To all who have visited Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge or plan to visit in the future (This includes Blackpoint Wildlife Drive), I encourage to read the land use proposal published by Kennedy Space Center.
NASA is planning to build an additional launch site. They are meeting in New Smyrna with local today to get our feedback on the proposal. They have narrowed their search down to 2 sites. Site 1 (aka Site A) is within the KSC secured area and will not have an impact on the public. Site 2 (aka Site E) runs along CR3 and will make Blackpoint, Bio Lab Road, the Hammock Trail, Mosquito Lagoon and The Scrub Ridge Trail off limits to the public.
The Merritt Island area is a very ecologically sensitive area and is home to several endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. I am glad to see them take this into their site selection process. The area is also one of the best birding areas I have ever visited. People come from around the globe to go birding in Merritt Island. I feel privileged to have it in my "back yard".
If you would not like to see Site 2 used, please send an email to [email protected] and voice your opinion.
NASA had a meeting in Titusville last night and more than 300 people showed up.
NASA is viewing this as a local issue. I'd like them to hear from all birders affected so they see the global impact this will have.
Please post your comments so that we can keep this post active for a few days. Thank you.
I don't live in the US and will probably never visit Merritt Island but the protection of this type of ecologically sensitive area should be of concern to all of us. I have read the documents in the link and, now that I am aware of this issue, I will follow the story with interest.
I merrit your willingness to speak in this matter. Thanks to good people like yourself who help bring very important issues like this to are attention. I had no idea that they were considering this as a option. From what I understand the park is allready federally owned and it might be simply out of are hands. Unfortunatly, the current administration is pretty much set on bumping up are space program to compete on a global level. This is a area that that we are really falling back on due to GW's cuts over the war costs. I think most of us would agree that we are outdoor activists and would do anything to protect are beloved wildlife and the great outdoors world wide. So, I ask you. What can we do to help? What solutions do you and your neighbors have in mind to stop this potential habitate threat? Have you started anything? Can you provide some links to bring us up-to date.. Thanks, Daniel
Thanks for the heads up. I have sent my e-mail and hope they will make a wise decision. We might need to go into space to find new things to photograph if development continues as it is.
Anyone concerned with this issue. I have started a petition aimed at NASA. All the information in how to sign the petition etc is available through the above link. I have about 165 signatures so far & every signature matters on this issue. So please sign on the petition.
Great issue and effort to protect the environment! The US Navy proposed building a practice landing strip in a remote area of eastern North Carolina. Countless migaratroy birds use the area. The latest and greatest jet fighter aircraft doing touch downs and landings/take offs would have devastated what has been a haven for birds for countless years. The landing strip had the backing of the US Navy and the US Dept of Defense. NC State political efforts and primarily grass roots level efforts have defeated the air strip being built in this sensitive location. Bill
Thanks to all who have read this post, commented and especially those that have sent emails to KSC. Thanks to Lil for the petition. I have signed it and encourage all to sign it.
I have posted this message on all of the forums that I belong to and ask that others post the links to the petition and the link in this thread to KSC on other forums that they belong to.
I really feel that we all can make a difference. The feedback that I got from my post on birdphotograhers.net has been very positive as many members are Florida residents and some were able to attend the meetings.
I was initially outraged when I read the article in the Sunday paper. Once I read the proposal on the KSC web site, I calmed down a little. I still feel that the more people who voice their opinions the more will make an impact.
There are some that do not even want Site 1 used as it will mean more days that the refuge will be closed to the public. The refuge already closes for the entire day that space shuttle launches occur. The NASA officials had no info on how many launches would take place at this facility. The proposal states that the area will be closed during launches and fueling at the new facility. I am sure that the building of the facility will impact wildlife even at Site 1, but since the public has no access to this area, we have no idea what the area looks like other than a view from satellite images. (Which would not be possible without KSC.)
Florida has just recently discovered the impact of ecotourism and has begun promoting it. The use of site 2 will be 2 steps backwards on this initiative.
The proposed site will have two commercial users. We have not been told who they are or even if there are companies that have already signed on to the project.
The NASA officials have confirmed that the use of Site 2 will definitely close public access to the entire refuge on a permanent basis.
The issue in not just a birding issue as many consider this area prime for fishing and hunting, not that I consider either to be positive for the ecosystem, but further impacts the public usage issue.
I work for a sports organization that's mission is giving back to the community and the sport. KSC already owns the land that the refuge is on... maybe their way of giving back. But regardless, the existence of the facility has kept the area pristine. Otherwise it would look like the rest of the Florida coast... motels and condos and restricted access to the ocean.
