Otis Pike Fire Island High Dunes Management Concerns, and Increased Demand for Use of Wilderness, Comprising Approximately 1,380 Acres of the the Area
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior FIRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE Wilderness Stewardship Plan and Backcountry Camping Policy Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness 2016 Table of Contents Chapter One: Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Chapter Two: Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Chapter Three: Backcountry and Wilderness Description ....................................................................................................................................... 8 General Boundary Description ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter Four: Wilderness/ Backcountry Use .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Access To Fire Island Wilderness And Adjacent Great South Beach .....................................................................................................................................10 Day Use ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Hunting .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Overnight Use: Wilderness And Backcountry Camping ......................................................................................................................................................................11 Scientific Activities ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Chapter Five: Wilderness Character .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Chapter Six: Wilderness Management ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Wilderness Character Monitoring ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Use Of The Minimum Requirements Analysis ..............................................................................................................................................................................................16 Utility Companies .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Commercial Services .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Motorized And Mechanical Use .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Restoration ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Fire Management ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Wildlife And Vegetation Management .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Interpretation And Education ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Breach Management ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Chapter Seven: Management Facilities ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Roads, Trails, And Vehicle Cuts ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Pedestrian Dune Crossings .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Signs ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Navigational Aids ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Wilderness Visitor Center .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 A. Fire Island National Seashore Enabling Legislation ..........................................................................................................................................................................23 B. Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness Enabling Legislation .................................................................................................................................. 28 C. Map of the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness ............................................................................................................................................................29 D. Monitoring Trends in Wilderness Character of the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness ...............................................30 FIRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE :: WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP PLAN :: 2016 3 1. Purpose and Need The purpose of this Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) and Backcountry Camping Policy is to guide Fire Island National Seashore (the Seashore) in making decisions regarding the future use and protection of the congressionally designated Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness (the Fire Island Wilderness) and areas adjacent to the wilderness that are designated backcountry camping areas. This plan revises and updates the 1983 Wilderness Management Plan, incorporating elements of the National Park Service (NPS) Wilderness Education and Partnership Plan (June 6, 2002) and the NPS Wilderness Stewardship Plan Handbook (August 11, 2004). It identifies the core qualities of wilderness character and outlines the framework through which the Fire Island Wilderness can be preserved, consistent with law, policy, and the specific legislative history applicable to this wilderness.