

Early Fall Season (Tuesday after Labor Day-September 30  

• 8:30am - 9:00pm

Late Fall Season (October 1- October 31)  

• 8:30am - 3:30pm (Sun-Thurs)
• 8:30am - 7:30pm (Fri-Sat) 

The town has confirmed that they set the opening and closing times of the beach based on tides and available resources.

Q: What is the relationship between DBR and Mass Audubon? 

DBR Answer: Up until four years ago, Duxbury Beach Reservation hired Mass Audubon to manage the listed species program. Once professional management began at DBR, Mass Audubon was released from this service. DBR retains Mass Audubon to provide free public educational classes 3x/week in July and August. 

- https://www.duxburybeachreservation.org/staffofficers Of the 5 paid staff members, 4 came to the DBR from Audubon.

Q: Are there any directors on the board with Mass Audubon ties? 

DBR Answer: No Reservation board directors have ever worked for or served in any board or trustee capacity for Mass Audubon or the Audubon Society. 

- The Board of Directors hired the Audubon staff https://www.duxburybeachreservation.org/staffofficers