Thank you for the update Gene.  And also for all the years you have 
represented the interests of MOS, the birding community, and of course, the 
BIRDS!

this is sad news but it seems there is a disconnect somewhere.  I understand 
why the general public should not be allowed at this time or in the near future, 
for obvious concerns with safety and liability.

However, this was a hugely successful example of the beneficial use of 
dredged material, and for years now you and MOS have worked in cooperation 
with the state (MES) and the HMI-DMCF, to monitor and report on the status 
of faunal use of the island, especially avifauna and specifically shorebirds.

This has led to the vast data set that you have compiled, which quantitatively 
and qualitatively led to the realization of the ecological significance of this 
valuable habitat created by the facility (at the Chespeake Bay ecosystem 
level, and perhaps even larger than that scale).  Its ecological value has been 
obvious for many years now, but a missing component is the value it will have 
when operations cease in 2009, and what changes will occur (to the coastal 
habitat value and its faunal use).

I think it is critical to have this needed data, and we must urge the state to 
realize this now.  It is needed not only for monitoring the general health of the 
Chespeake Bay, but for evaluating the management actions of this type of 
coastal restoration/enhancement project so that WELL-INFORMED decisions 
can be made in the future on similar activities (Poplar Island) - that will no 
doubt continue for as long as people want to use the Chesapeake Bay.

Obviously in order to quantify and qualify this, MOS and the state will need 
data.  The state has an existing rapport with MOS at the HMI-DMCF, and I 
think it should be fairly simple to persuade the state to allow you on behalf of 
MOS to continue to do the weekly surveys, as long as ALL persons sign a 
liability release so that the state cannot be held liable for any claims made 
from an individual or group that has the specific authority to be on the island 
to conduct these faunal surveys.  And I think this could be done on a shared 
cost basis, between the state and MOS, or Audubon, ABC, and even private 
individuals.  I would certainly be willing to pay a small fee for the privilege of 
participating in such a survey, and I think many others would too.

HMI is simply one of the best opportunites anywhere in the state not only for 
observing shorebirds, but for making an important research contribution to 
ecological knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay.  I have always had remarkably 
good and educational days there; even on the slow days most of my 
experiences there have been dramatic in terms of personal insight and 
educational value.

Could we draft some type of Memorandum of Agreement with the state?  I 
think this would be relatively simple, but understand there are many hoops to 
jump through.  I have done many of these at my job and am very familiar with 
this.

Let me know offline if there is any thing I can help with.

Jeff Shenot
Croom MD