Transcript Working Group I

Spectacle Island
Working Group I: Protected Area
EEOS 324: CZM
Kate Aversa, Amber Hewes, Alexandra Emslie, Ryan Norton
Objective:
• To conserve Spectacle
Island for the enjoyment
of the community,
wildlife, and to protect
the overall Boston
Harbor ecosystem.
Why should we conserve?
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Species protection
Greater good of community
Intrinsic value of natural beauty
To protect harbor ecosystem/coastline
Historic and cultural value
One of few remaining undeveloped areas
Preserve water quality/curb pollution
Preserve harbor views
Boston Harbor Species
• 521 species in 99 plant families on 32 islands
• Widespread native trees in the harbor include gray birch,
hackberry, eastern red cedar, big-tooth aspen, quaking aspen,
and black oak
• Native shrubs and vines include bayberry, stag horn sumac,
wild red raspberry, and poison ivy
• 136 species, 67 of which were suspected of breeding including
Double-crested Cormorants, Herring Gulls, and Great Blackbacked Gulls
• 73 Common Eider nests making Boston Harbor one of the
largest, southernmost nesting areas for this species on the
western Atlantic Ocean
• 7 wading bird colonies including Black-crowned Night-Heron,
Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Glossy Ibis and Little Blue Heron
• 49 species of land birds nested on Boston Harbor islands
• 50 species of migratory birds
How can we conserve?
• Public awareness/advocacy
– Focus on the educational and environmental value
• Community center to highlight historic and Native American
cultural significance
• Seasonal educational (Island Alliance’s “Harbor Connections”) and
recreational events
– Organize community clean-up and planting projects
– Increase public access
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Ferry system
Improve walking/biking paths
Designate picnic area/enforce fire restrictions
Beach access
• Environmental advocacy
– Land use/erosion control
• Restrict beach access
• Increase trees/foliage: 2,400 trees currently in place
• Boating regulations: designate public/private areas, maintain one main pier
– Scientific surveys (terrestrial/marine) for species documentation,
environmental indicators
– Lobby for industrial reform/stricter regulations and designate other
locations for industrial uses
– Involve environmental and policy groups such as the Arbor
Association, Audubon Society, National Parks Service, EPA, MWRA,
etc.
– Donations
• Development Research
– Zoning/Building restrictions
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Transportation problems
Water resource
Septic system
Power source
– Sub-surface surveys: is the land even stable
enough to build on?
• Budget/supplemental funding
– Currently in place: government, philanthropy, use fees,
commercial operations, and
revenue-generating activities.
– Operates under the requirement that federal funding for the
park be matched by nonfederal funding
– Private investors: residents of surrounding communities,
concerned citizens
– Shipping industry advocates
– Native American preservation societies
Resources
• http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/hubline.htm
• http://www.bostonislands.org/manage/manage_admin_fi
nance.html
• http://www.bostonislands.com/site/site_aboutus.html
• http://www.bostonislands.org/learn/learn_teach_theme4.
html
• http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=getabstract&doi=10.1656%2F10926194(2005)12%5B49%3AVFAPCO%5D2.0.CO%3B2
Common eider
• http://www.gdphotography.com/1216.htm
Distribution of Common
eider (Somateria molissima)
www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=38