CHINCOTEAGUE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Chincoteague, Virginia

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 2002

Refuge Manager Date Refuge Supervisor Review Date

Regional Office Approval Date INTRODUCTION

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is located primarily in Accomack County, Virginia with approximately 418 acres in Worcester County, Maryland. Most of the over 14,000-acre refuge is located on the southern end of Assateague Island, a 37-mile long, mid- Atlantic, coastal, barrier island on the east side of the Delmarva Peninsula. In addition, the refuge operates three divisions that are located on islands which, including Assateague Island, extend over 30 miles along the Atlantic Coast. Assawoman Island Division contains 1,434 acres and encompasses the entire island; Metompkin Island Division consists of 174 acres on the north end of the island; and, Cedar Island Division contains over 1,400 acres in fee title and 600 acres in easements. Additional lands can be found on the north end of Chincoteague Island, Wildcat Marsh (546 acres) and on Morris Island (427 acres) which is located between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

The refuge was established in 1943 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act to provide migration and wintering habitat for migratory birds. Since 1943 refuge objectives have been expanded to include: preserving and enhancing endangered species; protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory and non-migratory species; maintaining indigenous species; and, providing opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.

In 1965, after severe storms, Assateague Island was designated a National Seashore administered by the National Park Service (NPS) with provisions for the southern end to remain a wildlife refuge under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The NPS acts as an agent of the FWS by administering recreational programs on that portion of the refuge beach known as Toms Cove Hook. The NPS authorities and programs are in accordance with provisions of a General Agreement between the FWS and NPS.

In 1969, a refuge Interpretive Plan identified the need for a Visitor Contact Station (VCS) and a full fledged visitor facility. Visitation at that time was 500,000 visits annually. The VCS became a reality in 1974, as visitation continued to rise; however, various problems prevented the construction of the visitor facility in the 1970's and 1980's. With the completion of the Master Plan in 1993, the stage was set to make another attempt at the much needed visitor facility, as visitation in the 1990's exceeded 1.4 million. Construction began in 2002, with over 1.5 million annual visits being recorded that year. This fact makes Chincoteague Refuge on of the most visited refuges in the nation, and one that is internationally renowned for its abundant wildlife, sandy beaches, and Chincoteague ponies. INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS...... 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS...... 2

C. LAND ACQUISITION ...... Nothing to Report

1. Fee Title ...... Nothing to Report 2. Easements ...... Nothing to Report 3. Other ...... Nothing to Report

D. PLANNING ...... 5

1. Master Planning ...... Nothing to Report 2. Management Plans ...... 5 3. Public Involvement ...... 5 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates ...... 7 5. Research and Investigations...... 8 6. Other ...... 10

E. ADMINISTRATION...... 14

1. Personnel...... 14 2. Youth Programs ...... 27 3. Other Manpower Programs...... Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program...... 28 5. Funding ...... 36 6. Safety ...... 37 7. Technical Assistance...... 40 8. Other ...... 42

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT ...... 45

1. General...... 45 2. Wetlands ...... 45 3. Forest...... Nothing to Report 4. Croplands ...... Nothing to Report 5. Grasslands...... Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitat...... Nothing to Report

i 7. Grazing...... 45 8. Haying...... Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management ...... 46 10. Pest Control...... 46 11. Water Rights ...... Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas...... Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring...... Nothing to Report

G. WILDLIFE ...... 48

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... 48 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ...... 48 3. Waterfowl ...... 54 4. Marsh and Wading Birds ...... 55 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ...... 55 6. Raptors ...... 56 7. Other Migratory Birds...... 56 8. Game Mammals...... 57 9. Marine Mammals...... 60 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... 60 11. Scientific Collections...... Nothing to Report 12. Animal Control ...... 61 13. Marking and Banding...... Nothing to Report 14. Disease Prevention and Control...... Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE...... 62

1. General...... 62 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students ...... 66 3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers...... 71 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... 71 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... 76 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... 77 7. Other Interpretive Programs...... 84 8. Hunting ...... 88 9. Fishing...... 88 10. Trapping...... Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation...... 88 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Activities...... 89 13. Camping...... 90 14. Picnicking ...... 90 15. Off Road Vehicling...... 90 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation...... 90

ii 17. Law Enforcement...... 91 18. Cooperating Associations ...... 104 19. Concessions...... 105

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES...... 105

1. New Construction ...... 105 2. Rehabilitation...... 106 3. Major Maintenance ...... 108 4. Equipment and Utilization...... 111 5. Computer Systems ...... 112 6. Energy Conservation...... 112 7. Other ...... 112

J. OTHER ITEMS...... 112

1. Cooperative Programs...... Nothing to Report 2. Other Economic Use...... Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest...... 112 4. Credits...... 113

K. FEEDBACK...... 114

L. INFORMATION PACKET...... Back Cover

iii A. HIGHLIGHTS

• Effects of Prescribed Fire on Vegetation and Delmarva Fox Squirrel Habitat use in a Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plan Forest research project initiated. (Section D.5)

• Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center Construction takes off (Section D.6)

• It’s Showtime - Showtime Exhibit Builders selected for HHBEAC exhibits fabricators (Section D.6)

• New faces at the refuge (Section E.1)

• Volunteers Contribute 16,547 hours (Section E.4)

• Piping Plovers have a good year with 1.56 fledgings per nesting pair (Section G.2)

• Ground Breaking Ceremony for HHBEAC (Section H.1)

• Refuge Visitation soars to over 1.5 million (Section H.5)

• Refuge Law Enforcement responds to 1,590 incidents (Section H.17)

• Chincoteague Natural History Association initiates wildlife tours (Section H.18)

1 B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Weather conditions did not continue to follow a pattern similar to the past two years. This calendar year’s conditions varied from extremely mild and dry to extremely wet in the later part of the year. No major storms or Noreaster occurred. Most of the severe weather remained well south of the Delmarva Peninsula. Unusually warm temperatures occurred in every month except December with highs well above freezing recorded in most of the winter months. January and February; normally the coldest months of the year, recorded high temperature of 23q C (73qF) and 20qC (68qF), respectively. This year, as was the past two years, the summer months (May through August) were extremely dry with very little precipitation with the exception of June. All impoundments beginning in early summer remained dry through the end of September.

Precipitation was scattered throughout the year with March, April, June, October, November, and December receiving above normal precipitation. Precipitation was well above normal for October through December with adequate water in all moist soil management units. The lowest recorded monthly precipitation was in February which received only 2.08 cm (0.82 in) of rain; 5.71 cm (2.25 in) below the 35 year average. With the last quarter of the year recording well above normal precipitation, this year’s precipitation was above normal for the year. Total rainfall was 107.55 cm (42.3 in); which was 8.18 cm (4.04 in) above the 35-year average for this area. The first half of the year recorded an increase in normal precipitation with 4.95 cm (2.65 in) above the normal for the period. The second half of the year also recorded an increase in precipitation with 3.85 cm (1.63 in) above normal.

Once again weather forecasters predicted several severe hurricanes this year for the Eastern Tropical Storm Region. Only a few hurricanes were reported within the tropical hurricane coastal area, however, most stayed well south of the Carolinas and well out to sea and did not have any significant impact on the Delmarva Peninsula or the refuge.

Only one significant winter storms brought snow to the refuge this year in January with up to 15.24 cm (6") which did not stayed on the ground very long.

2 3 Table 1: Summary of Monthly Weather Conditions on Chincoteague NWR, Assateague Island, Virgina

TEMP PRECIP PRECIP MAX TEMP + / - + / - MAX MAX (qC- MINIMUM PRECIP PRECIP NORMAL NORMAL WIND WIND MONTH qF) (qC-qF) (cm) (in) (cm) (in) (kph) (mph)

JAN 23 - 73 -5 - 22 7.31 2.88 -1.01 -0.40 65 41

FEB 20 - 68 -4 - 24 2.08 0.82 -5.72 -2.25 66 41

MAR 24 - 74 -5 - 23 17.7 6.97 +8.12 +3.20 67 42

APR 31 - 88 3 - 31 10.54 4.15 +3.83 +1.51 57 36

MAY 28 - 83 6 - 43 3.61 1.42 -4.49 -1.77 60 38

JUN 34 - 93 14 - 56 12.07 4.75 +4.22 +1.66 57 36

JUL 36 - 96 16 - 60 4.14 1.63 -4.90 -1.93 41 25

AUG 34 - 94 16 - 60 5.33 2.10 -4.30 -1.69 45 28

SEP 34 - 93 14 - 56 8.20 3.23 -0.30 -0.13 49 31

OCT 31 - 88 5 - 42 16.99 6.69 +9.57 +3.77 47 29

NOV 21 - 70 -3 - 26 11.13 4.38 +3.79 +1.49 58 36

DEC 14 - 57 -5 - 22 8.41 3.31 +0.12 +.12 57 36

4 TOTALS -- -- 107.55 42.33 9.12 3.58 -- –

5 D. PLANNING

2. Management Plans

The refuge submitted the following programs for review and subsequent approval:

9 Annual Predator Control 9 Annual Water Management 9 Annual Migratory Bird and Big Game Hunting

3. Public Involvement

Community Leaders and Partners Meetings:

During 2002, six Community Leaders and Partners Meeting were held; a brief history of these meetings follows:

· Meetings were initiated by the FWS Regional Office early in 1988 due to various issues surrounding the refuge; regional staff were in attendance; and the participants included those from the County, Town, and Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce.

· They were continued in 1989 with the arrival of RM Schroer and continued throughout the Master Planning process.

· Following the planning process, the refuge requested the Town to appoint a committee to work with FWS and NPS to discuss the beach parking and access issue, as called for in the Master Plan.

· This committee, the Beach Access and Parking Committee was formed and began meeting on an informal basis in 1996; this committee also discussed other issues and basically took the place of the Community Leaders Meetings.

· In 1999, then Councilman Jack Tarr recommended that the committee be made more formal and concentrate on transportation issues; a new Town transportation committee, Chincoteague - Assateague Transportation and Access Committee (CATAC) was formed during the summer of 1999.

· As of the close of 1999, that committee had not met; therefore, RM Schroer decided to reconvene the old concept of these meetings which have been going on ever since January 2000.

The purpose of these meetings is to:

6 · Maintain open lines of communication between community leaders/partners and the two federal agencies, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service

· More effectively deal with and reduce rumors

· Solicit input and comments on NPS and FWS proposals

· Have participants who are willing to take information back to their respective organizations and to share with others in the community

The major change in the make up of these meetings from those conducted in the past was the participants. The original Community Leaders Meeting consisted only of representatives from the County, Town and local Chamber of Commerce. The new Community Leaders and Partners Meetings consist of representatives from the following, in addition to Congressional aides and the Seashore Superintendent, Mike Hill:

Accomack County Town of Chincoteague Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company Chincoteague Downtown Merchants Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers Chincoteague Natural History Association Assateague Federation of Mobile Sport Fishermen

The forum of these meetings is very open and many topics were discussed during the six meetings which were held during the year. Some of the major areas of discussion were: kayak tours; Wallops Island NWR hunt; Special Event for Special People; ORV permit cost; HHBEAC status; piping plovers; the boat landing informational kiosks; beach management; Weekend of the Islands; scooters/mopeds; kite flying; Canada geese damage; beach wheelchairs; the Old Coast Guard Station; nutria; Billy B Performance; Centennial; Chincoteague bridge situation; downtown renovations; town’s plan of trolley system; Thunder on the Island; ORV use and establishment of a fishing only area; beach clean-up; Taking a Kid Fishing event; NPS areas of emphasis; NPS’s newspaper; shoreline restoration; refuge hunts; possible Presidential event; and many more.

The Refuge Revenue Sharing Check for $4,653.00 was presented to Town Manager Jim West during one of these meetings.

Accomack County:

7 In August, RM Schroer spoke to the Accomack County Board of Supervisors meeting. He announced that the Refuge Revenue Sharing check in the amount of $161,993.00 had been delivered to the county the previous month. He also gave an update on the HHBEAC and thanked the County for their support both financially and in allowing Wanda Thornton to serve on a local committee which was promoting the need for the HHBEAC. Questions were answered concerning refuge programs.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

Thanks to a partnership with the National Park Service and National Council for Preservation Education, Shelley Hight, Regional Archeologist, was able to obtain a Museum Property Intern to be shared by Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge, and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Chincoteague Refuge served as the base for operation. The duties of this intern will include writing an Integrated Pest Management Plan and Housekeeping Plan for each of the three refuges. Intern Eric Shindleholtz started work on January 14 and finished his 400 hour internship in March. Staff can apply these guidelines to the varying locations of the museum property during this transition to the HHBEAC.

During January, a request was sent in to the Army Corps of Engineers, Accomack for concurrence on permit requirements needed for the dry hydrant associated with the HHBEAC. The letter was a follow up to conversation that DRM Roster had with COE representative. Several follow up attempts to contact were to no avail and at the end of the calendar year there was still no contact from the COE.

An updated section 7 evaluation form was submitted to the Chesapeake Bay Field Office (CBFO) in June to adjust the refuge’s Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel biological program to better meet the objectives of the benchmark analysis, the refuge’s objectives of long term monitoring, and determine the best method to estimate the squirrel’s population on the refuge. The proposed activities include replacing ear tags with passive integrated transponder tags, relocating and adding nest boxes, increasing trapping effort when feasible, and radio- telemetry based on specific management objectives. Concurrence with the section 7 evaluation was received in August from the CBFO.

In September, section 7 evaluation was submitted to CBFO concerning refuge activities of beach clean-up and falcon banding program near known Seabeach Amaranth areas. The CBFO concurred with refuge findings and activities commenced after amaranth areas were marked with PVC pipes and rope to ensure pants did not get trampled.

5. Research and Investigations

8 The following is a synopsis of new research projects started and on-going research conducted on the refuge during 2002:

Chincoteague NR ‘97 - “Monitoring the Fall Migration of Monarch Butterfly in Eastern North America”. (51570-03-97-CHN).

Mrs. Denise Gibbs, a Naturalist volunteer with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and an associate, Mona Miller, conducted surveys to evaluate a quantitative methodology for estimating the relative size of the monarch's annual fall migrations along the Atlantic Coastal barrier islands. Data provided this year for the annual monarch survey indicated that this was one of the poorest productive year since the survey began in 1997. A total of only 466 monarchs were counted this year compared to over 3,000 last year. The extreme drought conditions combined with reduced available flowering food plants and unfavorable winds keep most of the migration well to the west of the Chesapeake Bay.

Chincoteague NR 99 - “Breeding Passerine Survey Using Mist Netting Techniques at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (51570-02-99-CHN)

Mr. Richard Roberts, Refuge Volunteer, initiated this long-term banding study in May of 1999 to collected data on populations of breeding passerine’s on the refuge using mist net and banding techniques. The banding program was coordinated with the refuge’s breeding bird transects and GIS database needs. The banding stations also provided staff training and environmental education to the public. This year, 1,160 visitors were given banding demonstrations. Because of the continued banding success during the breeding season, the banding program has been extended to include the fall migration period.

The total number of birds of new birds processed during 2002 was 966, and 28 birds banded in previous years were recaptured. The total number of birds banded in the past four year’s of the project include over 90 different species, however, 80% of the birds banded during this time period are represented in the following 20 species: yellow-rumped warbler, common yellowthroat, gray catbird, song sparrow, house wren, field sparrow, northern cardinal, common grackle, yellow-breasted chat, swamp sparrow, carolina wren, red-eyed vireo, yellow warbler, white-eyed vireo, American robin, orchard oriole, magnolia warbler, western palm warbler, and slate-colored junco. Fourteen of these top twenty are locally breeding birds with the remainder being migrants.

Chincoteague NR 99 - “Long-term Monitoring of Saltmarsh Vegetation Zones for Evidence of Relative Sea-Level Rise” Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (51570-04-99-CHN)

Dr. Robert Christian, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC initiated this long-term

9 study to monitor the effects of sea level rise on salt marshes. The objectives of the study are: 1) the hypothesis of the larger experiment is that state changes from upland forest to open water are in part the result of increased inundation of an area caused by an increase in relative sea-level. Intermediate states include organic high marsh and mineral low marsh, and 2) sites will be monitored for changes in the vegetation presence and dominance at a particular location that represents low marsh, high marsh, and forest transition at the beginning of the experiment. Soils will also be characterized.

Data collection began in the summer of 2000 and will continue for up to of 10 years. Yearly reports will be available when enough data are collected within a few years.

Chincoteague NR 01 - “Understanding the Geography and Pathways of West Nile Virus (51570-01-01CHN)

Dr. Robert G. McLean, Director, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, Wisconsin began this monitoring program in 1999 to conduct sampling for an investigation into the movement of West Nile Virus in migratory passerine birds. Sampling occurred in the spring (May) and fall (September) of 2002. A total of 52 species (20 Spring and 32 Fall) were mist-netted and blood samples taken for analysis. A repeat of the sampling will occur during the 2003 season.

Chincoteague NR 01 - “A Comparison of Aggressive Interactions in Feral Horses, Equus caballus, based on Population Control Mechanism (51570-03-01-CHN)

Ms. Casey Lott, a student from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, began this study to determine whether there is a difference in aggression between members of bands of equines due to the method of population control, i.e., natural reproduction and yearly auctioning of offspring (the Virginia side Assateague horses) vs. population control via immunostimulants (the Maryland side Assateague horses). It is hypothesized that there will be increased aggression in the population controlled by immunostimulants as compared to the population which is allowed to reproduce naturally, because stallions will continue to compete for access to mares which have not (and will not) become pregnant. This study is expected to be completed by the winter of 2001 with a final report by spring of 2002. The final report is not available at this time.

Chincoteague NR02 - Effects of Prescribed Fire on Vegetation and Delmarva Fox Squirrel Habitat Use in a Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Forest (51570-04-01-CHN)

Ms. Erin Kulynycz, a masters degree candidate at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, and a SCEP employee for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated this research as part of a Joint Fire Science Program regional study to meet the following objectives: (1) compare forest vegetation pre- and post-burn; (2) estimate Delmarva fox squirrel (DFS) movements pre- and post-burn; (3) relate DFS movements to habitat use pre-

10 and post-burn; and (4) develop management recommendations regarding the use of prescribed fire to improve DFS habitat.

Data collection began in March 2002 in a control and treatment plot in the area of White Hills on the refuge. Twenty adult DFS were radio-collared and tracked at least 3 times per week. Pre-burn vegetation sampling was conducted in July 2002 in random 300m2 circular plots.

Preliminary results indicate that for DFS, there are 232 locations in the control plot, 332 locations in the treatment, and 143 locations outside the study area. Pre-burn vegetation results have shown that dominant woody stems include: holly (Ilex opaca), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and high-bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). She found a difference in understory vegetation due to a greater stem density dominated by wetland plants in the treatment site such as Juncus sp., Diodia sp., and Hydrocotyle sp. Other dominant understory plants were greenbrier (Smilax sp.), grape (Vitis sp.), grasses

6. Other

Education and Interpretive Complex:

In February, RM Schroer visited Capitol Hill to give and update and to express the Refuge’s thanks to congressionals who had supported the HHBEAC project. Deputy Regional Chief Sue McMahon accompanied RM Schroer to meet with Ann Loomis of Senator Warner’s

staff. Sue discussed the plans for regional fishing events and the Centennial. Regional Chief Tony Leger participated in the visit with Conrad Shotta, aide to Senator Allen. The same

11 subjects were discussed.SORP Tracy provided Senator John Warner with an orientation of the new HHBEAC on April 3. She also provided him with a tour of the refuge.Even though the construction of the HHBEAC began in January, the planning for the construction of the building continued during the entire year. Monthly meetings were held with Mid-Eastern Builders, CUH2A, the On-site Inspector and the FWS representatives, CO Lee Bradley, Engineer Kurt Otting and RM Schroer, who also acted as the Project Manager. These meetings were at times very intense as many issues arose between the contractor and the design firm. The major issues were the structural steel, roof panels, and windows. The meetings also covered the schedule which was a moving target throughout the year, with the initial completion date being February 9, 2003 then moving into May 2003 and finally at the December meeting moving back into April 2003. In addition to the buildings, planning continued in high gear for the exhibits for the HHBEAC.

In April, an evaluation team, consisting of Sarah Bevilacqua and Julie Rowand of the Regional Office and RM Schroer and SORP Tracy, met to review the proposals from 19 companies. CO Bradley did an evaluation of the costs and assigned a score based on the pricing. This score was added to the average technical score given by the team. This lead to an eventual award to Showtime Exhibits of NJ. In the months to following, a number of meetings were held with this company, with numerous problems arising such as their inability to post a bond to lack of progress on the project. Showtime Exhibits failed to secure the proper bond, and despite numerous attempts on the part of CO Bradley, the bond was not forthcoming. CO Bradley issue a letter advising them of the possibility of default which lead to a meeting in August. At that meeting, both President Bob Colflesh and Vice President Alan Sizmur gave their assurances that the bond would be in place within two weeks and that they would provide additional securities in the mean time. This commitment failed to happen and an arrangement was made to forego the bond in lieu of some other protective considerations. In a December meeting, Showtime’s representatives indicated that they had failed to include the lighting work in their bid and would not be doing that phase of the contract without additional compensation. This fact coupled with their other shortcoming lead to the termination of their contract in early January 2003 for default.

Many other staff also assisted in conducting reviews and assisting with the finding of suitable slides. Portions of this planning efforts centered on: the planning for the videos that will be used in the HHBEAC; the acquisition of slides and illustrations; coordinating the 4X5 photography; finalizing the script. In addition, considerable time was devoted by the staff in planning for the furnishings to be placed in the new facility. Even though this work was done by CUH2A, many items had to be changed and/or added to the list. Staff tested chairs and picked fabric colors.

Transportation:

Chincoteague and Assateague Transportation and Access Committee:

12 During the year, RM Schroer or DRM Roster attended the nearly monthly meeting of the Chincoteague and Assateague Transportation and Access Committee. This committee was formed at the request of RM Schroer to help plan for the eventual loss or reduction in the amount of beach parking. As the land base for this parking is reduced by natural processes, the economy of the town will be dependent on finding alternate ways to access the beach.

In February, RM Schroer attended a Town meeting at which Harold Paxton of VADOT presented the 2020 Chincoteague Transportation Plan to the town.

Bicycle Trail and other Transportation Issues:

In June, RM Schroer, DRM Roster, and SROS Stotts met with Anna Franzino and David Alvarez of the Federal Highway Administration, Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division to discuss refuge projects, which were thought to be scheduled for FY 2003. These projects include: the bicycle trail, lighthouse parking lot and repair of the road shoulders on Beach Road. Later in the year, the discovery was made that these projects are scheduled for FY 2004.

In August, Richard Yee and Kevin Jacobs of the regional engineering office visited the refuge to discuss the plans for a bicycle trail which is to parallel Beach Road. This trail is being planned in anticipation of the loss of Swan Cove Trail in the not too distant future. Richard Yee had prepared draft drawings which were reviewed and commented on by refuge staff. These comments were discussed on site during their visit. Richard Yee later submitted an updated version which were supplied to Department of Transportation personnel for review.

Other:

RM Schroer was on a team to come up with a method of allocating base funding to refuges in FY 2003. Others on this team were Sue Rice, Stan Shutek, Paul Casey, Pat Markinovitch and Jeff Momot. They met in April at the Long Island NWR Complex and devised a plan which was submitted to the Regional Office.

RM Schroer also served on a Regional Biological Planning Team to discuss ways to improve communications between refuges and the regional biologists. A meeting was held at Patuxent NWR with follow up reviews of recommendations.

RM Schroer also met with other managers from the south zone to discuss ways to improve refuge operations and to assist each other. Several meetings were held during the year. Topics during these meetings ranged from funding and staffing to equipment sharing. Recommendations from these meetings were forwarded to the Regional Chief of Refuges. In addition, the team developed an Impact Plan as part of the Invest in People initiative.

13 Several times during the year, RM Schroer attended meetings to discuss the use of the Old Coast Guard Station. This station which is owned by the National Park Service (NPS) became very controversial when a study was completed to try and find a use for the station which would provide for the needed maintenance. NPS was accused, by very few but very vocal individuals using the news media, of trying to destroy the naturalness of Assateague Island. Since the FWS owns the land around the station, the refuge staff became involved very quickly. Although this issue was totally blown out of proportion, a considerable amount of time was consumed in dealing with this issue.

In October, BT Penn attended the Avian Partnership Meeting which was held at Rappahannock River Valley NWR. BT Penn presented a report on the piping plover season on the refuge. Plans were discussed for the future management of this species.

Town of Chincoteague’s Emergency Planning Meetings:

In June, RM Schroer attended the kick-off meeting of the Town’s Emergency Planning Committee. This meeting is in preparation of the hurricane season. Evacuation routes and shelters were discussed.

14 E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

Personnel activities for 2002 went much the same as previous years. As always, employees, interns and volunteers came to the refuge and gained valuable experience, knowledge and lasting friendships. All too soon, they were moving on to new locations, positions and challenges. This year began and ended the same way.

An appointment packet was submitted to the Regional Office on January 11, 2002 to transfer Alice “Charlene” Swartz from the NPS/Assateague Island National Seashore to WG-5705-6 Tractor Operator for Chincoteague NWR. Ms. Swartz filled a vacant wage grade position created by the death of Maintenance Worker Williams in June of 2001. Ms. Swartz’s report date for this transfer was March 10, 2002.

RO Willett took a lateral transfer to J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL effective January 12, 2002.

BT Pednault-Willett was promoted to a Wildlife Biological GS-486-7/9/11 at J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR also. She actually went on their payroll on January 12, 2002 but didn’t actually transfer until the next pay period.

A recruitment package was submitted to the Regional Office on January 16, 2002 to advertise for a GS-5/7/9 Park Ranger (LE) to fill the vacancy created by the transfer of James Willett to Florida.

Seasonal Park Ranger (LE) Reagan was selected to fill the vacancy created by RO James Willett January of 2002. Ms. Reagan was converted to a permanent Park Ranger (LE) Refuge Law Enforcement Officer career-conditional appointment effective August 11, 2002

PR McNally received a promotion from GS-4 to GS-5 effective February 10, 2002. This promotion had originally been submitted as an accretion of duties, but since the refuge already had someone on staff the same grade and series as PR McNally, the position had to be advertised.

A recruitment package was submitted to the Regional Office on February 13, 2002 to advertise for a GS-0186-05 YCC Group Leader for the 2002 summer YCC camp.

Mr. Thomas M. Quinn was selected to fill the YCC Group Leader vacancy and became effective June 16, 2002. Mr. Quinn was terminated on August 23, 2002 due to the end of the camp.

15 On March 7, 2002, paperwork was submitted to the Regional Office to classify a revised position description for OAA Mills. The revised position description more accurately described her current duties and was based on a Computer Assistant position description.

OAA Mills was promoted to a Computer Assistant, GS-0335-06/07 effective November 3, 2002. Approximately the same time Mrs. Mills was promoted to Computer Assistant, she was notified that all Office Automation Clerk positions (which she was) were in the preliminary stages of being out-sourced. Mrs. Mills’ promotion certainly came through at the right time.

Laborer Jones received a promotion through an accretion of duties from WG-3502-02 to WG-3502-03 effective March 24, 2002.

Four of the seasonal Park Rangers (fee collectors) returned for the 2002 summer season. Tama Ward, extended October 8, 2001; Cynthia Goddard returned on April 7. Rebecca Quinn and Juanita Baier began April 22, 2002. PR Baier was terminated on September 7, 2002. PR Quinn was terminated on September 21, 2002.

Francis Polyak, George Hunkovic and Celeste Reagan were selected to fill the Park Ranger (LE) seasonal vacancies which became effective on April 14, 2002.

Amanda Avery was transferred to a Wildlife Biologist position at Chincoteague NWR effective April 21, 2002. Ms. Avery came to Chincoteague NWR from Parker River NWR, MA where she was a Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) Student.

SRO Refuge Law Enforcement Officer McGee was promoted from GS-0025-09 to GS-0025- 11 effective April 21, 2002.

SCEP student Furniss-Vohs returned to duty effective May 12, 2002. SCEP Student Kulynycz returned to duty effective May 19, 2002.

An additional GS-0025-03 Park Ranger (fee collector) was hired during the busy summer season. Cara Rolander filled this vacancy and began her appointment on June 2, 2002. She was terminated on September 2, 2002.

SCEP Student Kelly Chase was converted to a permanent Outdoor Recreation Planner GS- 0023-05 effective July 28, 2002. Ms. Chase came to Chincoteague NWR from Back Bay NWR, Virginia Beach, VA.

Recreation Assistant McGuire was accepted into the Student Career Experience Program as a graduate student seeking her Masters in Education effective September 22, 2002. Ms. McGuire will be attending classes at the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore and student

16 teaching in the Snow Hill, Maryland area. Ms. McGuire is expected to graduate in August of 2003.

SROS Stotts received a promotion from GS-0485-11 to his full performance level of GS- 0485-12 effective September 22, 2002.

ROS Mireles received a promotion from GS-0485-07 to her full performance level of GS- 0485-09 effective December 1, 2002.

On December 4, 2002 paperwork was submitted to the Regional Office to recruit for two Park Ranger (LE) positions. One position would be filled as a seasonal Park Ranger and the other as a permanent seasonal Park Ranger. With the time involved in conducting background investigations, it was necessary to recruit early. As of the end of the year, the positions had not been advertised.

The rumor has it that two of our long time employees soon would be retiring. As the year ended, WB Ailes’ last physical day of working was December 20, 2002. His official retirement date was January 3, 2003. There will be more to report on this in next year’s narrative.

Awards:

SORP Tracy received an honorary EAGLE award from the Regional Office in July 2002 for being a team member in the planning, design and construction of the HHBEAC project on the Chincoteague NWR. Contracting Officer Lee Bradley received a similar award for his efforts in the HHBEAC project.

Chincoteague NWR was recognized at the annual Project Leader’s meeting as “Best Overall Work Unit in Region 5". This award was based on the Invest in People Initiative in which all refuges in Region 5 participated. In appreciation of this award, DRM Roster nominated refuge employees for individual four- hour “Time Off” awards.

The following staff members were recognized with one or more “On-the-Spot”, “Star” or “Time-Off” awards during the year:

ORP VanScoyoc DRM Roster SORP Tracy ROS Stotts Secretary Fair ROS Mireles RO Willett AO Merritt SRO McGee OAA Mills RO Reagan PR McNally RO Polyak WB Ailes RO Hunkovic RA McGuire

17 BT Penn PR Bowden BT Pednault-Willett PR Savage WB Avery PR Goddard SCEP Kulynycz PR Quinn SCEP Furniss-Vohs PR Ward MW Collins PR Baier TO Swartz PR Rolander EEO Wilgus MVO Marshall Laborer Jones RM Schroer

Three Regional Office employees were also recognized with “Star” awards for their assistance/involvement in planning and designing the HHBEAC. These employees were:

Lee L. Bradley Teri Neyhart Sara Bevilacqua

Two 30 Years of Service Awards were handed out during the year the first on May 15 to WB Ailes and the second on August 2, to HEO Wilgus

18 Training:

The staff participated in a considerable amount of training during the reporting period. The most significant training received follows:

Administrative:

SROS Stotts attended Mid-Career Retirement Training at Patuxent Research Refuge, Patuxent, MD on March 5-6, 2002.

AO Merritt and Secretary Fair attended the Region 5 Administrative Workshop held at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from March 25-29, 2002.

WB Avery, Secretary Fair, TO Swartz and ROS Mireles attended the New Employee Orientation, Hadley, MA from May 6-10, 2002.

On July 2, SROS Stotts and ROS Mireles attended and completed American Red Cross certification. The course provided participants with the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to call for help, to help keep someone alive, to reduce pain, and to minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until the emergency medical system is activated.

SCEP’s Furniss Vohs and Kulynycz attended Region 5's SCEP orientation from July 22-25, 2002.

AO Merritt and RM Schroer attended Retirement Training at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA on July 25 & 26, 2002.

Computers:

WB Ailes attended a GIS Workshop at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from January 22-25, 2002.

OAA Mills attended the Region 5 Information Technology Team Support Workshop at the Connecticut River Coordinator’s Office, Sunderland, MA from February 26-28, 2002.

OAA Mills attended a IT Workshop in Lewes, DE from July 22 - 26, 2002.

SCEP Kulynycz attended GIS Training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from August 13-16, 2002.

19 Biological:

WB Avery attended “New Technologies for Fish and Wildlife,” at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from August 20-23, 2002.

BT Penn attend Warm Season Grass Workshop in Warsaw, VA from September 3-4, 2002.

ROS Mireles and WB Avery attended the Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Workshop in Philadelphia, PA from November 12-13, 2002

Safety:

RO Reagan attended MOCC Training in Annapolis, MD from September 9-13, 2002.

Law Enforcement:

BT Penn attended Region 4 Law Enforcement Refresher Training in Tallahassee, FL from March 4-8, 2002.

SRO McGee attended LE Refresher Training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from April 11- 19, 2002.

RO Hunkovic, Polyak and Reagan attended LE Refresher Training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from April 14-19, 2002.

June 10-12, the refuge's law enforcement division presented the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Basic Course in RADAR Speed Measurement.

On June 15, RO Hunkovic attended American Red Cross CPR re-certification training at the Eastern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross in Exmore, Virginia.

SRO McGee attended LE Training at Brunswick, GA from August 19 - 28, 2002.

December 9-11, SRO McGee attended PPCT Management System's Defensive Tactics Instructor Recertification Seminar. The seminar was hosted by NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV

Public Use:

Recreation Assistant McGuire attended Training Tools for Non-Formal Educators at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from 1/29 - 2/1/02.

20 Recreation Assistant McGuire attended Environmental Education Methods training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from February 11-14, 2002. ORP Chase attended a Fishing Workshop in Virginia Beach, VA from August 13-16, 2002.

ORP Chase attended Intro to Visitor Services at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from 8/18 - 23, 2002.

SORP Tracy and ORPs Chase and VanScoyoc attended the Annual NAI Conference held in Virginia Beach, VA from November 12-16, 2002.

Management:

BT Penn attended Refuge Management Training Academy at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from April 15 - May 3, 2002.

PR Bowden and AO Merritt attended Gallup Training at Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, MD on April 24, 2002.

WB Avery attended a Mentoring Workshop at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from May 28-31, 2002.

From July 22-25, 2002, the station’s two SCEP students, Furniss-Vohs and Kulynycz attended the SCEP workshop held in Framingham, MA.

ROS Mireles attended Endangered Species Act Training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from August 18-23, 2002.

ROS Stotts attended RCRA Training in Hadley, MA from August 26 - 28, 2002.

DRM Roster attended Advanced Leadership Development Training at NCTC, Shepherdstown, WV from September 15-27, 2002.

WB Avery, ORP Chase and RM Schroer attended the Region 5 Mentoring Workshop held at NCTC, October 15-18, 2002.

DRM Roster attended Advanced Leadership Development Job Detail in Anchorage, Alaska from October 20 - November 17, 2002.

21 TABLE 2 : Roster of Personnel

Position Name Grade EOD* DOD**

Refuge Manager John D. Schroer GM-0485-14 12/18/88

Deputy Refuge Mgr. Thomas P. Roster GS-0485-13 08/13/00

Supervisory Refuge Daniel B. Stotts GS-0485-12 09/23/01 Operations Specialist

Refuge Operations Geralyn M. Mireles GS-0485-9 08/26/01 Specialist

Student Trainee Megan C. Furniss- GS-0499-4 05/21/00 (Biological Science) Vohs

Student Trainee Erin M. Kulynycz GS-0499-5 06/03/01 (Biological Science)

Wildlife Biologist Irvin W. Ailes GS-0486-11 09/09/79

Biological Thomas R. Penn GS-0404-7 10/12/97 Technician

Biological Kendra Pednault- GS-0404-7 06/22/97 01/11/02 Technician Willett

Wildlife Biologist Amanda Avery GS-0486-5 04/21/02

YCC Group Leader Thomas M. Quinn GS-0186-5 06/16/02 08/23/02

Supervisory Outdoor Angela V. Tracy GS-0023-12 01/05/97 Recreation Planner

Outdoor Recreation Jill A. VanScoyoc GS-0023-9 02/01/98 Planner

Student Trainee Alison M. McGuire GS-0099-7 05/07/00 (ORP)

Outdoor Recreation Kelly Chase GS-0023-5 07/28/02 Planner

Administrative Susan W. Merritt GS-0341-9 11/10/73 Officer

Secretary Susan A. Fair GS-0318-4 10/22/00

Computer Assistant Kimberly E. Mills GS-0335-6 04/28/88

Engineering Equip. Grover E. Wilgus WG-5716-8 08/02/72 Operator

22 Position Name Grade EOD* DOD** Maintenance Worker Carlton W. Collins WG-4749-8 08/20/75

Motor Vehicle Jeffrey Marshall WG-5703-8 06/09/74 Operator

Laborer Jerris Jones WG-3502-3 04/13/97

Supv. Park Ranger Mark R. McGee GS-0025-11 12/15/91

Park Ranger James R. Willett GS-0025-9 06/22/97 01/11/02

Park Ranger (Temp) George Hunkovic GS-0025-5 04/14/02

Park Ranger (Temp) Frank Polyak GS-0025-5 04/14/02 09/07/02

Park Ranger Celeste Reagan GS-0025-5 08/11/02* **

Lead Park Ranger Sally Bowden GS-0025-7 05/21/89

Park Ranger Bertie McNally GS-0025-4 04/24/88

Park Ranger Eva M. Savage GS-0025-4 06/14/87

Park Ranger (Temp) Cara Rolander GS-0025-4 06/02/02 09/02/02

Park Ranger (Temp) Tama S. Ward GS-0025-3 04/08/01

Park Ranger (Temp) Juanita Baier GS-0025-3 04/22/02 09/07/02

Park Ranger (Temp) Rebecca J. Quinn GS-0025-3 04/22/02 09/21/02

Park Ranger (Temp) Cynthia S. Goddard GS-0025-3 04/07/02 *EOD = Entered on Duty **DOD = Date of Departure *** = Temporary Park Ranger from 4/14/02 tp 8/10/02. Converted to permanent full time on 8/11/02.

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 New Faces at the Refuge

30 31 2. Youth Programs

The refuge hosted a Youth Conservation Corps for the summer 2002. This is a national program that offers summer employment to youth ages 15 through 18. While working on refuge projects, enrollees learn about the conservation of natural resources on our public lands. The employment period was June 24 through August 16 with the enrollment of seven high school students; Chris Mills, Traise Rawlings and Cassandra Bower from Chincoteague; Maria Weinberg and Rebekah Rohl from New Church; Brendan Rogalski from Wallops Island, and Brittany Gordon from Wattsville. Under the direction of Group Leader Tom Quinn, the YCC worked on various projects throughout the summer.

One of the major accomplishments of the 2002 camp was the repair of the predator fence on the crossover dike at North Wash Flats. The work included vegetation removal and 1,485 feet of fence reconstruction. This project contributes to the management of piping plovers by offering protection and helping to keep out predators as well as the Chincoteague ponies piping plover nesting season.

Another major accomplishment was the repair and replacement of wood duck nest boxes and predator guards. The YCC crew surveyed the wood duck boxes and predator guards to determined which ones needed to be repaired or replaced and then proceeded to repair those that needed it. The nest boxes and predator guards offer greater defense from predators and

aid in the production of wood ducks. Additional accomplishments of the YCC included

32 painting the gas and diesel fuel tanks, spreading of mulch on the environmental education trail, removal of pine trees, trail maintenance, cemetery maintenance, cleaning of government vehicles and removal of autumn olive, an invasive species.

The students gained environmental education and information on management of refuges as they learned the importance of the projects they worked on. They were given an overview on the management of piping plovers and assisted the public use department in relating information to visitors during pony-penning week.

4. Volunteer Program

One essential component to the structure and efficient management of National Wildlife Refuges for both the wildlife and the public is the dedication of volunteers who contribute their time and energy to the refuge. Their eagerness to participate in projects ranged from visitor use and maintenance to biological activities.

Volunteer hours contributed to the refuge were made up of both unpaid volunteers and interns who received a weekly stipend of $100.00 and free housing. Volunteers provided the refuge with the following staff-power of 6,989.65 hours in the biology division, 560.60 hours in maintenance work, and 8,996.75 hours in the visitor services division, contributing a total of 16,547 hours for the year 2002.

Table 3: Volunteer Hours for 2002

Visitor Biology Maint. LE Total

33 Services

Total 2002 8,996.75 6,989.65 560.60 16,547

A Volunteer Appreciation Banquet was held on April 20, 2002 at the Masonic Lodge Hall in recognition for volunteer contributions in the year 2001. Highlighted during the event were the volunteers of the year in various categories including a new category “New Volunteer of the Year.” Dick Roberts, from Chincoteague, received Biology Volunteer of the Year award for his commitment to his bird banding study on migrating songbird use of habitats by season. Dick, has proven great dedication and passion for his work through demonstrating bird banding techniques and educating visitors on the diversity of birds found on the refuge. Michael Colopy, from Falls Church, received Visitor Services Volunteer of the Year award. Michael lobbied on Capitol Hill for funds to help bring the vision of the HHBEAC into reality. Nelson Babcock, from New York, was honored as the Maintenance Volunteer of the Year. Nelson traveled from New York to volunteer full time on the refuge from September 30 through November 3, 2001. His good spirit and ability to do good work brought enthusiasm to the people he worked with. Additionally, Nelson was a crew leader for the fall Service Elderhostel program where he and his crew constructed 90 Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel nesting boxes. The New Volunteer of the Year award went to Gerry and Lee Woltman, from Chincoteague, for their teamwork with various projects, such as the deer spotlight surveys, helping with the deer check station, and participating in the Wallops Island NWR clean up. Special awards recognized Jean Loeffert as Seamtress of Year for constructing the T.R. Bear costume, which appeared at the IMBC, NWR Week Celebration, Veteran’s Day and the Chili Chowder Cook Off held in the Town of Chincoteague. Bob Wilson, from Chincoteague, was acknowledge for exquisite photographs of the refuge and special events, such as the ground breaking ceremony for HHBEAC. The overall Volunteer of the Year award was given to Glen and Carole Aldinger, who have work as a tag team duo to initiate new projects. They initiated a monthly Wallops Island NWR clean up. They also took count data from visitor service’s beach use and surf- fishing studies and assisted in interpretation of the data to offer further benefits to the refuge. In order to get a more accurate figure on the visitation to the refuge, they decided to count the number of people per vehicle, entering the refuge and at certain trail locations.

Projects and Activities

On-going projects throughout the year in the biology division, included bird banding of passerine songbirds, shorebird surveys, and taking water and salinity measurements of the impoundments. A National Marine Debris survey/beach sweep was conducted the volunteers every 28 days. Not only was trash picked up, but the type and quantity of trash were also

34 recorded. This information was sent to the Ocean Conservancy, who conducted a five-year study to assess the amount of land versus ocean based trash. Chincoteague NWR was one of 40 monitoring sites along the Atlantic Coast.

In providing visitor services, volunteers staffed the visitor center throughout the year and were an intricate part of the success of celebrations held. Volunteers helped staff the activities at events such as the IMBC, NWR Week and National Fishing Week. Goodwill ambassadors were stationed along the Service Road to distribute brochures, answer questions, and help visitors have a quality experience during Waterfowl Week when the Service Road was open for visitors to drive.

Traffic counters were installed along the Woodland Trail, Lighthouse Trail, and the entrance bike trail to determine the number of trail and bicycle users. Volunteers counted the number of people to check counters accuracy, along with recording the type of activity, age class, and number of individuals per vehicle. Some volunteers organized a committee to prepare grants to fund refuge projects. The efforts of volunteers were awarded when the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funded a $5,000.00 project to landscape around the new HHBEAC.

Photographers donated their time and skill throughout the year in taking pictures of the diverse refuge habitats and wildlife. Some of these photos have been used in brochures distributed to the public and will be used in exhibits in the HHBEAC. For 2003, The Federal Duck Stamp contest for 2003 - 04 went to Virginia’s artist Ron Louque’s painting of a pair of snow geese flying against the backdrop of the Assateague lighthouse. The painting was inspired from one of the photographic slides taken by volunteer Bob Wilson, Deputy Refuge Manager (retired).

Winter activities that the volunteers assisted in included applying protective wrapping to the refuge’s museum collection of decoys in anticipation of temporary move, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel nest box checks and staffing the white-tailed deer/sika elk hunt check station.

The first National Friends Conference was held in Washington D.C. on February 23-24, where friend members were recognized for their contribution to the refuge system and given the opportunity to attend seminars, such as media and events training, community education, successful promotion of refuges, fund-raising, and local centennial initiatives. The meeting was attended by ROS Mireles and members of the Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers and Chincoteague National History Association. The Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers had a meeting on March 25 to discuss whether to start the wildlife trolley tours for the summer of 2002 or wait until the summer of 2003. In addition, potential refuge projects for volunteers, based on a questionnaire, were explored.

During the spring season, volunteers repaired the pony fence located in North Wash Flats, a nesting area for the threatened piping plover. Volunteers assisted in the spring trapping of

35 Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrels and staffed a refuge booth at the Salisbury Zoo’s Earth Day celebration. ROS Mireles and several refuge volunteers took a field trip to the Virginia Marine Science Museum, where the volunteers had an opportunity for a behind the scenes tour of the stranding center and learned about the rehabilitation of stranded animals.

Refuge Volunteers took on a major undertaking with enthusiasm and great dedication in 2002 when they agreed to be interpreters for the wildlife trolley tours. Opening memorial weekend and running until Labor day, the wildlife tours were conducted three times a day, seven days a week. Several Refuge Volunteers and two individuals of CNHA served as interpreters giving the public an appreciation of refuge management and wildlife and habitat diversity.

An orientation session for new volunteers and those who wished to be updated on procedures in the visitor center was given during a week-long visitor services training from June 10-15. The orientation week ended with a trip to Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland in order for the volunteers to see how the NPS conducts their public use activities including visitor center operation.

The Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers held a meeting on July 17, during which recommendations to improve current operation of the wildlife tours and to make recommendations for the 2003. Also during July, volunteers helped construct six scarecrows to be placed on Assawoman Island in hopes to scare predators away from piping plover nesting areas.

In August, Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers completed their 66th consecutive month of collecting trash for the Marine Debris Study. The volunteers were presented a plaque by the Ocean Conservancy for never missing a monthly beach sweep in the entire five year study. As quoted by National Project Coordinator, Lisa Monk, “To have conducted over five-years of surveys without missing a date, speaks highly of the friendship, camaraderie, and high degree of teamwork of all of the Chincoteague Refuge Volunteers. You are all environmental heroes who have taken direct action in fighting marine debris pollution.”

36 Although August is the hottest month of the summer, it wasn’t too early for the volunteers to start meeting to design and build a Christmas float to participate in the Town of Chincoteague’s Annual Christmas Parade. The volunteers constructed and sewed their way into attaining a second place trophy for the refuge at the December 7 event.

As the summer tourist season slowed down the annual beach cleanup on September 14, brought a crowd of 185 participants of all ages to the remove trash from 17 miles of refuge beach. People donated their time and efforts to rid the beach of 6.99 tons of trash and debris which unveiled the true beauty of Assateague Island. Itemized list of debris was collected and forwarded to the Ocean Conservancy, who is coordinating this international pollution study.

In conjunction with the town of Chincoteague’s “Weekend of the Island”, refuge volunteers Charlotte and Ted Thomas organized a star grazing evening on September 21 and had over 70 people attended. . Service Elderhostel:

The Service Elderhostel is a program where senior citizens come from across the U.S. to do volunteer work on the refuge for an entire week. The volunteers performed various activities, ranging from construction work to habitat restoration projects. There were a spring and a fall Service Elderhostel for the year 2002. The events were coordinated and supervised by members of the refuge staff and volunteers. This program is a good example of what can be accomplished through good teamwork!

37 The spring Elderhostel program was held the week of April 8-12. The program consisted of 27 Service Elderhostel volunteers, who contributed 725 hours to the refuge. A major undertaking for this session included reconfiguring the March Trailobservation platform, by raising the lower section even with the upper section to provide a better wildlife viewing opportunities Other projects included timber stand improvement, to promote a healthy pine forest restoration; pony fence repair and maintenance; spreading of mulch on the environment education trail; and spreading of stone sand on the woodland trail.

The fall Service Elderhostel program was held the week of October 28 - November 1. The program consisted of 33 Service Elderhostel volunteers, who contributed 864 hours to the refuge. The fall program was a huge success with the construction and placement of 25 tree swallow nesting boxes and removal of old ones; the addition of railings on the maintenance platform, the subheadquarters and intern’s trailer; timber stand improvement; removing bits of asphalt from the beach and dunes; and pony fencing repair. Despite some bad weather during the week, the volunteers continued to work in the rain and all projects were completed as scheduled. The Chincoteague Beacon wrote an exceptional article covering the Elderhostel program and its accomplishments.

Interns

Chincoteague Refuge offers a variety of positions which help college students or graduates in their employment endeavors. There are three types of internships offered by the refuge; wildlife biology, interpretation, and environmental education. Internships, which are offered during the fall, spring, and summer, cover a 12 week period. Interns are provided housing and a weekly stipend.

The year began with the Biology Interns Tamiko Stone and Rebecca Jefferson. The interns participated in Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel nest box checks, waterfowl surveys and staffed the white-tail deer/sika elk hunt check station. Intern Stone, who began her internship in October of 2001, worked until January 11. Intern Jefferson worked from January 2 to January 30.

LeAnne Bonner, previously a biology intern for the summer 2001, returned to work in environmental education, outreach, interpretation, and assisted to staff the visitor center from March 18 to May 24.

38 Biology summer interns began to arrive in May, all total 6 where hired for 2002. The main focus for the biological interns was assisting in piping plover monitoring and protection program. Interns for 2002 included Mike Nichols (May 11 to August 2), Amy Croft (May 13 to July 30) , Kate Bollie (May 12 to August 2), Lauren Billodeaux (May 20 to October 11), Emily Weiser (May 21 to August 16) and Dana Eley (May 26 to September 27). Two internships, Eley and Billodeaux, were extended beyond the 12 week program to assist in other refuge projects including invasive species mapping and data entry for information collected as part of the refuges commitment to SCEP Kulynycz’s project the “Effects of Prescribed Fire on Vegetation and Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel Habitat Use in Mid- Altantic Coastal Plain Maritime Forest” funded by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP). The refuge hired two interns Kelly Berger (May 19 to August 2) and Colin Sedden (May 21 to August 9) to assist with JFSC project. These interns tracked DFS with the use of radio- telemetry and collected data vegetation data in research plots.

Visitor Services received three interns for the summer Nick Anderson (May 12 to August 30), Stephanie Ritter (June 2 to August 16) and Michele Kaplan (June 12 to August 31). These interns assisted on interpretative projects; staffed the visitor contact station; lead interpretive walks such as the bird walk, the marsh walk, the lighthouse walk; guided activities establish for children; and gave interpretative talks on the wildlife trolley tours.

39 The arrival of fall interns included Visitor Service intern, James Bartis (August 26 to December 13) who staffed at the visitor contact station and did interpretative programs. Biology Intern Rachel Dayton (August 25 to October 18), performed vegetation transect surveys and tracking and trapping of the DFS. Intern Dayton ended her internship on October 18, although she continued to work on the refuge as an Agriculture Worker when she was hired by SCEP Kulynycz and funded through the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

On September 26, WB Ailes and ROS Mireles attended the Salisbury State University Job fair to recruit interns for the biology and visitor services division and to distribute information about careers in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

On December 9, Visitor Service Intern Audra Seladi, started working at the refuge. She worked in the visitor center and assisted with museum property programs.

Other Manpower Programs

The National Park Service and the National Council for Preservation of Education funded museum property intern, Eric Schindelholz, who worked at the refuge from January 14 to March15. Intern Schindelholz was hired to develop integrated pest management and monitoring plans for the preservation and protection of the refuges’ museum collections at Chincoteague, Back Bay and Eastern Shore Refuges.

5. Funding

Funding changes and challenges occurred again this fiscal year, as some funds were increased as others decreased.

A funding comparison by subactivity for the past five fiscal years is as follows:

Table 4: Funding Comparison 1998 - 2002

40 SUBACTIVITY 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

1113 Endangered Species -0- -0- -0- -0- 14,500 Recovery

1220 Plover Protection / -0- -0- 2,000 -0- -0- LE

1261 Operations 1,037,775 1,154,500 1,142,307 1,122,195 1,180,740

1262 Maintenance 115,000 237,000 244,841 143,000 691,880

1221 “Drug Money” 9,800 -0- -0- -0- -0-

1664 Servicewide Admin -0- -0- -0- 180 -0- Support

6860 Refuge Op/Maint. 4,500 4,132 4,132 4,500 4,500

8550 Forest Pest Control -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-

9251 Firefighting - 500 300 400 1,500 -0- Preparedness

9263 SPB Fuel Reduction 1,200 5000 -0- -0- 1,784*

TOTAL 1,228,775 1,401,932 1,393,680 1,271,375 1,893,404

* Not Spent - Rolled Over

Specific Maintenance Management System (MMS) projects were funded this year. Funded projects included $67,200 Annual Maintenance, $500,000 to replace sub-headquarters storage buildings, $19,000 for office demolition, $25,000 to replace the 1983 Chevrolet pickup truck, and $95,000 to replace 1981 Backhoe/Loader. The 2002 YCC Camp was also funded from 1262 funds this year with $20,000 being allotted for the camp.

Funding in the amount of $8,000 was transferred from the Regional LE Office to the refuge’s 1261 budget for the purchase and installation of a video cruiser camera.

Funding in the amount of $3,640 was added to the refuge’s 1261 budget to conduct Invasive Species, Breeding Birds and Frogs surveys. Funding for these standardized protocols was supplied by the Regional Biological Program.

The refuge received $1,000 in the 1261 budget to fund FY 2002 Refuges Fishing Event materials and another $5,000 in the 1261 budget in Centennial Challenge Cost Share Funding.

The Regional Office transferred $50,000 of refuge construction funds (2821-E5QC) to the refuge budget for the purpose of procuring items related to relocating into a temporary office

41 trailer while the HHBEAC is being built. Since this amount was not entirely spent in FY2002, the balance was carried over into FY2003.

An additional $3.5 million was provided in Department of the Interior funds and $1.5 million was budgeted to Chincoteague Refuge from the Department of Transportation appropriation for the construction of the HHBEAC.

6. Safety

During the year law enforcement personnel assisted visitors with various emergency needs, which included 31 medical services, 4 motor vehicle accidents, and 4 bicycle accidents. Further information can be found under the law enforcement section.

On February 20, ROS Mireles had a minor vehicle accident with one of the refuge’s extended cab trucks. ROS Mireles misjudged the passage entrance from one parking lot to another at the County of Accomack Courthouse parking lot. On the way through the entrance the vehicle rubbed along a bollard creating a scrape from just behind the passenger seat to the middle of the truck’s bed. No one was injured in the accident.

On April 14, RO Reagan was in a vehicle accident on her way to the National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. RO Reagan was driving her personal vehicle on West Virginia Route 230 when she lost control of the vehicle going around a curve and crashed into a tree. Wet road conditions contributed to this single vehicle accident. RO Reagan was wearing her seatbelt which contributed to her receiving only minor injuries of a sprained right wrist and twisted left ankle. RO Reagan was able to complete In-Service training except for firearms requalification. RO Reagan received follow up care locally and was returned to full duty on April 29.

On July 6 a refuge vehicle, a 1983 Chevrolet 4x4 pickup truck, caught fire while in operation on the beach in the Overwash area. PR Savage was conducting piping plover monitoring activities when she was stopped by visitors who wanted to ask her some questions. When PR Savage stopped the vehicle she smelled what seemed to be the vehicle overheating. However, upon further inspection, smoke was present and the smell was more of rubber burning. The vehicle’s wiring had caught fire underneath the hood. PR Savage radioed for assistance and grabbed the vehicle’s fire extinguisher. The visitors assisted PR Savage by opening the hood, allowing her to put the fire out with the fire extinguisher. Once the fire was out, one of the visitors then disconnected the battery cables because the vehicle was trying to restart. The quick thinking of PR Savage and the assistance of refuge visitors averted what could have been major incident. No injuries where incurred by anyone.

On August 29, Regional Manager of Safety and Health, John Guiel conducted a safety inspection of the refuge’s facilities mainly dealing with residences and maintenance buildings. The inspection pointed out areas that the refuge could improve upon to ensure that employees were safe while conducting work activities. Most infractions were minor and were

42 corrected immediately. There were several that dealt with electrical wiring that were contracted out to a local electrician.

On October 30, ROS Mireles traveled to Chincoteague in the government 4x4 Dodge pickup truck to pickup government supplies from the local hardware store. After picking up the supplies, ROS Mireles stopped at a restaurant to pickup a take-out lunch. While backing out of the parking space ROS Mireles heard a vehicle horn as she felt the impact of two vehicles. ROS Mireles immediately stopped the government vehicle and got out to assess the situation. The rear bumber of the government vehicle had collided with the right front of a Chevrolet Malibu car. The government vehicle did not sustain any detectable damage. The Chevrolet Malibu sustained a dent near the right front headlight and the headlight housing was pushed in.

On December 11, Volunteer Jean Ketner-Loeffert was injured in the thigh when one of the a storage building’s overhead door slammed down on her as she attempted to close it. Two refuge volunteers had forced open an overhead door on the storage building and placed a piece of wood under it to ensure that it stayed open. The volunteers than left the storage building area and did not put the door back down, secure or warn anyone that they had propped it open. Volunteer Ketner-Loeffert was trying to put the door down when another volunteer removed the piece of wood not knowing that it was supporting the door. The door came down faster and with more force than expected by Volunteer Ketner-Loeffert and prevented her from moving out of the way before she was struck hard in the upper thigh suffering a contusion. Volunteer Ketner-Loeffert received medical treatment for her injury and was on restricted activity for several days. By the end of the month, she still had a major bruise and was still limping to get around.

Regularly scheduled monthly safety meetings were conducted during the year. Leaders for the monthly meetings were rotated amongst all staff to incorporate different safety items and issues. Each staff member was required to pick topics and provide the information to the other staff members. Listed below are the topics presented during 2002 and the respective leader.

Table 5: Safety Topics and Responsible Person by Month.

Month Topic Staff January Back Safety - Proper Lifting Techniques Mireles February Winter Driving Stotts March Stress Management Ailes April Refuge Communication Options in Emergency Situations McGee and During Routine Operations

43 Month Topic Staff May Safety Procedures Through a “Jeopardy”Game Mills June Proper Use of Fire Extinguishers Jones July Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Kulynycz August Personal Flotation Devices Penn September Safe Operation of Riding Lawnmowers Marshall October Motor Vehicle Safety Savage November Biological Threat: Protecting Your Mail Room McGuire December Typical and Common Safety Issues That Employees Need To Fair Be Aware Of.

Additionally, DRM Roster discussed topics of importance that were disseminated by the Regional Manager of Safety and Health. These topics included: lyme disease, motor vehicle accidents, flammable and combustible liquid storage, lockout/tagout procedures, and carbon monoxide poisoning. The safety meetings were kicked up a notch this year due to innovative ideas and presentations by the staff. Two staff members gave PowerPoint presentations one being CA Mills who presented a “jeopardy” game where staff where divided into teams and answered questions about different categories of safety issues.

44 Secretary Fair gave a presentation of common and often overlooked safety issues during normal, everyday activities. Secretary Fair’s presented the safety information in a amusing way that got the safety message across, but was enjoyable by all staff members.

7. Technical Assistance

Under a Use Permit (UA) with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia, biologists from the refuge provided technical assistance relating to wildlife resource and habitat management and conservation on Wallops Island (See Wallops Island NWR Narrative for details). Refuge biologists also provided technical assistance to local landowners seeking advice on wildlife management and enhancement topics.

On February 1, SRO McGee attended the 2002 regional law enforcement refresher committee meeting at the National Conservation Training Center. As lead firearm instructor, SRO McGee submitted a training plan for the annual firearms qualification training and the confrontational simulation training. SRO McGee was also tasked with coordinating with the main speaker, Ken Murray, who will be speaking on the psychology of lethal force decisions

On May 5, SRO McGee coordinated remedial firearms training at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. Six officers were in attendance.

May 13-17, SRO McGee assisted in the administration of the Refuge Officer Basic School (ROBS), Class 2002A, at the National Conservation Training Center. SRO McGee presented an eight hour review of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as amended, and the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act. In addition, SRO McGee proctored practical exercises relating to the prohibited acts enumerated in the Code of Federal Regulations promulgated by the Acts.

August 20-21, SRO McGee attended the National Firearms Committee Meeting at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. Lead firearm instructors representing the Division of Refuges and the Division of Law Enforcement from each region met to discus inconsistencies in the administration of firearms training and qualification throughout the service. Several Recommendations to standardize firearms training and qualification were discussed and submitted for review.

August 26-27, SRO McGee represented the region as a member of the National Wildlife Refuge System Weapons Standardization Team. The team met at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia, to evaluate and recommend weapon systems for adaptation by the System. Each regional representative was given the opportunity to test fire and evaluate weapon systems of various caliber, action, and size to determine which weapon system would be best suited for law enforcement officers of the National

45 Wildlife Refuge System. Based on the aforementioned evaluations, the team recommended that the Glock 22/23, .40 caliber, double-action only, semiautomatic pistol; the Remmington 870, 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun; and the Colt AR15/M-16, .223 caliber, semiautomatic rifle be adopted as standardized weapons for law enforcement officers of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

On September 28, RO Reagan represented the refuge's law enforcement division at the Eastern Shore Hunting and Fishing Day held at Nandua High School. The event, sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association, provided an open forum for Fish and Wildlife Officials to interact with local hunters and sportsman, enhancing the image of the Service within the hunting community.

September 10-13, SRO McGee assisted in the administration of a Motorboat Operator Certification Course in Annapolis, Maryland. The course was attended by employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. The course fulfilled the requirements of the Departmental watercraft safety program providing participants with the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely operate Departmental watercraft.

On September 16, RO Chris Smith from Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge was detailed to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for Phase I of his Field Training and Evaluation Program. The Field Training and Evaluation Program is a pilot program developed to train and evaluate officers as they transition from the academic environment of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to the practical application of law enforcement in the field.

On October 10, SRO McGee administered firearms requalification training at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge.

October 17-19, RO Reagan was detailed to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to assist with the refuge’s big game hunt. Law enforcement efforts resulted in the issuance of violation notices to two hunters for parking outside designated areas and to one hunter for failing to check his deer as required by refuge specific regulations.

On October 25, SRO McGee administered firearms requalification training for the National Park Service at the Worcester County Range.

On November 24, RO Chris Smith from Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge returned to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for Phase III of his Field Training and Evaluation Program under the supervision of SRO McGee. Phase III of the Field Training and Evaluation Program is a testing phase in which the trainee is observed and evaluated with little or no intervention from the field training officer. RO Smith successfully completed the training phase and returned to his refuge certified for full duty.

46 December 8, SRO McGee attended a workshop for Beamhit’s Laser Marksmanship Training System at the National Conservation Training Center. Comprised of a laser and electronic target, the system is designed to facilitate instructing basic, remedial, and advanced shooting skills. The system will be implemented as part of the regional firearms training program.

8. Other

On May 1, DRM Roster forwarded to the Regional Office draft “white papers”on Regional compatibility determinations criteria for having consistency in dealing specific activities allowed on Region 5 National Wildlife Refuges. There were two papers submitted one on horseback riding and the other on sunbathing, swimming, surfing and kite flying. Other members of this team included Tom Walker, Supawna Meadows NWR, Graham Taylor, Rachel Carson NWR and Bill Kolondnicki, Stewart B. McKinney NWR

In September, WB Ailes and BT Penn delivered a presentation to a graduate class from the University of West Virginia led by Dr. James Anderson. BT Penn presented a multimedia program and instructed the class on wetland management on the refuge. WB Ailes and BT Penn then took the class on a tour of the moist soil management units to further explain managed wetland practices.

Fee Collection:

The Fee Collection Program entertained a busy year in 2002 as the summer heat and drought brought record number of visitors to the refuge. Beach parking lots were filled to capacity eight times during the month of July and six times in August, with beach goers waiting in line for parking spaces. Fee Collectors worked vigorously to get traffic through the booths during the months of July and August.

On April 1, ORV permits increased from $60.00 to $70.00. For the year, weekly pass revenues increased by $9,000.00 and annual pass revenues increased by $5,775.00.

The Recreational Fee Demonstration Program was extended for two years with collections through FY2004. In 2002, the refuge utilized fee demo money to fund eight public use interns and a full-time temporary recreation assistant; purchase two Sharp cash registers; replace worn out signs on the refuge; print trail maps, hunt, and general brochures; and, fund a telemetry study for Atlantic brant.

The fee booths were open daily April through October and only on weekends November through March. The fee collection staff included five temporary and two permanent park rangers.

Table 6: Fees Including Passes, Duck Stamps, Hunting and ORV Permits.

47 FEE PROGRAM TOTALS Refuge Revenue Share ($) Permits Cost ($) Number ($) Weekly pass 5.00 73,741 368,705.00 294,164.00 Buses<20 passengers 20.00 5 100.00 80.00 Buses>20 passengers 30.00 19 570.00 456.00 Duck Stamps 15.00 2,337 35,055.00 -0- Golden Eagles 65.00 177 11,505.00 9,204.00 Holograms 15.00 3 45.00 36.00 Golden Ages 10.00 944 9,440.00 7,552.00 Annual passes 15.00 4,975 74,625.00 59,700.00 ORV permits 60.00 41 2,460.00 1,968.00 ORV permits 70.00 354 24,780.00 19,824.00 Archery & Firearm 5.00 565 2,825.00 2,260.00 Application Fees Archery Permits 20.00 127 2,540.00 2,032.00 Firearm Permits 20.00 602 12,040.00 9,632.00 Waterfowl Hunt Guides BIDS 4 1,707.00 -0- Golden Access 381 Free -0- -0- Total Revenue 546,397.00 406,908.00 Operational Costs 140,666.00

Ecosystem Team:

The Delaware River/Delmarva Coastal Ecosystem Team met twice during the year. The first meeting in January was a regularly scheduled meeting. The July meeting was called as a joint meeting with the Chesapeake/Susquehanna Ecosystem Team, with discussion centering around common projects. In addition, flex funding proposal were reviewed. A Piping Plover

48 Project submitted by the refuge was approved for funding. The project provides support to all team refuges which have piping plovers.

HABITAT MANAGEMENT

1. General

The refuge continues to utilizing the Geographical Information System (GIS) vegetation mapping project funded by the Washington Office and provided by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). GIS technology is being utilized to develop fire prescriptions plans, water management programs, assist with public use development of educational trails, development of the new administration and public use complex, piping plover research on habitat enhancement for the endangered Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel and a study of the effects of prescribed burns on the dispersal of the fox squirrel.

2. Wetlands

The year 2002 water management program began on February 1 with the dewatering of North Wash Flats. Sow Pond water levels were dropped beginning February 15. Although F-pool was scheduled to be lowered during February, water was not released from this pool because levels were about a foot below prescription throughout the month. Water levels were dropped in March for A-Pool, B-South, B-North, C-Pool, Farm Fields, E-Pool, and Old Fields. Dewatering began in April for D-Pool, Ragged Point, Lighthouse Meadow, and a limited drawdown for South Wash Flats.

In addition, the gator pump was used in excess of 980 hours in March-May to lower water levels to expose the North Wash Flats for nesting piping plovers. Weekly rains kept water levels above prescriptions during much of the early spring.

49 The Regional waterfowl study was continued on the refuge in spring 2002. The waterfowl study was designed to evaluate the impacts of spring shorebird management on food resources and non-breeding waterbird use on Region 5 National Wildlife Refuges. Data on waterfowl use of B-Pool South and South Wash Flats impoundments were conducted from January thru April. Official results from the two year studies are not yet available.

Biology staff conducted vegetation transects during late August and September.

December ended the 2002 program year with ample water levels in all impoundments. Rainfall during September thru December exceeded the average annual rainfall by 5.25 inches of rain, providing the best fall/winter impoundment conditions in three years.

7. Grazing

The spring health checkup for the Chincoteague ponies was held in April. No significant health problems were detected in the herd. All horses were examined by a veterinarian and given semi-annual vaccinations as needed.

On July 24, the Chincoteague ponies made the three minute swim from Chincoteague Refuge across the Chincoteague Channel to Chincoteague Island. Maintenance staff assisted with the 77th annual pony round up and swim by escorting the ponies from the Wild Beach to the corral and mowing the corral and grass area adjacent to the corral.

Two Service Elderhostel programs were held during the weeks of April 8-12, and October 28 thru November 1. The event was coordinated and supervised by ROS Mireles and project crew leaders Paul Smith, Fred Pulis, David Savage, Don McCloughan, and Nelson Babcock. Projects included repairing pony fencing and removing old pony fencing.

The fall health checkup for the Chincoteague ponies was held in October. No significant health problems were detected in the herd. All horses were examined by a veterinarian and given semi-annual vaccinations as needed.

Several informal meetings were held throughout the year with RM Schroer and individuals from the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company to discuss pony related issues.

9. Fire Management

On February 24, 2002, RO McGee responded to a report of a wildfire burning adjacent to the visitor contact station. Upon arriving on scene, RO McGee located a small pile of burning pine needles adjacent to the traffic island in the visitor contact station parking lot. During a subsequent investigation, two cigarette butts were found inside of the burned area, identifying the specific fire origin. The fire was quickly put out and the investigation was closed pending further developments.

50 10. Pest Control

From August to mid-October 2002, Intern Billodeaux worked on the Region 5 USFWS Invasive Plant Species Surveys and Mapping on Assateague Island. Weeping lovegrass (Eragrotis curvala), Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellate), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Common Reed (Phragmites australlis), Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and Common mullien (Verbascum thapsus) were identified and marked using Garmin etrex GPS units. The Wildlife Loop, Swan Cove Trail, Black Duck Trail, Beach Road, Woodland Trail, Service Road, and all dikes were surveyed and marked for these six plant species. Intern Billodeaux downloaded all of the GPS information into GIS and created a map illustrating where the six invasive species were located on the refuge. The GIS map and information was sent to Regional Biologist Taylor at Great Bay NWR in order to be incorporated into a region-wide invasive species map.

Control was conducted on selected trees along the refuge entrance road to reduce the presence of the invasive autumn olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Refuge staff treated stumps of autumn olive with the woody plant herbicide Garlon 3A. This exotic species has become a problem as birds consume the fruit and then deposit seeds throughout the refuge from their droppings. G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

Refuge management programs were specifically administered to enhance, broaden, and maintain wildlife diversity. Management practices and associated activities such as the water and moist soil programs, plant and animal pest control, and upland habitat management, all augmented habitat diversity which supported greater variety of wildlife species.

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Piping Plover

On February 27-28, a meeting was held at Chincoteague Refuge to discuss piping plover issues in the southern recovery units. Approximately 30 biologists from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina attended the meeting. The biologists represented both government and private agencies involved in piping plover management. The primary focus of the meeting was the increased productivity at Chincoteague Refuge and the lower productivity for the rest of the Southern Recovery Units. WB Ailes, BT Penn, ROS Stotts, and ROS Mireles represented Chincoteague Refuge at the meeting.

51 Plover surveys on Assateague Island began on March 24. The first plovers were sighted on the Hook, Overwash, and Wild Beach on March 22. On May 3, the first plover on the Wash Flats was observed. Surveys continued throughout the summer with the last nest of the season found on the Hook on June 28.

Plovers nested in all four major nesting areas, with the most nests (20) being located on the Hook. The Wild Beach had three nests, two more than 2001. The North Wash Flats had one nest, three less than last year. The Overwash had 12 nests, two more than in 2001. The first nest initiation date was estimated to be approximately May 6 on the Overwash.

During the 2002 breeding season, methods of intense monitoring continued in the Overwash nesting area due to the close proximity of the nesting area to the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV)

52 Zone. In order to insure the safety of the chicks, the area adjacent to active broods was closed this year to ORVs from May 15 to July 27. Brood locations were recorded twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. When unfledged broods were present in the Overwash area, a monitor was present from 0600 hrs. to 2100 hrs. Detailed record keeping noted the exact brood location on a map, with the date and time, along with any significant or unusual behavior that was observed. Selective shooting of problem avian predators occurred in the early morning, but also later in the day if needed. In an effort to discourage predators, monitors also harassed avian species using sling-shots, sticks, and their presence.

A total of 129 eggs were produced in 37 nesting attempts on the refuge portion of Assateague Island this year. The eggs losses (43) were due to unknown(6), infertility (4), abandonment (11), predation (4), and weather (18). The tide washed over three nests (12 eggs) during a storm on the Hook and Overwash. The same storm caused one pair to abandon a nest (4 eggs) on the Overwash. One nest (4 eggs) was predated by a crow on the North Wash Flats. Two nests on the Hook and one on the Overwash, each laid four eggs but lost two eggs after being exclosed. It is unknown what caused these egg losses. No predator tracks were observed in the exclosure and there were no holes in the netting so it is possible one of the adults removed the eggs.

Table 7: Causes of Piping Plover Egg Loss on Assateague Island, 2002

Number of Eggs (nests) Lost To:

AREA Predation Weather Infertil Abandon Unknown Total e

Hook 0(0) 8(2) 0(0) 11(3) 4(0) 23(5) Beach

Overwash 0(0) 10(2) 4(0) 0(0) 2(0) 16(2)

Wild 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) Beach

Wash 4(1) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 4(1) Flats

Total 4(1) 18(4) 4(0) 11(3) 6(0) 43(8)

Management techniques employed to enhance the success of nesting plovers included the continued placement of predator-proof exclosures and extensive predator trapping within and adjacent to known plover nesting areas. Of the 37 nests found prior to hatching, 31 received predator exclosures.

53 The piping plover nesting season concluded in late July. A total of 50 chicks fledged from the Assateague Island portion of the refuge, 24 less than in 2001. The 32 nesting pair produced an average of 1.56 chicks/pair. Thirty-one chicks fledged from the Hook, 18 fledged from the Overwash area, one fledged from the Wild Beach, and none from North Wash Flats.

Table 8: Piping Plover Hatching and Fledgling Success for 2002

AREA NESTS NESTING TOTAL1 HATCHED/ CHICKS FLEDGED/ PAIRS EGGS NEST FLEDGED NESTING PAIR

HOOK 20 17 73 2.78 31 1.82

OVER- 13 12 44 2.40 78 1.50 WASH

WILD 3 2 10 3.40 1 0.50 BEACH

NORTH 11 40.000 0.00 WASH FLATS

TOTAL 37 32 129 2.69 50 . 1.56

1. Includes chicks from broods found after hatching Bald Eagles

In March of this year, the bald eagle nest near Black Duck Marsh was checked for incubating adults and evidence of eggs. The nest site was checked again in May and it was determined to be active; unfortunately, no young fledged. The annual flights by VDGIF to find eagle nests, failed to located the nest at Wildcat Marsh. The nest, which had been relocated just south of the old nest, was pointed out to refuge personnel by local resident Luther Carter. This nest produced two young.

Delmarva fox squirrels

54 Nest Box Checks

Staff and volunteers conducted the refuge annual DFS nest box check on January 9, February 4 & 5. A total of 19 squirrels were captured on the refuge’s check(one less than last year). A total of 13 male and six female squirrels were handled during the checks. Of the 19 squirrels, eight were new captures and 11 were recaptures.

Ear tags were not used in this years box check; however, recaptured squirrels were checked for presence of old ear tags. Staff used Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags on all captured squirrels. Capture results are reported below for the refuge box check.

Table 9: Results of Winter 2002 Annual Box Check

RESULTS WT WH WL SP LR OF CD TA TOTAL # Boxes 33 30 9 18 19 8 10 13 140 # Squirrels 7 4203 120 19 # Escape 1 0022 000 5 WT = Woodland Trail, WH = White Hills, WL = Wildlife Loop, SP = Sow Pond, LR = Lighthouse Ridge, OF = Office Complex, CD = C-Dike, TA = Turnaround and Old Fields

Trapping

55 The annual Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel trapping and tagging program began on April 15 for White Hills as part of SCEP student Erin Kulynycz’s fox squirrel study. The remainder of the trapping was conducted from September 9 thru November 19. Results of this years trapping program are listed in the table below. Trapping was limited to three days for each area in 2002 compared to five days last year.

Table 10: Summary of the 2002 Delmarva fox squirrel trapping program on CNWR

# of # Different # Different Tot. # of Tot. # of # of Male # of Females Unknown Trap Effort Traps Males Females Males Females PIT-tagged PIT- tagged Sex (# checks) Captured Captured Captured Captured White Hills 49 16 11 19 14 4 6 0 686 (4/15 - 26) Woodland 34 16 8 18 9 7 4 2 204 Trail Lighthouse 42 7 3 8 3 0 2 0 252 Ridge Sow Pond 16 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 96 B-North, C- 14 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 84 Dike, Service Rd Old Fields 8000 000048 Totals 163 40 25 47 29 11 12 2 1,370

Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon hacking tower, which was erected in the early 1980s, continues to be quite successful over the years, as the refuge has recorded a peregrine nest on that tower every year since 1982; unfortunately, none have fledged the last two years. In 2002, a peregrine falcon pair again returned to the hacking tower. In April, two adults and four eggs were recorded at the nest. In the first week of June, when the nest was checked again, there were two adult birds and four chicks; however, by the end of June there was only one adult was observed and three chicks present in the nest. Two of the chicks were near starvation and one larger female appeared to be well fed. The larger female chick was transported to Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The remaining two chicks were confined inside the nesting box and given supplemental feeding until the first week of July when the box was opened to allow the chicks out. No adult was present to feed or protect the chicks when the box was opened. Both chicks were predated from the tower within a few days, with evidence pointing to a great horned owl being their downfall. The chick that was transported to Hawksbill Mountain survived to fledgling age but did not survive long enough to migrate.

As part of a continuing research program by the U.S. Army, Department of Defense’s Legacy Resource Management Program, field studies of the peregrine falcon continued to be conducted

56 on Assateague Island. The banding crew monitored the North Wash Flats, South Wash Flats, the Hook, and Wild Beach for migrating peregrines. Once a peregrine was observed, a snared pigeon was released near the falcon. After being captured, the bird was examined, banded, color marked, and released. Between September 24 and October 17, the survey team expended 513.8 person-hours in the field, observing 350 peregrines and capturing 116 individuals. Previously- banded falcons comprised 6 of the total captured.

Wilson's Plover

One pair of Wilson’s plovers were observed on Assateague Island in 2002, in the Overwash area of the refuge. (See Southern Island Units section for Wilson plover nesting and fledgling information)

Least Terns

The least tern, a state species of concern, commonly nest on the refuge. This season, approximately 95 pairs of least terns nested on the refuge, a decrease from last year’s 175 pairs. Approximately 45 nests were found on the Hook and Overwash area adjacent to the off-road vehicle zone. An estimated 30-50 chicks successfully fledged in these areas.

Seabeach Amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus)

This federally listed threatened plant was first documented on the refuge in 1966 by Dr. Elizabeth Higgins as a graduate student. This annual vascular plant is endemic to Atlantic barrier island beaches from Massachusetts to South Carolina. The species typically inhabits upper beaches and overwash area of active beaches. Beyond the documentation noted above, no known specimens have been found on the refuge in recent years. However, beginning in 2000, the National Park Service begun a program to restore this endemic species to the north end of Assateague Island. From their plantings near the Maryland/Virginia border, up to nine plants were discovered in 2001 south of the state line to about a mile into the refuge. This was the first documentation of this species on the refuge since the last report in 1972. Surveys were conducted for presence of seabeach amaranth by NPS and FWS personnel during the third week of August 2002. An estimated 56 seabeach amaranth plants were found on the Wild Beach during August. All located plants were marked with flagging and the locations were recorded with a GPS unit.

In September, ROS Mireles completed a Section 7 consultation to address possible impacts on sea beach amaranth of the annual beach cleanup and peregrine falcon trapping activities on the Wild Beach. In preparation for the annual beach cleanup, the known sea beach amaranth plants were individually marked and PVC posts were placed on the beach by WB Avery and Intern Eley to protect the seabeach

3. Waterfowl

57 With the abundance of rain during the fall, refuge impoundments were at or near prescribed levels in readiness for the fall migration. Water levels were manipulated early in the fall by refuge staff to add some saltwater to flood three impoundments; South Wash Flats, North Wash Flats, and Old Fields. With the adequate rainfall, total waterfowl use of the refuge

increased 42% compared to last year. The highest peak for the year occurred in November with 54,823 birds observed compared to the peak of 9,625 birds in November 2001, an increase of 469%.

Waterfowl population data represents data available from peak counts of ground surveys with a correction factor added to the total peak per species. The correction factor is based on past aerial counts of waterfowl habitats on the Southern Island units of Assawoman, Wallops, Metompkin, and Cedar Islands and areas outside the regular ground survey on Assateague Island. Aerial surveys have not been conducted for several years due to budget constraints; therefore, the total peak monthly population for the refuge is represented only by ground surveys on Assateague Island.

Wintering waterfowl began migrating from the refuge in late January. The peak January population of 6,410 birds was the second highest number recorded for the year. By late March most species had left the refuge for the Northern breeding grounds.

Overall duck numbers peaked much lower again this year. Total duck numbers in 2002 declined 37% from 2001. The peak for the year was recorded in November with only 7,908 birds observed. All species but mallard showed a decline in numbers from last year. Fall 2002 was different from the previous three years as the refuge experienced plentiful rainfall throughout the entire fall migration. The vast majority of the impoundments were full during the fall, yet duck numbers were again well below the 2000 and 2001 totals. It is unclear why the duck population declined in a year when rainfall was plentiful.

Table 11: Summary of selected duck use of refuge water management units in 2002 and 2001

58 Species 2002 2001 % Change

Northern Pintail 5,973 10,719 - 44 % American Wigeon 527 973 - 46 % Northern Shoveler 1,093 2,341 - 53 % Green-Wing Teal 3,064 4,834 - 36 % Mallard 2,033 1,865 + 9 % American Black Duck 5,741 8,169 - 30 % Gadwall 1,198 2,159 - 44 %

Snow goose numbers during the year jumped 516% compared to last year with a peak of 45,715 birds recorded in November. Canada goose numbers decreased 7% in 2002.

Swan numbers increased this year as the peak fall population of tundra swans was 606 swans compared to 231 last year. This represents an increase of 162% over last year. A total of nine mute swans were observed on the surveys in 2002.

Waterfowl production on the refuge has always been limited. Chincoteague is not considered a significant waterfowl production refuge, and as such, no data was collected in 2002 on the few pairs of nesting waterfowl.

Of particular note was the mute swan population on the refuge. After several years of effective mute swan management, no mute swans attempted to nest on the refuge in 2002.

4. Marsh and Wading Birds

Nine species of marsh and wading birds were observed on the refuge in 2002, one less than the previous year. These species, in order of abundance, were snowy egret, glossy ibis, great egret, cattle egret, great blue heron, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, green-backed heron, black-crowned night-heron, and yellow-crowned night heron. The peak for marsh and wading birds occurred in the mid-summer with the peak month being July. The peak number in July was 1,334 birds, of which 559 were great egret.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

A total of 47 species of shorebirds, gulls, terns, and allied species were sighted on the refuge during 2002. Gulls were comprised of six different species that included herring, laughing, greater black-backed, ring-billed, and Boneparte's. The peak monthly population for gulls occurred in October with a total of 2,742. Terns were comprised of eight species that

59 included Forster's, common, royal, little, gull-billed, Caspian, black, and sandwich terns. The peak population occurred in August (834 birds), with Forster’s and royal terns being the most abundant. Along with the least terns that normally nest here, common terns also nested on the refuge in 2002. One pair of gull-billed terns attempted to nest on Assawoman Island but was unsuccessful. Other species of interest included brown pelicans, northern gannets, double crested cormorants, loons, and grebes.

Black skimmer numbers peaked in September with 382 birds observed. Approximately 10 pairs of common terns and 20 pairs of least terns nested in the Overwash area, a decrease from last year’s. Twenty pairs of skimmers successfully nested on the Overwash, producing 23 fledged chicks. The black skimmer chicks hatched in late August, coinciding with the opening of the Off Road Vehicle zone. To protect the skimmer chicks, the ORV zone was closed at sunset and did not reopen until refuge staff had determined no skimmer chicks were present in the ORV zone. Despite the best efforts of the staff to protect the chicks, a visitor drove into the ORV zone prior to the zone being open to the public and crushed two unfledged chicks (See Law Enforcement Section for Details). No common terns or black skimmers successfully nested on the Hook. Predators were the main cause of the nest failures on the Hook.

Shorebird peak monthly population for the year occurred in May. Shorebird numbers started increasing in March, with a peak population of 16,613 in May during the height of migration. This represented an increase of 56% from last May. The fall migration peaked in late July with 11,391 birds, a 59% increase from the 2001 fall peak. The most abundant species on the refuge during 2002 were sanderling, dunlin, semipalmated sandpiper, least sandpiper, semipalmated plover, short-billed dowitcher, and willet. Over the course of the year, 25 different species of shorebirds were recorded, one more than last year.

6. Raptors

Twelve raptor species were observed on the refuge throughout the year. The species included bald eagle, northern harrier, osprey, black vulture, turkey vulture, American kestrel, peregrine falcon, merlin, red-tailed hawk, great-horned owl, sharp-shinned hawk, and Cooper's hawk.

Due to biological staff commitments to the fall Delmarva fox squirrel trapping program and the removal of the raptor tower, the annual hawk watch was not conducted on the refuge in 2002.

7. Other Migratory Birds

Woodcock singing ground surveys were conducted on March 13. A total of 11 woodcocks were heard during the survey compared to 15 in 2001.

60 In cooperation with the Office of Migratory Bird Management and the Virginia State Coordinator, the annual mourning dove call survey was completed on May 5. WB Ailes conducted the 20-mile survey on the mainland in Accomack County. The number of doves counted along the survey route increased 7% from 41 last year to 44 this year.

The sixth annual breeding bird survey (BBS) was completed on May 27 and June 9 by Dr. Marilyn Ailes. Thirty survey points were completed in the loblolly pine forest and 30 in the myrtle shrub habitat. For the Shrub survey: there were 29 species documented (298 individuals) which was one less than in 2001. The total number of birds observed was -12.1 % less than last year. Highest species counted were: eastern towhee (36), common yellowthroat (34), field sparrow (33), gray catbird (25), song sparrow (24), and northern bobwhite (23). For the Forest survey: there were 38 species documented (356 individuals) which was two less than in 2001. The total number of birds observed was +4.4% more than last year. Highest species counted were: house wren (61), eastern towhee (32), eastern wood- pewee (29), pine warbler (29), and northern cardinal (22).

While seven years is not sufficient to determine long-term populations changes, it is possible to watch for trends. The overall trend is up for both habitats, both in number of individuals and in number of species. The five species which showed consistent trends throughout all six years are as follows: American robin, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee, eastern wood pewee, and house wren. The red-winged blackbird, yellow warbler, ovenbird, and great crested flycatcher all showed an over all decrease throughout the six years. For a breakdown by species and habitat see the report submitted by Dr. Marilyn Ailes titles ‘Summary of the 2002 Breeding Bird Survey for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island , Virginia.

The annual National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count was conducted on the refuge on December 28 by 20 local volunteers (the lowest in several years). A total of 146 species were seen on this bird count which covers the refuge, Town of Chincoteague, the causeway, Wallops Island, Horntown, a small section in Maryland, and Franklin City. A grand total of 36,655 birds were counted, 33,796 less than last year. Only two species counted were flagged as unusual species; solitary vireo, and dark-eyed (Oregon) junco.

8. Game Mammals

January 2002 gun hunt

Thirty-one male and 68 female sika were harvested during the gun hunt in January. Forty- one percent of the sika were 1.5 years old or younger, whereas 59% were greater than 2.5 years old.

Table 12: Summary of sika elk harvested during the gun hunt in January 2002

61 SEX AGE DATE 2001 MALE FEMALE .5 1.5 2.5 3.5 >4.5 01/3-4 52 1 4 1

01/7-868 31 4 8 9 6 4 01/10-11 7 5 6 5 3 01/14-15 4 6 5 1 0 01/17-18 3 1 4 2 3

Archery Hunt

The 2002 Sika elk / White-tailed deer archery hunt was conducted on Oct 21-23 and Oct 28- 30. A total of 16 sika and 5 white-tailed deer were harvested during the 2002 archery hunt. Extremely wet conditions during the second week of the hunt severely limited the harvest. Refuge staff expended over 200 hours preparing for and administering the archery hunt.

Table 13: 2002 Archery Sika Elk Harvest

SIKA FEMALE SIKA MALE

0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 TOTAL 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 TOTAL TOTAL Age Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs SIKA Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs SIKA SIKA old old old old old old FEMALE old old old old old old MALE BOW HUNT 110001 3 151111 1013 10/21-23/02 BOW HUNT 100100 2 000000 0 3 2 10/28-30/02

Harvest Total 210101 5 151111 1016

62 Table 14: 2002 Archery White-Tailed Deer Harvest

WHITETAIL FEMALE WHITETAIL MALE Age 0. 1. 2. 3. 4.5 5. Total 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Total TOTAL 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 WT BOW HUNT 011001 3 000000 0 3 10/21-23/02 BOW HUNT 000000 0 100100 2 2 10/28-30/02

Harvest Total 011001 3 100100 2 5

December Gun Hunt / Sika

Table 15: Summary of sika harvested during the gun hunt in December 2002

SIKA FEMALE SIKA MALE

0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 TOTAL 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 TOTAL TOTAL Age Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs SIKA Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs SIKA SIKA old old old old old old FEMALE old old old old old old MALE GUN 17 10 9 3 1 0 40 0 17 11 5 0 0 33 73 HUNT 1 Dec 9/10 GUN 5 2 7010 150 8 1 000 9 24 HUNT 2

63 Dec 12/13 GUN 5 5 5010 160 1 2 000 3 19 HUNT 3 Dec 16/17 GUN 3 5 0000 8 0 4 5 100 1018 HUNT 4 Dec 19/20 Harvest 30 22 2 3 3 0 79 0 30 19 6 0 0 55 134 Total 1

December Gun Hunt / White-Tailed Deer

The white-tailed deer hunt was conducted on December 9-10 and 12-13. Hunters were still required to harvest a doe on the first day of their hunt in order to harvest a buck on the second day. However, hunters could take white-tailed does either day. Only 19 white-tailed deer were harvested in 2002 compared to 30 deer harvested in 2001.

Table 16: White-Tailed Deer Harvest

WHITETAIL FEMALE WHITETAIL MALE Age 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Total TOTAL 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 WT

GUN HUNT 1 321100 7 102111 6 13 12/9-12/10/02 GUN HUNT 2 002000 2 100210 4 6 12/12- 12/13/02 Harvest Total 323100 9 202321 1019

9. Marine Animals

A harbor seal was found on the Wild Beach on March 19, 2002. The seal was transported to the VMSM stranding team. The seal had an injured flipper, and an operation was performed to repair the damage. The seal was transported to a marine animal rehabilitation center in New York and was scheduled to be released sometime in May or June.

Twenty-three dead loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and one dead leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) washed ashore from June to November 2002. Data collected on each turtle included carapace length and width, presence or absence of tags, sex (if

64 identifiable), estimated weight, and any obvious injuries. Strandings are called in to the VMSM within 24 hours of collecting data. Copies of data forms are sent to VMSM’s stranding team. If possible, a genetic sample of muscle tissue was taken and frozen for later pick up by the VMSM. The carapace of each dead turtle was spray painted white or neon orange. The turtles were left on the beach at the request of VMSM for aerial surveys.

Four dead bottle-nosed dolphins washed ashore this year. All of the dolphins were collected by the VMSM stranding center for necropsy.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Scent stations are conducted every year in late October early November. They are not used to estimate populations of predators, but to establish trends, i.e. increasing or decreasing numbers of mammalian predators. Scent stations are placed around the Woodland Trail and on the Service Road. The 2002 survey was conducted on November 19 and 20. In 2002, the index for raccoons was 252 compared to 404 in 2001. The index for fox in 2002 was 60 compared to 61 in 2001.

Fox indexes were higher in the early 1990s and decreased in 1994-1997, and were increasing again; however an aggressive predator control program in areas adjacent to piping plover nesting areas in 2001 and 2002 appear to have had an impact on the overall index. Raccoons have stayed relatively constant through the years; however, this years drop in the index is significant.

12. Animal Control

The predator reduction program this year continued to emphasize red fox and raccoon control within and adjacent to plover nesting areas. Mammalian trapping was heavily emphasized in 2002. Den surveys and trapping began in early February using live havaheart and soft catch leg-hold traps as well as snares. A total of 136 trap nights were expended by refuge staff during the 2002 trapping season. During June, one adult red fox was dispatched on the Wild beach, this animal was seen moving though an area with a known plover brood doing the day, and a trap was set as a result the animal was dispatched the next morning, this is included in the trapping results listed below.

Table 17: Predator Reduction Results for 2002

Species Jan Feb March April May June July Total Boat Tailed Grackle 1 1 Laughing Gull 19 42 30 91 Herring Gull 13 24 21 63

65 Ring-Billed Gull 3 5 0 8 Greater Black- Backed 116 8 Gull Red Fox 2 2 1 1 6 Raccoon 6 3 1 10

Mammalian Trap 46 62 6 22 136 Nights

In an effort to reduce predation on plover chicks, selective shooting of avian predators was conducted on the Wild Beach, Overwash area, Hook and Assawoman Island. A total of 63 herring gulls, eight greater black-backed gulls, 91 laughing gulls, nine ring-billed gulls, one boat-tailed grackles, and were removed from the nesting areas. Even with the increased protective measures of selective shooting, numerous gull/plover confrontations were observed and documented during the nesting season.

58 H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

2002, oh, what a year for public use, or as the staff now likes to be referred to, Visitor Services. Construction on the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center (HHBEAC) took on new form. As the site was prepared, pilings were driven into the ground and the steel structures were secured to the cement, the entire refuge staff and the community began to witness the dream of a new visitor become a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new center was conducted in January and featured members of the Herbert H. Bateman family, members of Congress including Representatives Ed Schrock and Jo Ann Davis, and Regional Directorate members Mamie Parker and Tony Leger. Many local and state-elected officials also attended as well as members of the Chincoteague Refuge Educational and

Administrative Committee, refuge volunteers and Chincoteague

60 Natural History Association members. In all, more than 200 people attended the ceremony on that beautiful, crisp winter morning. And, the Visitor Services, Administrative staffs and Maintenance could not have done a better job planning and implementing the event.

Indeed, talk continued to turn into action as Showtime Exhibit Builders was contracted to fabricate and install the HHBEAC’s exhibits. SORP Tracy worked with several staff members throughout the year to acquire graphics and to finalize the script. In addition to the interior exhibits, work continued to ensue on the Interpretive Hubs, which are scheduled to be installed on the Wildlife Loop, Lighthouse Trail and Woodland Trail in summer 2003. The Interpretive Hubs will feature information that is touched upon briefly in the interior exhibits, while giving all refuge signs, including trail heads, a “facelift” that will feature a new visual identity and stunning icons. Many individuals and organizations contributed to this monumental graphic effort which not only included camera-ready art, but artifact reproduction and rare photographic research.

In addition to the monumental task of planning and designing the new HHBEAC, Visitor Services staff did an absolutely stellar job of planning and implementing the environmental education (EE), interpretive and fee programs. Specifically, and despite the continuing vacancy of the ORP/EE position, RA McGuire continued her tradition of excellence delivering curriculum-based educational programming 12 months a year. Not only did she write and acquire several key grants, but she continued to work diligently and in cooperation with the AINS to plan and implement the spring EE program; plan and deliver special fall educational outreach programs to local schools; and, work in partnership with the Marine Science Consortium (MSC) to deliver educational programming in the summer. Moreover, RA McGuire continued to plan and deliver Elderhostel programs for the MSC and the Oyster and Maritime Museum throughout the year. All this despite the fact that she was enrolled in a Master’s of Education Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and planning her wedding!

As usual, ORP VanScoyoc continued to offer visitors a full menu of interpretive programs throughout the year. Programs were featured on every refuge management program and in every habitat despite temperature and bug extremes. In addition to conducting planning and interpretive programs throughout the year, training interns, managing the refuge’s museum property, and assisting with the VCS, ORP VanScoyoc spearheaded the refuge’s efforts to celebrate the National Wildlife Refuge Centennial. Specifically, she created the Centennial Countdown Calendar which umerated a variety of activities and events that began in the summer and peaked out with a centennial float that earned the refuge a second place award in the Town’s annual Christmas Parade.

Although ORP VanScoyoc was quick to give credit to the dedicated volunteers, interns and staff who assisted her with the events and activities throughout 2002, she must be lauded for

63 64 65 her enduring enthusiasm and support for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity to tout the system and the refuge. All this in spite of the fact the she lost her mother during the year and was, out of necessity, on extended leave.

The refuge’s fee program had a banner year as visitation soared and more than 1.5 million visitors flocked to the refuge (a record amount since SORP Tracy arrived)! PR Bowden recruited, hired and trained a new staff member, as well as provided an unbelievable amount of support to the returning fee collectors. PR Bowden also served as the Visitor Services staff “sweeper,” providing invaluable assistance planning and implementing special events, completing a myriad of reports and pitching in for various staff members during their absences. Moreover, PR Bowden took on a highly visible and specialized program, becoming the Sister Shorebird School Program Coordinator for Region 5. In this light, she attended a workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah and coordinated with the NCTC, the Migratory Bird Management Office in Washington and the Regional Office to plan a Sister Shorebird Workshop at the refuge in 2003.

PR McNally continued to ensure that the refuge’s VCS was “the place to be in 2002.” Specifically, she continued to assist the CNHA Business Manager with acquisition and distribution of new sales items, as well as provided much needed support to the association as the organization began an entrepreneurial year with running an interpretive tram tour to replace the concession. Despite the fact that visitation soared in the VCS, additional duties were encumbered due to the wildlife tours and new interns needing to be trained, PR McNally performed her job with her typical finesse and excellence, with hardly a complaint from the public to speak of! PR McNally’s enthusiasm for and dedication to her job is only surpassed by the adoration poured on her by her loyal band of VCS volunteers.

SORP Tracy had a busy year as well. After returning from four months of maternity leave on January 26, SORP Tracy immediately got to work finalizing the scripts for both the interior exhibits and the Interpretive Hubs. Additionally, she was charged with image acquisition and camera-ready art...both of which were assignments that she had never before experienced. Additionally, SORP Tracy served on two national teams: Career Pathways for Visitor Services Professionals (part of a NWRS Promises Team) and Standardizing Visitor Centers for Under $3 Million. Both assignments were met with many challenges, but were completed on time and met with enthusiasm by the “Armchair Warriors.” Specifically, SORP Tracy with other Promises Team members, completely revamped all public use position descriptions and made recommendations for core staffing criteria for the Washington, Regional and Field offices. The position descriptions and the core staffing criteria were presented to the Leadership Development Counsel in October. Further work to complete the team’s charter is scheduled to commence in March 2003. Via congressional request and per a regional nomination, SORP Tracy also served on a national team who was charged with developing a cost estimating matrix to assist all Service field stations with designing “turn key” visitor facilities for less than a $3 million. The product, completed in September, was presented to Loretta Boehmont, Chief of Staff for the House Interior Sub-Appropriations Committee. It is presently being piloted at various field stations throughout the nation.

66 Last, but certainly not least, was the addition of ORP Kelly Chase, to the Visitor Services staff. ORP Chase was appointed to a Career-Conditional position at the refuge following her conversion from a Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) student at Back Bay NWR in Virginia Beach. ORP Chase graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, concentration in Parks and Protected Area Management, and a minor in Fishery Biology in May 2002 and officially reported to work at Chincoteague Refuge the last week of July. After arriving at the refuge, ORP Chase was busy assisting SORP Tracy with a wide variety of tasks related to the new HHBEAC including, but not limited to: attending planning meetings, reconciling script, reconciling photos and slides, and acquiring images for both the interior exhibits and Interpretive Hubs. ORP Chase is a welcomed addition to the staff, even though she has continued to drive her supervisor crazy with her pronounced laughter and enthusiasm...not to mention her new definitions of wildlife terminology.

In addition to hosting many special events; planning and designing the HHBEAC; conducting interpretive and environmental education programs; recruiting, hiring and training interns; collecting and reconciling recreation and entrance fees; operating the VCS and fee collection booths; working with the cooperating association; maintaining museum property; moving into trailers that are characterized by Third World conditions; designing the country’s finest visitor services publications; serving on regional and national teams; planning for the NWRS Centennial; and, coordinating with our many conservation partners, the staff also issued 28 press releases covering the full array of refuge activities in 2002. Oh what a year indeed!

2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students

Environmental education had to overcome many hurdles in 2002. First, the permanent EE ORP position continued to lay vacant. Secondly, as a result of the Department of Interior’s temporary termination of Internet service (the refuge’s main medium for intern recruitment) in the beginning months of the year, only one intern, Leanne Bonner, was hired for the spring EE season. In addition, RA McGuire started graduate school in May, reducing her time at work. Furthermore, the staff moved into temporary trailers in early June due to the construction of the HHBEAC. The abandonment of the old office buildings included the auditorium. Therefore, this year’s Refuge Academy, summer day camp for local students, was canceled for lack of a meeting and break room. Despite these obstacles, approximately 2,500 students were educated about wildlife and the refuge through formal, staff-guided programs.

The most exciting development for environmental education in 2002 was the installation of a Romtec port-o-let on the EE trail in March. The new port-o-let allowed school groups to forego the time-consuming bathroom break at the VCS and proceed directly to the EE trail for the day’s programs. The time saved resulted in the students spending more time participating in educational activities. In addition, emergencies were diverted because of the new, closer potty.

67 RA McGuire and Intern Bonner conduct a food web activity for a Middle School Science Club.

Students from a Richmond City School use dip nets on the EE Trail to find aquatic invertebrates.

Students from Falling Creek Middle School observe the critters they’ve found during the Aquatic Detectives educational program.

The formal spring EE season kicked off April 1 and concluded on May 24. As in the past, the spring EE season was conducted in partnership with staff from the AINS. This year, the refuge was responsible for creating and

67 disseminating the EE flyer for the two agencies. To help educators meet their state curriculum needs, refuge staff conducted programs on the wetland food chain, migratory birds, and forest ecology with an endangered species management component for students ranging from 1st grade through college. RA McGuire and Intern Bonner conducted 57 programs for 1,175 students and totaling 1781.50 hours.

Environmental education however, was not restricted just to the spring. Throughout the year, programs were conducted on the refuge for diverse groups of students including school groups, scouting groups, church youth groups, summer educational camps, vocational centers, hiking clubs, and the YCC.

In an exciting partnership with Earthspan, a nonprofit research and technology organization, 70 students and teachers from Roland Park Middle School in Baltimore participated in a program which focused on peregrine falcon research and conservation in October. The students were treated to the rare opportunity to observe three live peregrine falcons being banded. In addition to the Earthspan presentation, the students participated in programs with the refuge and AINS staffs.

Although the educational outreach program was curtailed this year, every attempt was made to accommodate the needs of teachers. The refuge did not advertise the outreach program, but educators were informed that they could still request programs. For instance, RA McGuire participated in this year’s local Envirothon competition as the wildlife presenter at the Nature Conservancy’s Woodland Farm property. ORP Van Scoyoc conducted a program for 90 Pocomoke YMCA summer campers. Other outreach programs included various local school groups and an evening program for the local Boy Scouts.

In March, the outreach program extended all the way to Missouri. PR Goddard conducted six programs for the Putnam County R-1 Elementary School while visiting family in the area. The programs focused on the Chincoteague Ponies and their management, President Teddy Roosevelt, the NWRS and endangered species. More than 400 students ranging from kindergarten through 5th grade participated in the programs.

The refuge’s involvement in the Elderhostel program continued to increase in 2002. In addition to the regular Elderhostels, the refuge conducted 10 Marine Science Consortium Intergenerational Elderhostels for 282 grandparents and their grandchildren during the summer months. The programs provided for transmitting information about the NWRS and wildlife management while maintaining a fun and interactive atmosphere for the younger audience members. Due to a lack of an auditorium, the programs were conducted at the Marine Science Consortium. Other Elderhostels were conducted at the Mariner Motel’s conference room.

Regional Coordinator of the Sister Shorebird School Program (SSSP) PR Bowden continued her involvement in the program in 2002. In May, PR Bowden met with the original founder

68 of the SSSP, Heather Johnson; National Coordinator Hilary Chapman; and, the SSSP Coordinator from Argentina at the New Jersey Audubon Society Center for Research and Education in Cape May to promote SSSP in the area. The SSSP Coordinators met with Dale Rosselet, Director of Education with the Audubon Society in New Jersey. PR Bowden had plans to host a SSSP workshop in the spring. However, workshop plans were put on hold because there was no space to hold the event. The Regional Office considered sponsoring a workshop but decided to focus their efforts on information for the web site and curriculum revision. On October 1, PR Bowden traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend the annual Sister Shorebird Coordinators meeting. The meeting focused on national wildlife refuges and their involvement in SSSP. Action items resulting from the meeting included: increasing participation from each region in the list server, conducting at least one workshop in each region and tracking time spent on SSSP.

Two environmental education-related grants were written in 2002. A Centennial Education 100 grant was submitted in July to fund an environmental education enhancement project. The proposed project would help equip the classroom, teacher resource room, and EE trail. The proposal ranked 4th in the region out of the 26 proposals submitted. However, due to the budget’s continuing resolution, final decisions regarding award determinations had not been made by press time. A challenge grant aimed at partially funding a HHBEAC open house for local educators was completed in October. Again, the continuing resolution halted determinations of grant awards.

Environmental Education Programs:

Table 18: Formal Environmental Education Program

FORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Guided Total 2002 On-Site Off-Site Number Conducted 74 22 Number of Contacts 1,600 891

Number of Hours 4,230.50 654.75

Fee Waiver:

69 Table 19: Non-Guided Environmental Education Programs

NON-GUIDED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Number Conducted 26 Number of Contacts 944 Number of Hours 4,072.00

Marine Science Consortium:

Table 20: Marine Science Consortium Environmental Education Programs

MARINE SCIENCE CONSORTIUM ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Number Conducted 308 Number of Contacts 7,493 Number of Hours 20,236.50

Elderhostel:

Table 21: Elderhostels Programs

ELDERHOSTELS Marine Science Oyster Museum Service Total 2002 Consortium Number 15 8 2 Conducted Number of 418 325 65 Contacts Number of Hours 874.75 437.50 1,628.00

70 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers

On March12, RA McGuire hosted a training session for several Marine Science Consortium instructors. After an auditorium presentation, BT Penn and RA McGuire took the instructors on a refuge tour. Similarly, on April 17, RA McGuire conducted a training session and tour for staff and volunteers involved in EE from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Eastern Shore Environmental Education Council regained strength in 2002. Several well organized and productive meetings were facilitated by the council, of which Chincoteague Refuge is a member. The meetings culminated in the administration of an Eastern Shore Environmental Education Teacher Workshop on November 5 for approximately 25 local teachers. RA McGuire informed the group about the refuge’s many educational opportunities. ORP Van Scoyoc also provided assistance during the field trip component of the workshop.

Table 22: Teacher Training Workshops

TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOPS Number Conducted 3 Number of Contacts 39

Number of Hours 176.50

4. Interpretive Foot Trails

The refuge’s network of trails provided many recreational opportunities in 2002. Only hikers and bikers were permitted on the Wildlife Loop (3.2 miles) before 3 PM. Vehicles were allowed to enter the loop after 3 PM. Hikers and bikers used the Wildlife Loop to connect to the Woodland Trail by using Black Duck Trail. When visitors wanted to reach the beach without contending with vehicular traffic, they used Swan Cove Trail (1.25 miles). Bicyclists accessed the Lighthouse Trail parking lot by using the bicycle spur along Beach Road. However, the section of the spur that connected the Lighthouse Trail parking lot to the former headquarters building was closed due to construction of the HHBEAC.

For visitors that only wanted to walk the trails, three refuge trails met their needs. The Freshwater Marsh Trail (1 mile) invited visitors to investigate the wonders of wetlands. An observation deck with two scopes provided excellent viewing of marsh wildlife. The Lighthouse Trail (½ mile) allowed visitors an opportunity to travel back into time to discover the cultural history of Assateague Island. For the adventurous and serious hiker, the Service Road (7.5 miles) allowed visitors to travel through a variety of the island’s ecosystems. The interpretive foot trails were also used by refuge staff and interns to conduct roves as a way to reach the visitors who did not attend programs or enter the VCS. A total of 112 roves resulted in 378 contacts.

71 Additionally, Volunteers Carolle and Glenn Aldinger concluded a year-long monitoring effort on visitor interpretive foot trails use to develop a formula to convert the data recorded by the Lighthouse and Woodland Trails counters into an estimated number of visits and test the accuracy of the counters. The formula was derived by comparing the number of manually counted trail visits to the number recorded in the trail counter. Also, monitoring concluded that the trail counters were accurate in recording number of visits, therefore, additional counters were ordered for Black Duck, Swan Cove and Freshwater Marsh Trails.

Many interpretive programs were conducted on the foot trails during 2002. Table 23 enumerates, by month, the number of visitors who attended the programs and the hours those visitors spent engaged in interpretive activities on the refuge’s foot trails.

ORP VanScoyoc conducted a freshwater marsh walk over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. However, rain prevented other planned interpretive programs from taking place.

Several programs were conducted in February. Specifically, ORP VanScoyoc conducted a walk on Groundhog’s Day to inform to visitors how nature adapts to wintery conditions. Three interpretive programs (e.g., Marsh Marvels, Legacy of the Lighthouse and Woodland Wonders) were also offered over Presidents’ Day Weekend.

Interpretive programs attendance began to increase in March. Feathered Whatsits, Island Nightlife and Legacy of the Lighthouse were extremely well attended by weekend visitors.

In April, as part of the refuge’s Earth Day Celebration, Intern Bonner, assisted by RA McGuire, conducted Global Games. An early morning bird walk was also offered as part of the Earth Day events. Programs were only conducted on weekends in April because ORP Van Scoyoc was detailed the Regional Office from April 8 through April 26.

As usual, Memorial Day Weekend marked the beginning of the busy summer season. A flexible biweekly schedule of summer interpretive programs was developed by ORP Van Scoyoc and Interns Ritter and Kaplan. Although this schedule was distributed at the VCS, Toms Cove Visitor Center and Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, the number of visits to guided programs declined. AINS staff conducted two bird walks during May as part of the IMBC.

On June 1, Visitor Services staff conducted National Fishing and Boating Week activities including a clamming demonstration by local clam farmer Chip Lewis. The refuge rented a tent from the local Kiwanis Club for a staging area and this appeared to improve attendance to fishing week activities.

Labor Day marked the end the summer interpretive season and the beginning of the fall interpretive season. James Bartis was selected as the fall interpretive intern. Intern Bartis conducted a variety of programs on the refuge’s foot trails as well as staffed the VCS during the weekends.

72 As part of the NWR Week Celebration in October, visitors discovered the natural and cultural history of the island through a variety of walks conducted over the Columbus Day Weekend. For example, ORP Van Scoyoc conducted a Feathered Whatsits and special White Hills walk on October 11 and AINS staff conducted a morning bird walk on October 12.

Chilly temperatures did not deter visitors from attending interpretive programs on the refuge’s foot trails during Waterfowl Week. The refuge hosted approximately 26,000 visits during the nine-day event from November 23 through December 1. During the early part of the week, chilly temperatures kept visitors from participating in guided programs, but attendance increased by Thanksgiving Day. Also, roving volunteers served as “Goodwill Ambassadors” along the Service Road during Thanksgiving weekend when the road was open to vehicles. The Ambassadors answered questions and provided information.

During the sika and white-tailed deer firearm hunt, all trails, with the exception of the Lighthouse Trail, were closed to the general public, until at least noon. The Service Road was closed to the public all day during both the archery and firearm hunts.

Winter intern Audra Seladi conducted two walks, Legacy of the Lighthouse and Marsh Marvels, during December. A quiet end to a hectic, challenging, and rewarding year of interpretive programs on the refuge’s foot trails.

Table 23: Guided Walk Interpretive Programs

GUIDED WALK PROGRAMS Number of Number of Number of Programs Contacts Hours January Legacy of the Lighthouse 1 0 0 rain-out rain-out Marsh Marvels 1 7 10.5

February Legacy of the Lighthouse 1 35 35 Marsh Marvels 1 12 12 White Hills 1 6 12 Woodland Wonders 1 28 28

March Feathered Whatsits 2 11 11

73 GUIDED WALK PROGRAMS Island Nightlife 1 17 25.5 Legacy of the Lighthouse 2 47 47

April Feathered Whatsits 1 6 9 Global Games 1 12 12

May Discovery Walk 1 15 22.5 Feathered Whatsits 2 53 79.5 Legacy of the Lighthouse 1 27 27 White Hills 1 57 114 Woodland Wonders 1 14 14

June Afternoon Bird Walk 1 8 10 Bike Tour 1 11 22 Blue Crab Special 2 25 33 Clamming Demonstrations 1 29 43.5 Feathered Whatsits 7 70 91.5 Island Nightlife 3 49 49 Legacy of the Lighthouse 6 146 120 Marsh Marvels 1 11 11 Scavenger Safari 1 4 2 Woodland Wonders 4 37 33

July Bike Tour 4 47 115 Evening Bird Walk 3 37 49 Feathered Whatsits 3 97 135

74 GUIDED WALK PROGRAMS Island Nightlife 3 34 34 Legacy of the Lighthouse 12 259 230 Marsh Marvels 8 39 43 Pony Penning Special 3 36 18 Scavenger Safari 2 22 16 Woodland Wonders 6 58 58

August Afternoon Bird Walk 5 93 139.5 Bicycle Tour 3 41 108 Blue Crab Special 4 48 55 Feathered Whatsits 4 57 85.5 Island Nightlife 2 23 23 Legacy of the Lighthouse 10 202 134.5 Marsh Marvels 6 60 39 Scavenger Safari (4) 4 29 29 Voices of Assateague 4 54 36.25 Woodland Wonders 5 28 23

September Feathered Whatsits 2 35 52.5 Island Nightlife 1 2 2 Legacy of the Lighthouse 2 5 4 Marsh Marvels 2 25 25 White Hills 1 5 10

October Feathered Whatsits 4 49 66.5 Island Nightlife 1 60 60

75 GUIDED WALK PROGRAMS Legacy of the Lighthouse 2 21 21 Marsh Marvels 3 25 25 White Hills Walk 1 5 5 Woodland Wonders 1 4 4

November Bike Hike 1 14 28 Feathered Whatsits 6 69 69 Habitat History 2 15 15 Island Nightlife 1 53 53 Legacy of the Lighthouse 3 68 70.5 Life Behind the Dunes 2 35 52.5 Marsh Marvels 3 48 48 Woodland Wonders 4 49 51.25

December Legacy of the Lighthouse 1 4 2 Marsh Marvels 1 8 8

5. Interpretive Tour Routes

Visitors used automobiles, buses and bicycles as their main ways of gaining access to the refuge during 2002. The refuge experienced a dramatic increase in visitation during the year, with more than 1.54 million visits. Wayside exhibits, pull-offs, and three observation platforms, located on the Wildlife Loop, Woodland Trail, and Freshwater Marsh Trail, respectively, provided visitors with opportunities to connect to refuge resources. A new boardwalk and set of interpretive panels located behind the Toms Cove Visitor Center, provided visitors with information about the refuge’s salt marshes.

Table 24: Self-Guided Visits for 2002

SELF-GUIDED VISITS Auto Buses Bicycle Total

76 SELF-GUIDED VISITS January 24,374 450 381 25,205 February 31,472 450 492 32,414 March 49,088 450 920 50,458 April 74,762 4,050 1,402 80,214 May 116,771 4,050 5,474 126,295 June 204,458 6,750 9,584 220,792 July 300,970 6,750 23,513 331,233 August 297,635 6,750 23,253 327,638 September 149,443 4,050 7,005 160,498 October 89,136 4,050 4,178 97,364 November 58,166 450 2,727 61,343 December 32,662 450 510 33,622

Total 1,428,937 38,700 79,439 1,547,076

6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations

The Chincoteague Refuge VCS received 251,242 visits during 2002. According to the guest registration book, visitors from all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 36 foreign countries entered the facility.

Table 25: Chincoteague Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore Visitor Facility Visits, a Five Year Comparison

VISITOR FACILITY VISITS Year Facility 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Refuge 140,680 139,146 143,374 176,039 251,242 Visitor Contact Station Assateague Island Nat. Seashore 94,888 61,002* 80,730 141,394 137,502 Visitor Center *The National Park Service assisted visitors out of temporary trailers located along Beach Road for much of the year. The 59% decline in 1999 visitation is attributed to this factor.

77 Table 26: Chincoteague Refuge VCS Visits, Five Year Comparison by Month

VISITOR CONTACT STATION VISITATION Year Month 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 January 4,412 2,748 3,143 3,154 1,754 February 3,271 2,031 3,619 4,504 3,873 March 5,501 6,120 6,263 6,750 7,143 April 13,434 13,783 14,471 13,622 15,347 May 10,894 14,958 12,621 10,657 22,380 June 14,433 16,635 17,254 17,807 32,243 July 18,122 21,795 22,459 29,556 49,444 August 34,500 25,732 22,474 40,996 48,636 September 13,525 11,132 13,103 17,073 28,527 October 11,173 12,196 13,166 19,200 21,882 November 8,040 9,181 10,458 9,621 15,052 December 3,375 2,835 4,343 3,099 4,961

Total 140,680 139,146 143,374 176,039 251,242

Several demonstrations were conducted at the Chincoteague Refuge VCS in 2002.

Table 27: Demonstration Activities at VCS

DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITIES Number of Number of Number of Activity Month Make It/Take It Activity Programs Contacts Hours March Sand Painting 1 9 4 April Crafty Critters 1 21 4

78 DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITIES Number of Number of Number of Activity Month Make It/Take It Activity Programs Contacts Hours July Centennial Pop-Up Coloring 2308 Books

August Sand Painting and 8 183 32 Centennial Pop-Up Coloring Books

Total 12 243 48

Despite the limitation imposed on visitors by a ten-seat mini-auditorium, approximately 13,639 visitors received an introduction to the refuge and its wildlife through video presentations at the VCS.

Table 28: Mini-Auditorium Visits by Month

MINI-AUDITORIUM VISITS Month Number of Visits January 90 February 283 March 687 April 1,015 May 1,051 June 1,423 July 3,585 August 2,663 September 1,511 October 834 November 390 December 107

Total 13,639

79 A variety of interpretive exhibits and demonstrations were conducted during 2002 including a kick-off for the NWRS Centennial in March. Approximately 300 people visited the VCS and received Centennial give-aways, refuge information and birthday cake. TR Bear even made several appearances throughout the day.

As part of the refuge’s Earth Day Celebration in April, volunteer Dick Roberts conducted an early morning bird walk on the Woodland Trail and ROS Mireles read the Lorax at the VCS. Additionally, children participated in crafty critters and free dogwood seedlings, courtesy of Conectiv, were given to adults. Refuge staff also conducted a round of Global Games on the EE trail. Additionally in April, Intern Bonner, volunteers Jack and Dolly Keene and Inge and Krista Veneziano staffed a refuge informational booth at Salisbury Zoo’s Earth Day Celebration. The event attracted 5,000 people.

Interpretive exhibits and demonstrations continued with a campfire program on bird migration and navigation followed by a starwatch as part of the IMBC in May. RA McGuire and Park Ranger Gretchen Knapp, AINS, presented the program and volunteers Ted and Charlotte Thomas conducted the starwatch program. More than 1,200 people participated in IMBC activities under the tent. Children and their parents were quite busy making 110 bird feeders, 125 animal tracks, 100 sand paintings, and 115 Centennial Pop-Up Coloring Books. Eighty visitors had their faces painted or tattooed with wildlife art designs. Nearly 900 people climbed to the top of the Assateague Island Lighthouse. Wildlife artists exhibited their work at the event and conservation groups including Biowhitaker, Assateague Coastal Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Marine Science Consortium set-up informational displays about the importance of conserving wildlife. Local decoy carver Reggie Birch conducted a decoy carving demonstration and Assateague Coastal Trust presented a backyard habitat program. The Historic Main Street Merchants Association sponsored an art contest for children in three age groups and the winners were presented with savings bonds. It was a close contest by ballot, but as it turned out, all three winners were from the same family.

On June 1, the refuge hosted a series of activities to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week. The activities began at 7:30 AM with a walk to investigate the refuge’s feathered anglers. A clamming demonstration was also conducted and was the “hit” of the celebration with 29 visitors attending. The refuge sponsored a second crabbing demonstration mid-day and staff conducted fishing Make It/Take It activities and distributed family-fun fishing information. Also during the week of June 3 through June 7, fish-oriented Make It/Take It activities continued at the VCS during the operating hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The week ended with a 7:30 AM Earlybirds Walk and a 1:00 PM Marsh Marvels Walk.

80 81 A Great Day for Ducks, another Centennial Countdown event, was held on July 1 to celebrate the first day of sales for the 2002/2003 Federal Duck Stamp. Approximately 600 people viewed the Duck Stamp display at the VCS. At 10:00 AM, WB Ailes conducted a bird banding demonstration. Exhibit bands, banding tools, and centennial pencils (bird legs) were available to anyone who wished to try their own hand at banding. In the afternoon ORP Van Scoyoc hosted Lucky Ducky. Six decoys, donated by Volunteer Jeffery Oshaben, were placed in a plastic swimming pool visitors were prompted to test their knowledge of area waterfowl.

Also in July, the refuge hosted another Centennial Countdown Calender event at Memorial Park. Approximately 150 people attended a concert conducted by Billy B, the natural science song and dance man. Refuge staff also conducted sand painting, face painting, Centennial Pop-Up Coloring Book, and crafty critters activities under the pavilion.

82 As part of the Weekend of the Islands in October, ORP Van Scoyoc and PR Knapp, AINS, conducted an evening campfire program about the full moon.

Despite rainy and windy weather, over 8,000 people visited the refuge during NWR Week in October. Nearly 1,000 visitors participated in activities under the tent on October 12. Specifically, 150 fishy t-shirts were printed, 125 pine cone bird feeders were constructed, 90 children were decorated with wildlife tattoos, 110 centennial buttons were created, and 116 animal tracks were formed. Visitors also participated in a variety of walks on Saturday and Sunday to discover the natural and cultural history of the island. Several interpretive programs were conducted including decoy carving by local carver Reggie Birch illustrating how to transform a block of wood into a piece of art. Joyce Ponsell of Assateague Coastal Trust presented a program which educated visitors about how to backyard into a haven for wildlife. Wildlife artists and conservation partners also participated in the refuge week celebration and nearly 1,400 people climbed to the top of the Assateague Lighthouse.

Chilly temperatures did not deter visitors from flocking to the next event held in November - Waterfowl Week. The refuge hosted approximately 26,000 visits during the nine-day event from November 23 through December 1. Approximately 2,000 vehicles traveled the Service Road November 28 to December 1. During the entire nine days of Waterfowl Week, Wildlife Loop was open to vehicular traffic from 9:00 AM to dusk. A large flock of snow geese attracted the most attention. A number of people also took advantage of the variety of guided programs. Bird and marsh walks, lighthouse strolls and woodland wanders were conducted. On November 29, WB Ailes conducted a bird banding demonstration.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

83 Since the refuge auditorium was knocked to the ground in June, no auditorium programs were conducted in 2002; however, a number of other interpretive programs were conducted.

Table 29: Hunt Orientation for Firearm and Archery Season

2002 HUNT ORIENTATIONS Number Number of Number of Hours Conducted Contacts January 5 320 640 October 2 121 242 December 4 230 460

Total 2002 11 671 1,342

A total of 11 hunt orientations were conducted in 2002. Specifically, during January five firearm hunt orientations were conducted for a total of 320 hunters. During October, two archery hunt orientations were conducted for 121 hunters and 230 hunters attended four firearms orientations that were conducted in December.

BT Penn and RA McGuire, conducted a refuge tour for Refuge Academy students in April. The tour also included an ascent up the historic Assateague Lighthouse.

Filled with the Centennial and Christmas spirits, ORP Van Scoyoc took the NWRS Centennial message to the streets of Chincoteague during the Christmas Parade. ORP Van Scoyoc and several volunteers created a float - A Hundred Years of Conserving Nature’s Gifts, which not only captured interest, but also earned second place. A five-foot silver- sequined “100" with an eagle soaring above dominated the float. Down below, an “animated” TR Bear, snow goose, and deer greeted the parade watchers lining the street. A paper-mashie piping plover and Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, along with a carved great blue heron gazed at the brightly lit tree. Nature’s gifts of habitat were colorfully wrapped beneath the tree. Taylor Tracy, SORP Tracy’s daughter, represented the future generation for whom these gifts are conserved.

Other interpretive programs that were conducted throughout 2002, e.g, Refuge Review and Treasures of the Touchtable, proved especially important during the summer since the refuge auditorium was no longer available. These programs, conducted in the VCS, provided concise, but general information about refuge resources and management programs.

Table 30: A Summary of 15-minute Programs Conducted by Month

84 THE LITTLE PROGRAMS THAT COULD Number of Number Number of Activity Conducted Contacts Hours January Refuge Review 7 31 7.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 5 21 5.25

February Refuge Review 5 15 7.50 Treasures of the Touchtable 8 30 3.75 March Refuge Review 5 13 3.25 Treasures of the Touchtable 9 27 6.75

April Refuge Review 3 9 1.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 7 17 4.25

May Refuge Review 5 9 2.25 Treasures of the Touchtable 9 22 5.50

June Refuge Review 14 43 10.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 23 73 18.25

July Refuge Review 17 67 16.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 27 83 20.75

August

85 THE LITTLE PROGRAMS THAT COULD Refuge Review 11 39 9.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 27 88 22.00

September Refuge Review 4 15 3.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 13 28 7.00

October Refuge Review 17 39 9.75 Treasures of the Touchtable 20 43 10.75

November Refuge Review 11 20 5.00 Treasures of the Touchtable 17 23 5.75

December Refuge Review 2 7 1.25 Treasures of the Touchtable 5 11 2.75

Total 2002 Refuge Review 101 307 79.50 Treasures of the Touchtable 170 466 112.75

8. Hunting

86 Table 31: Guided Waterfowl Hunt for Migratory Birds

MIGRATORY BIRDS - WATERFOWL (GUIDED HUNT)* Number of Number Harvested Number of Hunters Hours January 56 46 242 February 41 40 148 November 27 37 110 December 61 136 315

Total 185 259 815

Four compartments on Wildcat Marsh were reserved and awarded by sealed bid to commercial hunt guides. In 2002, the compartments were awarded to Randy Birch, Danny Bowden, Andy Linton, and Pete Wallace.

Table 32: Public Hunt for Migratory and Game Birds

MIGRATORY AND GAME BIRDS - PUBLIC HUNT* Number of Permits Wildcat Marsh and Morris Island Waterfowl Rail January 16 0 November 10 0 December 80

Total 34 0

Waterfowl hunting was permitted on the Wildcat Marsh, Morris Island, Assawoman Island, and Metompkin Island Divisions of Chincoteague National Wildlife.

Table 33: White-tailed Deer and Sika Elk Hunt on Chincoteague Refuge

87 WHITE-TAILED DEER AND SIKA ELK HUNT Number of Hunters 697 Number of Hours 12,541

An archery hunt for white-tailed does and any sex sika elk was conducted October 21, 22, 23, and October 28, 29, and 30. Applications had to be received by refuge administrative staff by September 9 and accompanied by the $5.00 application fee in order to be included in the September 11 lottery drawing.

In 2002, the firearm hunt was split into two types. The sika elk only hunt was conducted on December 16 and 17 and December 19 and 20, with the firearm hunt resuming in January 2003. The white-tailed deer and/or sika elk hunts took place on December 9 and 10 and December 12 and 13. Applications for the firearm hunts had to be received by refuge administrative staff by October 21 in order to be included in the October 28 lottery drawing. All applications had to be accompanied by a $5.00 application fee.

All hunters were required to attend a hunt orientation for the type of hunt in which he/she participated. Attendance at an orientation insured that all hunters were aware of this year’s rules and regulations. Each hunter was also charged a $20.00 refuge permit fee. Fees were non-refundable.

9. Fishing

A total of 2,295 overnight fishing permits were issued in 2002. Both surf fishing and shell fishing were among the most popular wildlife-dependent recreational activities conducted on the refuge in 2002. The ORV Zone hosted most of the surf anglers while the mudflats of Toms Cove provided visitors with the opportunity to forage for clams, oysters and mussels. Crabbers utilized the banks of Swan Cove and the area near the water control structure (located close to the pony corral) to fish for this delicious species.

11. Wildlife Observation

By definition, wildlife observation means to enjoy wildlife in a non-consumptive, equally mutualistic interaction that intrigues and educates visitors while allowing wildlife to act naturally in their surrounding environment. This interaction can be everything from finding a saddleback caterpillar on a lone tree limb to standing in awe looking at a six-point white- tailed buck. The profusion of possibilities at Chincoteague Refuge is countless and can be found on every trail, bike path and drive.

88 Chincoteague Refuge provided visitors with many opportunities to observe wildlife in 2002. For example, spring offered visitors the awesome spectacle of shorebird and warbler migrations as these species stopped to rest and rejuvenate on their long journeys north and south. During summer, visitors admired an array of wading birds that were concentrated in various borrow ditches hunting for prey. In the fall, visitors observed a myriad of raptors and waterfowl. And in winter, as wildlife sought shelter from inclement weather, visitors could observe wildlife from Beach Road and several refuge trails.

During Waterfowl Week, the service road was open to private vehicles from noon until 3:30 PM, for four days, Thanksgiving Day to the following Sunday, affording visitors unprecedented opportunities to view wildlife in several of the refuge’s moist soil management units. In addition, vehicles were authorized to drive around the Wildlife Loop to observe wildlife from 9:00 AM, to dusk, for the entire nine days of the special event.

The refuge’s trail system also offered visitors spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in 2002. The wildlife observation platforms located on the Freshwater Marsh Trail, Woodland Trail and Wildlife Loop, placed visitors on elevated ground to further enhance wildlife viewing. Pull-offs along Beach Road allowed visitors to take the refuge in at their own pace.

Chincoteague Refuge enabled people from every walk of life to appreciate, experience, and understand wildlife through this mutually beneficial activity by providing them access to diverse habitats, species and discoveries.

12. Other Wildlife Oriented Activities

Many visitors took full advantage of the refuge’s resources to photograph wildlife in 2002. The hiking/biking trails offered a myriad of experiences for the professional or amateur photographer. Pull-offs along the road also facilitated the “dream image,” some of which have been published in magazines, brochures and exhibits.

Many bicyclists also traversed the refuge’s intricate and accessible trail system in 2002. A trail that started on the west side of the entrance bridge, brought cyclists from the Town of Chincoteague onto the refuge free of charge. Approximately 80,000 visitors used the refuge’s accommodating trail system in 2002.

While horseback riders may not travel the trail system, they were permitted on Beach Road and in the ORV Zone.

Beachcombing was also a popular refuge activity in 2002. The most highly utilized sites for beachcombing were the ORV Zone and an area one to two miles north of Beach Parking Lot Number1.

89 13. Camping

While camping is not permitted on the refuge, permits for back country sites located in Maryland were issued by AINS staff at Toms Cove Visitor Center. The hike-in permits issued by the AINS staff allowed visitors to experience a hike through the northern end of the refuge. Canoe-in permits allowed visitors to reach their site by water.

14. Picnicking

Visitors picnicked using one of the ten picnic tables provided and maintained by the AINS. Although not encouraged by refuge staff, many visitors picnicked around parking lots or in their vehicles. Trash receptacles at the VCS were removed due to wildlife concerns. In 2003, Refuge staff will encourage visitors to use the, “Pack it in, pack it out”philosophy.

15. Off-Road Vehicling

The Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Zone was available to visitors who displayed a current ORV permit on the driver’s side bumper of their vehicle and who carried the required equipment. ORV permits could be purchased at one of the following: VCS, Fee Booths, Headquarters; AINS Toms Cove Visitor Center; and during the summer months, the ORV Closure Booth.

The ORV Zone includes the north end of Assateague Island and four miles of the southern- most part of Chincoteague Refuge known as Toms Cove Hook. This area is also crucial nesting habitat for the threatened piping plover, which creates a closure of the last two and one half miles of the Hook from March 15 through August 31. The plovers were closely monitored, and the closure area began 200 meters north of the northern most active broad. An additional closure was warranted when the plovers migrated north of the previously determined closure area. For more details on the closures, please refer to the biological and law enforcement sections.

In April of 2002, the price for an ORV permit went from $60.00 to $70.00. The total number of permits sold by refuge staff was 395. A total of $27,530.00 in revenue was generated by the sale of ORV permits.

16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation

Assateague Island National Seashore was established in the 1960's, at which time a Memorandum of Understanding Interagency Agreement and/or General Agreement was adopted. This agreement has authorized the NPS to provide opportunities such as swimming, sun bathing, surfing, kite flying, volleyball, and other non-wildlife related activities in designated areas. These areas included approximately 5,500 feet of beach managed and maintained by the National Park Service, and two areas where campfires are allowed on a permit basis through the NPS.

90 17. Law Enforcement

During 2002, the law enforcement division was staffed primarily by one full-time refuge law enforcement officer, one collateral duty officer, and three seasonal officers. The refuge and AINS continued to operate under an Interagency Agreement, by which the NPS administered the public use area of Tom's Cove Hook. Based on the agreement, the National Park Service augmented the refuge law enforcement division by staffing Tom's Cove Hook with one full- time and one seasonal law enforcement rangers.

In addition, Chincoteague Refuge and AINS operated under a cooperative agreement with the Chincoteague Police Department. The cooperative agreement provided a communication link between the refuge law enforcement division and other law enforcement agencies and emergency services through the use of the Chincoteague Police Department's 9-1-1 dispatch center. The agreement facilitated direct liaison between refuge law enforcement officers in the field and assisting agencies resulting in enhanced communications and officer safety.

Administration and Training

Throughout 2002, Refuge Officers participated in various training sessions as both instructors and students. The following significant events occurred throughout the year:

• On April 3, SRO McGee and SROS Stotts represented the refuge at a meeting hosted by the Chincoteague Police Department. Chincoteague’s Town Manager was in attendance as well as representatives from the National Park Service and Chincoteague’s Town Council. Topics of discussion included dispatch protocol, jet ski regulations, and interpretive kiosks proposed by the refuge. The NPS proposed installing a repeater on the town’s antenna tower to enhance radio communications between the NPS, Chincoteague Refuge and Chincoteague Police Department.

Enforcement

In 2002, the refuge's law enforcement division responded to 1,590 incidents, resulting in the issuance of 1,236 verbal warnings, 149 violation notices, and 4 arrests. All of the arrests in 2002 were for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Six violation notices were issued for the illegal possession of controlled substances. In addition, the refuge’s law enforcement division responded to 183 calls for assistance. The following significant events occurred throughout the year:

In January, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection, including Virginia's migratory waterfowl hunt. The following significant events occurred:

91 • Throughout the month of January, during Virginia's waterfowl season, refuge officers conducted patrols to detect and deter violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act. Numerous violations were detected including, take without a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp in possession, take without a state hunting license in possession, and take without registering with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program.

• January 3-5, RO Willett assisted the Division of Law Enforcement as a member of a task force targeting illegal goose hunters on the upper shore of Maryland. The task force represented a joint enforcement effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

• January 3-18, during the refuge's big game firearm hunt, refuge officers investigated the unlawful take of three white-tailed deer, resulting in the issuance of three violation notices. In addition, refuge officers investigated a hunter for violating the terms and conditions of his hunt permit by possessing a loaded firearm within 50' of a roadway. The investigation resulted in the issuance of a verbal warning.

• January 20-28, SRO McGee was detailed to the Department of Interior Building in Washington D.C., to assist in a security detail for the Secretary. The detail occurred without incident.

During the month of February, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection. The following significant events occurred:

• On February 24, a refuge officer responded to a report of a wildfire burning adjacent to the visitor contact station. Upon arriving on scene, the refuge officer located a small pile of burned pine needles adjacent to the traffic island in the visitor contact station parking lot. During a subsequent investigation, two cigarette butts were found inside of the burned area, identifying the specific fire origin. A search of the specific fire origin failed to yield any other possible ignition sources.

In March, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection. The following significant events occurred:

• Throughout the month of March, refuge officers assisted in the posting of critical piping plover habitat and conducted routine patrols to detect and deter trespass into the critical plover nesting areas within the refuge.

During the month of April, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on the protection of piping plover habitat, the protection of marine resources, and the protection of visitors. The following significant events occurred:

92 • During April, refuge officers assisted in the posting of critical piping plover habitat and conducted routine patrols to detect and deter trespass into the critical plover nesting areas within the refuge.

• On April 8, refuge maintenance workers discovered that vandals had covered the floors of the comfort station at the visitor center with tree limbs and pine needles. The next day, on April 9, visitor center attendants discovered that their open/closed sign was missing. Total cost of repair of the comfort station and replacement of the sign was estimated at $100. Investigative efforts failed to recover the stolen property.

• On April 27, a refuge officer responded to multiple complaints received by the entrance station and visitor contact station of a vehicle driving recklessly in wanton disregard for the safety of visitors on the refuge. The complainants also related that the subjects were fighting on the beach and using abusive and insulting language in public near the visitor contact station. Upon arriving on scene at the entrance station, the officer was advised by the fee collector that the vehicle had departed the refuge. The fee collector further identified two white males walking on the roadway towards Assateague Bridge as occupants of the vehicle. Based on the fee collector’s statement, the officer initiated an investigatory stop. As the officer approached, the subjects continued walking towards the bridge, obstructing the outbound lane of traffic. The officer observed lacerations and contusions about the head and face of both subjects. Upon making contact with the subjects, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from their persons. Both subjects, under 21 years of age, admittedly had consumed alcohol earlier that day. A consensual search of the subjects yielded a small silver pipe containing marijuana residue. While conducting the field interview, the officer observed a vehicle, matching the description of the vehicle provided by the complainants, entering the refuge. The officer directed the vehicle to stop, identified the three occupants, and obtained consent from the registered owner to conduct a search of the vehicle. The search yielded approximately 26 marijuana seeds and an empty 12 pack of Natural Ice. Due to the totality of the circumstances, the registered owner, the initial subject contacted, was charged for possessing a controlled dangerous substance on a national wildlife refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal regulations, Section 27.82(b)2. Two minors and one adult, with blood alcohol concentrations in excess of .10%, were issued verbal warnings for underage possession of alcohol and aiding and abetting underage possession of alcohol, respectively. Case is closed pending forfeiture of collateral.

• On April 30, maintenance workers reported that Government license plates I158232 were stolen from the refuge’s 1997 Dodge Caravan while being serviced at Libertino’s Auto repair in Chincoteague, Virginia. The Chincoteague Police Department initiated an investigation with negative results. SRO McGee notified the Regional Office and the Department of Interior Watch Office. Chincoteague Police

93 Department entered the tags into the Virginia Criminal Information Network data base as stolen.

• On April 30, the refuge law enforcement division received a complaint alleging the unlawful take of Canada geese from a farm located in Maryland. The report was corroborated by a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries warden who received a similar report from an independent source. The game warden related that he referred the case to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for investigation.

In May, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection with emphasis on the protection of piping plover habitat. In preparation for the arrival of the piping plover, refuge officers posted critical plover habitat throughout the refuge. Signs prohibiting boat landings were posted along the shore of Tom's Cove to deter trespass into the plover nesting area. The following significant events occurred during May:

• On May 17, a visitor was detained pursuant to an investigatory stop for operating a motor vehicle carelessly in wanton disregard for the safety of visitors and wildlife on the refuge. During contact with the driver, the investigating refuge officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from about the visitor's person. After failing a battery of field sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The visitor was transported to the Chincoteague Police Department where a chemical breath test was administered. Test results indicated that the visitor's blood alcohol concentration was .20 grams per 210 liters of breath (.20%). Further investigation revealed that the visitor’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle had been suspended due to two prior DUI convictions. Subsequently, the visitor was charged for careless operation of a motor vehicle on a national wildlife refuge, operating a motor vehicle on a national wildlife refuge while under the influence of alcohol, and operating a motor vehicle on a national wildlife refuge without a valid license in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 27.31(c), 27.31(b), and 27.31(g), respectively.

• On May 24, a visitor summoned the assistance of a refuge officer in locating their car keys which they reportedly had lost on the Lighthouse Trail. Upon assisting the visitor locate his keys, the officer escorted the visitor back to his vehicle. During conversation with the visitor, the officer observed a beer bottle top laying on the front passenger’s side floorboard. The officer, after ascertaining from the visitor that the vehicle did not contain any alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, nor weapons, obtained consent to search the vehicle. The search yielded a small wooden box containing marijuana residue, a pipe containing marijuana residue, and a pack of rolling papers. Subsequently, the visitor was charged for possessing a controlled substance on a national wildlife refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.82(b)2.

94 During the month of June, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection with special emphasis on the protection of piping plover habitat. Routine boat patrols of the lower islands and Toms Cove Hook were conducted to detect and deter unlawful activity that would have an adverse impact on piping plover nesting on the refuge. The following significant events occurred during June:

• On June 1, a refuge intern, while departing the piping plover nesting area, detected the pungent odor of burning vegetative material emanating from the off road vehicle zone. Based on the interns report, a plain clothes investigation was predicated. After deploying a refuge officer on the beach in plain clothes, another uniformed refuge officer, in a marked vehicle, commenced a series of fishing compliance checks of fishermen in the area where the pungent odor was detected. Looking for suspicious behavior upon the arrival of the marked unit, the officer in plain clothes observed the occupants of a vehicle parked adjacent to the plover closure stand up and expeditiously begin loading gear into their truck. The uniformed refuge officer approached the subjects, identified himself, and commenced a fishing compliance check. Upon completing the fishing compliance check, the uniformed refuge officer advised the subjects that he had received a complaint of a pungent odor of burning vegetative material emanating from the area. The operator of the vehicle appeared to become nervous and stated that his wife was diabetic and that they needed to leave. After ascertaining that the operator’s wife was feeling fine, the uniformed officer asked the operator if he was in possession of any controlled substances or illicit drugs. Subsequently, the operator surrendered a tin can from his vehicle containing approximately 6.6 grams of marijuana, 10 marijuana cigarette “roaches, 1 package of marijuana seeds, 1 marijuana cigarette, 2 pipes containing marijuana residue, 1 pack of rolling papers, 1 cigarette roller, 1 pack of pipe screens, and a pocket knife. Due to the totality of the circumstances, both subjects were charged for possessing a controlled substance on a national wildlife refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.82(b)2.

In July, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection with special emphasis on the protection of piping plover. Routine boat patrols of the lower islands and Tom's Cove Hook were conducted to detect and deter unlawful activity that would have an adverse impact on piping plover nesting on the refuge. The following significant events occurred during July:

• On July 5, refuge officers, while monitoring the entrance of the refuge for after hours trespass, initiated an investigatory stop after observing a vehicle entering the refuge. Upon stopping the vehicle, the operator was recognized as an intern who resided in Government housing within the refuge. During conversation with the intern, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the intern’s vehicle. Having admittedly consumed two alcoholic beverages earlier in the evening,

95 the intern was asked, for her safety and safety of wildlife on the refuge, to perform a battery of field sobriety tests to determine if her ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by the alcohol. The intern voluntarily consented to perform the tests. Based on the interns performance of the test and her inability to follow simple divided attention tasks, she was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle on a national wildlife refuge while under the influence of alcohol in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.31b. Subsequently, the intern was transported to the Chincoteague Police Department where a chemical breath test was administered. Test results indicated that the interns blood alcohol concentration was .11 grams per 210 liters of breath.

• On July 16, a refuge officer, while closing the refuge, observed two beach chairs and a plastic bag lying on the ground, unattended, near a campfire site on the protected beach of Tom’s Cove Hook. Upon returning to the parking lot in search of the owners of the chairs and bag, the refuge officer observed two individuals carrying plant material and wood walking towards the campfire site. The refuge officer identified himself and advised the visitors that the refuge was closing, that they could not collect plant material, dead or alive, without a permit, and that they could not have an open campfire without first obtaining a permit from the NPS. During conversation with the visitors, the officer observed that one of the visitors was smoking a cigar. Due to their youthful appearance, the officer asked the visitors their ages. After determining that both visitors were minors under the age of 18, the officer advised both juvenile subjects that, pursuant to Virginia state law, persons under 18 years of age are prohibited from possessing any tobacco products, including but not limited to cigars and cigarettes. A consensual search of the subjects’ persons for addition tobacco products yielded a pack of Swisher Sweets Cigars, a cigarette lighter, and a small pipe containing marijuana residue. A consensual search of the visitors’ vehicle was conducted and yielded a plastic containing approximately 6.7 grams of marijuana. Due to the totality of the circumstances, both juvenile subjects were charged for possessing a controlled dangerous substance on a national wildlife refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, section 27.82(b)2.

• On July 6, a refuge officer responded to a report of a group of people assembled in a closed area of the refuge near Assateague Bridge. Upon arriving on scene, the officer observed three Hispanic males and one Hispanic female fishing from the bank of Assateague Channel. Upon making contact with the subjects, one of the Hispanic males turned towards the officer exposing a silver and black gun in his left hand. As the subject attempted to conceal the weapon in his pants’ pocket, the officer instructed him to place the weapon on the ground. Upon securing the weapon, the officer requested back-up from the Chincoteague Police Department Dispatch Center. Officers from the Chincoteague Refuge, NPS, Chincoteague Police Department, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries responded to the scene. Subsequently, the weapon was identified as a Daisy pellet gun. The weapon, powered

96 by a CO2 cartridge, was loaded with “BB’s”. Reportedly, the subject was using the gun to shoot fish. Due to the totality of the circumstances, the subject was charged for possessing a non-firearm weapon on a national wildlife refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, section 27.43

During the month of August, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection with special emphasis on the protection of piping plover. The following significant events occurred during August:

• Throughout August, several interagency patrols were conducted in conjunction with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in an effort to obtain voluntary compliance with state recreational fishing regulations from visitors engaged in sport fishing on the refuge.

• On August 13, a refuge officer responded to a visitor’s complaint of a boat operating in the surf near the protected beach. Reportedly, the operator of the vessel hailed the visitor on the beach and asked for directions to Chincoteague Bay. Upon Arriving on scene, the investigating refuge officer observed the boat foundering in the surf. Within minutes, the boat was awash on the shore of the refuge. The Coast Guard was notified and, assisted by the NPS and the refuge, initiated a joint salvage operation. Subsequently, the boat was removed from the beach without incident.

In September, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection. Routine patrols of Wallops Island Refuge and the lower island divisions of Chincoteague Refuge were conducted to detect and deter violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during Virginia's migratory game bird season. The following significant events occurred during September:

• On September 8, the law enforcement division initiated an investigation into the unlawful take of two black skimmers (non-game migratory birds afforded protection under the auspices of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act) from a posted closed area of the refuge. The investigation revealed that a visitor entered a posted closed area of the off-road vehicle zone, closed specifically to protect unfledged black skimmer chicks that were feeding on the beach, to retrieve a tire he had reportedly lost the previous night. While departing the area, the visitor drove through a colony of black skimmers and ran over an unfledged chick that was unable to get out of the way of the vehicle. A refuge biologist witnessed the take and retrieved the dead chick. A search of the area revealed a second black skimmer chick found dead in a tire track that was partially washed out due to the flooding tide. Subsequently, the visitor was charged for trespassing in a posted closed area of the refuge in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal regulations, Section 26.21(a), and for taking a protected non-game migratory bird for which there is no open season in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Section 703.

97 • On September 22, Refuge officers, assisted by a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Game Warden, initiated an investigation into the unauthorized use of National Wildlife Refuge signs, bearing the blue goose symbol, on private property. The investigation revealed that the land owner was employed by the county landfill and that the signs were obtained from the landfill. The land owner voluntarily surrendered the signs and consented to a search of his property for additional signs bearing the blue goose. Upon being advised that the unauthorized use of a Government insignia is a violation of Federal law, the land owner agreed to return any other National Wildlife Refuge signs that he found on his property and further agreed to refrain from acquiring any new signs from the landfill.

• On September 28, two visitors were detected in a posted closed area of the refuge. A subsequent investigation revealed that the visitors were participating in an Internet based game entitled “Letter Boxing”. Literature, found in possession of the visitors, contained directions to a remote area of the refuge where a weather proof box was cached. The box contained a note pad and a rubber stamp. Reportedly, as letterbox enthusiast locate the box, they endorse the note pad with their stamp and then stamp their personal pad with the rubber stamp from the cached box as proof of their visit. The box is then re-packed and returned to its location. Subsequently the visitors were charged for trespassing on a National Wildlife Refuge in Violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 26.21.

During the month of October, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection including the refuge's sika archery hunt. The following significant events occurred during October:

• October 3 and 4, RO’s McGee and Smith were detailed to Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to assist with the refuge's deer hunt. During the 2 day detail, refuge officers deployed a deer decoy, resulting in the apprehension of a hunter that shot the decoy from the road before legal shooting hours by the aid of artificial light. In addition, three hunters were charged for possessing loaded firearms in their vehicles in violation of the terms and conditions of their hunt permit, two hunters were charged for failing to validate their big game harvest report cards after harvesting a deer, and one hunter was charged for possessing a controlled substance on a national wildlife refuge.

• On October 7, a visitor was detained pursuant to an investigatory stop for consuming an alcoholic beverage while operating a motor vehicle. During contact with the driver, the investigating refuge officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the visitor's person. After failing a battery of field sobriety tests, the driver was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Subsequently, the visitor was transported to the Chincoteague Police

98 Department where a chemical breath test was administered. Test results indicated that the visitor's blood alcohol concentration was .12 grams per 210 liters of breath (.12%). The visitor was charged for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and for operating a motor vehicle while possessing an open container of alcohol in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.31(b) and Section 27.31(a), respectively.

In November, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection including Virginia's migratory game bird season. The following significant events occurred during November:

• On November 1, a visitor was detained pursuant to an investigatory stop for operating a motor vehicle carelessly in wanton disregard for the safety of other visitors and wildlife on the refuge. During the investigatory stop, the investigating refuge officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the visitor's person. The visitor was administered a battery of field sobriety tests to determine if her ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by the alcohol. Subsequently, based on the totality of the circumstances, the driver was placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle carelessly in wanton disregard for the rights or safety of other persons and for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 27.31(b) and 27.31(c), respectively. The visitor was transported to the Chincoteague Police Department where a chemical breath test was administered. Test results indicated that the visitor's blood alcohol concentration was .15 grams per 210 liters of breath (.15%).

• On November 8, an investigation was predicated upon receipt of a report from A.L. Salinger, a subcontractor working on the HHBEAC, regarding a geothermal heat pump that was allegedly stolen from the construction site. Investigative efforts failed to locate the missing heat pump.

• On November 28, refuge officers, while conducting a special waterfowl enforcement patrol of Chincoteague Bay, initiated a hunter compliance check of two hunters in a blind on Cords Marsh. As the refuge officers approached, both hunters exited the blind. During the compliance check, one of the refuge officers inspected the blind and discovered, in plain view, a plastic bag containing a residual amount of marijuana. Both hunters were interviewed individually and provided corroborating statements indicating that the bag containing a residual amount of marijuana belonged to one of the hunters. When asked to retrieve the bag of marijuana from the blind, the hunter accepting responsibility for the bag and its contents, returned to the blind, lifted a floorboard, and retrieved a second plastic bag containing approximately .65 ounces of marijuana. During a subsequent search of the blind, five shot shells containing “00" buck lead shot were found concealed under the floorboards. Again, both hunters were interviewed individually and again provided corroborating

99 statements indicating that the buckshot belonged to them. Prior to departing the area, the investigating refuge officers inspected a second blind in the area where the hunters had admittedly been hunting. Upon entering the blind, the refuge officers observed, in plain view, a glove containing two shot shells containing #6 lead shot and five shot shells containing “00" buck lead shot. Once again, both hunters were interviewed individually and once again provided corroborating statements indicating that the buckshot belonged to them. Subsequently, both hunters were charged for attempting to take migratory waterfowl while possessing shot other than steel or such shot approved as nontoxic in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal regulations, section 20.21(j). State charges for possessing a controlled dangerous substance in violation of Title 18, Code of Virginia, Section 250.1 are pending.

During month of December, law enforcement efforts were concentrated on visitor and resource protection including the refuge's big game hunt and Virginia's migratory game bird season. The following significant events occurred during December:

• Throughout the month of December, during the refuge's big game firearm hunt, refuge officers investigated the unlawful take of three white-tailed deer and one sika. The investigations resulted in the issuance of four violation notices. Other violations,

including hunting outside designated areas, failing to register, and failing to field tag deer, were investigated and also resulted in the issuance of violation notices.

• On December 22, a refuge officer, while conducting a special waterfowl enforcement patrol of Queen’s Sound, observed a hunter take a non-game migratory bird for which

100 there is no open season; to wit, a common loon. The hunter, who was participating in a guided hunt for brant, related that he thought the loon was a brant. Subsequently, the hunter was charged for taking a protected non-game migratory bird for which there is no open season in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Section 703.

• On December 28, during Virginia’s migratory game bird hunting season, the refuge law enforcement division in conjunction with officers of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, conducted a multi-agency maritime patrol to detect and deter violations of federal and state laws. Although no violations were detected, multiple compliance checks were conducted.

• On December 28, a refuge officer, while conducting a special waterfowl enforcement patrol, observed two hunters in a blind on Assawoman Creek. Upon initiating a compliance check, each hunter was found in possession of a black duck and a hooded merganser which they admittedly had shot and killed. Further investigation revealed that one of the hunters was in possession of a “00" buck shot shell containing lead shot. The second hunter presented an invalidated Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp and, after consenting to a search of his outer garments and gear bag, was found in possession of ten “00" buck shot shells containing lead shot and a wooden stash box containing approximately .9 grams of marijuana and a pipe containing marijuana residue. Subsequently, both hunters were charged for taking protected migratory waterfowl while possessing shot other than steel or such shot approved as nontoxic in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 20.21(j). In addition, the second hunter was charged for taking protected migratory waterfowl with an invalidated Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp in violation of Title 16, United States Code, Section 718(b). State charges for possessing a controlled dangerous substance in violation of Title 18.2, Code of Virginia, Section 250.1 are pending.

• On December 31, Chincoteague Police Department received a report from a concerned citizen reporting an intoxicated fisherman on the ocean beach of the refuge. Reportedly, the fisherman was stumbling through the sand and wallowing in the surf. Upon arriving on scene, the investigating refuge officer observed the fisherman kneeling in the sand, holding a fishing rod, facing away from the water. After observing that the fisherman was exhibiting visual cues of intoxication, the refuge officer administered a preliminary breath test which indicate that the fisherman’s blood alcohol concentration was .15%. Based on the totality of the circumstances, the fisherman was charged for remaining on a national wildlife refuge while under the influence of alcohol to a degree that may endanger oneself or other persons or property in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.81. Subsequently, the fisherman was released from protective custody to a friend who removed him from the refuge.

101 Table 35: The following is a summary of 2002 law enforcement incidents:

INCIDENTS REPORTED WARNINGS N.O.V.'s ARREST

MBTA-TAKE WITHOUT A PERMIT 2

MBTA-TAKE NON-GAME BIRD 2 2

MBTA-POSSESS LEAD SHOT 5 1 4

MBTA-NO HIP NUMBER 7 7

MBTA-LICENSE NOT IN POSSESSION 2 2

MBHCSA-TAKE WITHOUT STAMP 1 1

MBHCSA-INVALIDATED DUCK STAMP 7 6 1

REFUGE HUNTING REGULATIONS 12 3 9

SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS 10 8

UNAUTHORIZED TAKE-WILDLIFE 6 6

DISTURB/COLLECT-PLANTS 7 7

DISTURB/HARASS WILDLIFE 68 67

SPOTLIGHTING 2 2

FIREARMS VIOLATION 1 1

POSSESS NON-FIREARM WEAPON 2 1 1

DISORDERLY CONDUCT 8 8

INTERFERENCE WITH EMPLOYEE 1 1

INTERFERENCE WITH PUBLIC 5 4

PUBLIC NUDITY 7 4 2

POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE 7 1 6

PUBLIC INTOXICATION 1 1

PUBLIC CONSUMPTION 15 14

DRINKING WHILE DRIVING 6 4 2

UNDERAGE POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL 4 2 2

AID/ABET UNDERAGE POSSESSION 1 1

UNDERAGE POSSESSION OF 11 TOBACCO

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED 4 4 4

CARELESS OPERATION 26 21 5

EXCESSIVE SPEED 300 229 71

IMPROPER PASS 1 1

102 INCIDENTS REPORTED WARNINGS N.O.V.'s ARREST OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC 37 33

IMPROPER PARKING 79 63 16

LICENSE INFRACTION 13 9 4

REGISTRATION VIOLATION 6 5 1

DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT 6 6

VIOLATE SAFETY REQUIREMENT 1 1

RADAR DETECTOR 1 1

SEATBELT-PASSENGER 18 18

SEATBELT-CHILD 11 11

AUDIO DISTURBANCE 11 11

CHILD RIDING IN BED OF PICKUP 71 71

MOTORCYCLE-NO HELMET 10 10

ORV VIOLATIONS 10 9 1

TRESPASS 478 471 7

UNAUTHORIZED BOAT LANDING 10 10

ROLLERBLADES/SKATES 32 31 1

PET ON REFUGE 30 26 2

TIMBER SET AFIRE 1

UNAUTHORIZED FIRE 2 2

POSSESS/DISCHARGE FIREWORKS 8 8

LARCENY-PRIVATE PROPERTY 2 1

LARCENY-PUBLIC PROPERTY 1

ABANDONED PROPERTY 1 1

DESTRUCT GOVERNMENT PROPERTY 5 2

SEARCH FOR OBJECTS OF VALUE 18 18

LITTERING 8 8

ENTRANCE FEE PROVISION 11 9

COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS 4 4

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF INSIGNIA 1 1

Table 36: Visitor assist and other services rendered in 2002:

NATURE OF ASSISTANCE ASSISTS

SEARCH AND RESCUE 27

103 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 31

MOTORIST ASSIST 67

VEHICLE EXTRICATION 32

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT 4

BICYCLE ACCIDENT 4

VISITOR TRANSPORT 14

RECOVERED LOST PROPERTY 4

18. Cooperating Associations

The Chincoteague Natural History Association (CNHA) had a phenomenal year with the organization’s gross sales reaching nearly $150,000.00. In FY2002, CNHA was able to provide the refuge with $42,000.00 in funds for the Wish List. The wish list funds included support for: hiring four public use interns; conducting special events; acquiring materials for the volunteer program and environmental educational programs; promoting the Refuge System’s Centennial; purchasing a table-top copier for the Visitor Center; and setting aside an additional $22,700.00 for the new HHBEAC exhibits.

In May, Business Manager Wendy Crawford resigned from CNHA. Wendy and her husband Barron, the former Refuge Manager of Prime Hook NWR, relocated to Tennessee NWR. Wendy was a true asset to CNHA and the refuge. Fortunately, Lynn Talbot was hired to replace Wendy. Lynn has done an outstanding job this past year for CNHA and the refuge.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the CNHA initiated operation of a wildlife trolley tour on the refuge. The tours were conducted by refuge volunteers and ran 7 days a week, 3 tours per day Memorial Day through Labor Day. Thanks to the many talented individuals who served as interpreters, especially Nancy Roberts, CNHA President, who conducted more than 80 tours, the tours were a success. By summer’s end, the CNHA had conducted nearly 300 wildlife tours for nearly 7,000 visitors. Unfortunately, the trolley used for the tours was not a big hit. Specifically, the air conditioning system in the vehicle malfunctioned many times during the summer, causing some passengers and volunteers major discomfort and cancellation of some tours. Nonetheless, most visitors took it all in stride and enjoyed the experience.

On September 5, RM Schroer met with CNHA Board Members of the CNHA to discuss how to resolve some of the challenges that were encountered with the wildlife tour during the

104 summer. RM Schroer indicated that any vehicle that was used in future ventures must be accessible. Furthermore, he encouraged the CNHA to continue its involvement in this operation.

On November 12, RM Schroer attended CNHA’s board meeting held at Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce in Melfa, Virginia. Nancy Roberts resigned as President of CNHA just prior to the meeting. Vice President Joyce Maher assumed the role as President. During the meeting the FY2003 Wish List was approved and the refuge was awarded the total amount of $50,000.00. This figure included $5,800.00 to be put in the “set aside” account for interpretive exhibits for the new visitor center. Thus far, CNHA has donated $100,000 to support the HHBEAC.

Looking back, CNHA made some major accomplishments in 2002 and their contributions to the refuge were awesome! CNHA deserves a lot of credit for their record breaking revenues and endeavors.

19. Concessions

The Assateague Island Tours’ contract was not renewed in 2001, therefore, no concession was operated on the refuge until CNHA initiated a pilot wildlife tour program for the summer of 2002. Please see the Cooperating Associations section for more information.

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

Although a contract was signed in December 2001, Mid Eastern Builders of Chesapeake, VA actually began construction of the HHBEAC in January 2002. Construction of this important facility continued throughout the year. Woopert Inc. of Virginia Beach, VA was contracted to conduct the daily inspections; they hired Jim Dayton as the on-site inspector. By year’s end the original completion date of February 9, 2003 has slipped to May 5, 2003. Despite many challenges associated with a construction project of this magnitude, the refuge staff remained excited and enthusiastic as they watched the building being erected.

The Butler Building Company had persistent questions and concerns regarding specifications for our new maintenance building, engaging refuge staff in discussions through February. The contract was finalized in June. Specifications included a 200 x 40 foot building, 13 garage doors, an indoor and outdoor wash rack, and recirculating oil-water separator. The total cost of the project was $376,951.00 Butler subcontracted the construction to Beauchamp Construction, Pocomoke, MD.

105 Construction of the Butler Building was due to be completed before the end of the fiscal year, but was not started until October. Maintenance staff initiated site preparations, by removing excess clay, bringing the site down to the same grade as the NPS shop building, and leveling and rolling the work site.

MW Collins noticed that the construction company was going to install 10, 10 foot wide doors, when the maintenance crew asked for 12 foot wide doors. In review of the contract, it was shown that 10 foot wide doors were specified. Contracting Officer Chris Murphy quickly did a change order. Instead of 10, 12 ft wide doors, we were able to alter the design to

accommodate 6, 10 ft wide doors and 2, 22 ft. wide doors. The contractors continually delayed work and demonstrated confusion over the placement of the plumbing and settling tanks for the oil/water separator, causing construction to drag on through the fall and early winter, 2002. The project completion date is now estimated to be sometime in winter 2003.

In support of the construction of the new HHBEAC and adjoining facilities, major refuge facilities were demolished in June as scheduled. MEB hired sub-contractors to demolish the refuge headquarters, sub headquarters, auditorium/biology/garage, and storage buildings. The maintenance crew made extensive springtime preparations in advance of the demolition. Refuge staff conducted a massive cleanup, resulting in several dumpster loads of junk. Maintenance staff removed unneeded materials, obsolete files and unserviceable equipment. MVO Marshall hauled numerous truckloads of materials to the local landfill. Some furniture was donated to the local high school.

Two 40 ft. storage containers were leased from Hale Trailer and placed along the service road to the maintenance area in March. Equipment and files anticipated to be required by the staff during the period without refuge buildings were stored there. The containers were designated for use by the Biology and Visitor Services Division.

106 2. Rehabilitation

Frantic endeavors were made to complete the reclamation of a FEMA trailer early in January to serve as a temporary Refuge Headquarters. The maintenance staff completed the lighting hookup; HEO Wilgus and MVO Marshall completed delivering filing cabinets via forklift even as the phone service was being installed. The Maintenance Crew smoothly, though with considerable muscle, moved the entire administrative staff and their belongings in one day.

Reclamation of a second, sub-Headquarters, FEMA trailer continued into February; the crew installed electricity, heat and improved lighting. A meeting was held with the personnel to be moved, and the staff conceived a plan for the distribution of offices within the very limited space available. The trailer was maneuvered into final position, leveled and anchored. All kitchen fixtures were removed. Additional electrical power strips were installed to support 12 desks. The sink and toilet were removed to accommodate a desk and safe for the fee collection staff.

Island Communications became a familiar site on the Refuge through the spring and summer as buildings were torn down and phone lines were routed to our the temporary office spaces in the trailers and maintenance building. Utility problems became the norm as contractors felling trees knocked out power, cut water lines, and, while routing new electrical power lines, cut Internet server communications.

During the spring, cleanup and removal of surveyed, official government equipment was started on Chincoteague. Examination of items stored for decades in the YCC camp building on Wallops NWR revealed a substantial volume of junk. The maintenance staff cleared these

107 materials out, and stored valuable files and property displaced by the impending demolition of Refuge office and storage facilities.

With considerably more effort this time, the entire maintenance crew moved the staff of the sub headquarters into the second FEMA trailer in June. SROS Stotts moved into the office space in the maintenance lunchroom.

3. Major Maintenance

During January, the crew conducted routine preventative maintenance on refuge vehicles and equipment. Shortly thereafter, MVO Marshall completed disking about 15 acres of the piping plover nesting area on the Hook, in preparation for the nesting season. Laborer Jones cleared pine needles off of the walking/bicycling trials and parking lots, while MW Collins raked the Woodland Trail, in preparation for springtime use.

HEO Wilgus dozed out a firebreak around the pile of stumps that had been grubbed up from the construction site. As burn boss, WB Ailes monitored the burning of the stumps.

The maintenance staff and others erected the tent for the ground breaking ceremony on January 26. This was the last time the site between the sub headquarters and auditorium would be used for such activities before demolition. The maintenance Crew manufactured special “gold plated” shovels, designed a box, and collected local soils for the ceremony. Afterwards the soils were returned to the landscape.

In February, the maintenance staff opened the water control structure on the North Wash Flats to start the spring drawdown in preparation for the piping plover nesting season. Unlike recent years, drought conditions had persisted through the winter. It was suspected that auxiliary pumping would not be necessary this year. However, in March limited rainfall was sufficient to inundate portions of the flats, and the crew installed the Gator Pump in the North Wash Flats. HEO Wilgus, along with Laborer Jones and MW Collins, maintained the pump in North Wash Flats intermittently from March through June, for a total of 980 hours, to facilitate piping plover nesting.

Service Elderhostel was held in March. Maintenance assisted the Elderhostel participants in conducting a variety of refuge projects, including timber stand improvement, limb removal, pony and predator fence maintenance, replacement of the Marsh Trail overlook, and filling and packing the numerous holes in the Woodland Trail with stone-sand. Plans to mulch the pine trees thinned from the Wildlife Loop were cut short due to our inability to locate a suitable chipper for rent.

In March and November, MVO Marshall conducted approximately 30 hours of Hydro-axe operation time removing trees and brush along roads, dikes and fence lines. The area between the new HHBEAC and A Pool was opened up to increase the view and enhance Delmarva fox

108 squirrel habitat. Concurrently in November, EEO Wilgus dozed and root raked a perimeter around the falcon tower in the North Wash Flats to reduce predation pressure on the falcons by great horned owls.

Prior to use of the EE trail in April, TO Swartz, Laborer Jones, MW Collins and HEO Wilgus installed a Romtec toilet at the entrance of the trail.

In April, HEO Wilgus and TO Swartz outfitted and tested the 16’ jon boat for Ruth Boetcher, VADGIF, who was assisting the refuge in a cooperative piping plover monitoring project on Metomkin and Cedar Islands.

In May, the maintenance crew prepared for the IMBC, by assisting in facility preparation, and constructing dozens of bird house kits for budding young conservationists to put together. The crew also erected the big tent in the parking lot of the “big house”, to house demonstrations and exhibits.

In June, the maintenance staff erected the “big tent” on the beach for an AINS event. The AINS wished to have an area set up for the dedication of their new bath houses and solar power system. Unfortunately, the night before the event a tremendous thunderstorm collapsed the tent. AINS was forced to hold their event under the open sunshine instead. Though the steel supporting structure of the tent was snapped in places, the structure was salvageable for future use.

The refuge hosted a YCC program over the summer. The YCC’s devoted the majority of their time to replacing/patching a mile of pony exclusion fence around the north wash flats. The young conservationists also spent several afternoons washing vehicles, cutting invasive

autumn olive trees along Beach Road and repairing/replacing wood duck boxes, see personnel section for more details.

109 In August John Guiel, Manager Safety and Health Officer, spent an afternoon inspecting the facilities. His primary concern was for electrical deficiencies in the residences and maintenance shop, particularly a lack of GFCI circuits. Fortunately, sufficient EOY funds were available to cover the required modifications. Elvie’s Electric made the repairs, and also installed garage door openers in the 3-door maintenance building, see safety section for more information.

Drought conditions persisted throughout the growing season. Little effort was put into mowing the roadsides over the growing season. Drought conditions were sufficiently bad that clearing of fire breaks and a controlled, research burn in the White Hills was postponed until the following spring. The drought was so severe that holes dug years ago to supply water to the ponies went dry. MW Collins and HEO Wilgus dug these holes more deeply, in some cases as much as an extra 5’ feet, to reach adequate ground water. Ironically, high levels of rainfall in the fall squelched the planned installation of the new water control structure at Wills Hole.

In September, the annual beach cleanup went very smoothly. Wood debris dominated the trash but less was collected than in previous years. Nearly seven tons of trash was removed. During this same month, the maintenance crew set up the Big Tent in the vacant downtown lot for the celebration of Weekend of the Islands. The Town of Chincoteague assisted in the tent preparation, and the weekend events were well-attended.

Also in September, TO Swartz, MVO Marshall, MW Collins and HEO Wilgus constructed the base platform for a second Romtec toilet. This unit was installed on the Wildlife Loop in the eastern overlook parking lot.

October found the refuge without the usual site for holding the National Wildlife Refuge Week event. Numerous refuge staff prepared for the NWR Week celebration including, but not limited to: HEO Wilgus, MVO Marshall, TO Swartz, MW Collins, Laborer Jones, and SROS Stotts They put up the big tent, set up tables and chairs, and executed tent/chair removal and cleanup of the area.

The parking area at the “big house” had served well in the past and did so again. The Clark forklift proved finicky, making the breakdown of the tent difficult, but the Maintenance Crew managed the task.aintenance staff and volunteers prepared for the fall Service Elderhostel in October. Accomplishments included inventory and purchase of materials; cleanup of facilities; planning, support and guidance in the construction of tree swallow nest boxes; timber stand improvement, removal and chipping of pine trees and branches along the Light House Trail, Black Duck Trail and Wildlife Loop; hauling and spreading of chipped mulch along the Light House and EE Trails, installing a deck railing and bench on the maintenance loading dock, and clearing of vegetation and removal of old fencing around the pony compartments. Volunteer Nelson Babcock was welcomed back for three weeks this fall and served as a crew leader in nest box construction.

110 Clearing pine needles from the parking lots, and especially the Woodland trail has been accomplished in past years using a rake mounted on the 3-point hitch of the John Deere. This method has always resulted in damaged pavement when the rake grabs an edge or chunk heaved by undermining root systems. In November the new “Buffalo Turbine” arrived. This apparatus is a tractor mounted blower driven by the PTO. The direction and angle of the air flow can be controlled from inside the cab. MVO Marshall and TO Swartz put it to the test and were very pleased with its performance.

4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

In January, Don Ward from Standard Equipment Co. consulted with MVO Marshall and SROS Stotts on the purchase of a new backhoe loader. Consultations with the John Deere Co. on the backhoe were completed in February. The proposed specifications were faxed to Steve Flanders for Regional comment and approval. The new 2002, 410G John Deere backhoe loader (Property Number 590237) was received in June. MMS funds paid the cost of $76,698.87.

The 1991 Suburban (Property Number 584505) sold in March for $3,358.00. The original purchase price was $19,752.

A Model GX 335 John Deere lawn tractor was purchased in March for $5,547.00. In July, Eastern Shore NWR conducted a swap of their 1992 Ford Tempo (Property Number 577638) with Chincoteague NWR’s 1990 Chevy Corsica (Property Number 571766). The Tempo was considered more roadworthy and was retained in the Refuge fleet. The Corsica sold in October for $700.00.

In September, the refuge had enough end-of-year money to cover the purchase of a new trailer for the Skimmer, a refuge work boat. Cost of repair of corroded components was nearly as high as a full trailer replacement.

The 100 HP Mercury outboard motor was removed from the 17 foot whaler and replaced with a new 4-stroke 120 HP Mercury in September. The old engine was in good running order and was transferred to Eastern Virginia Rivers NWR for use on their pontoon boat.

The old in-ground auto lift was, at best, considered difficult to use, not designed for some vehicles; and at worst, possibly a safety issue. This unit was removed from the maintenance shop in October and replaced with a 4-post, above ground Rotary lift.

The Refuge received shipment of equipment purchased by DU for water management in the North Wash Flats and B Pool South. The equipment includes; aluminum culverts; 2 pumps, one with an attached electric drive motor; the other with a PTO drive and trailer mounted diesel engine; and necessary controls and hardware. Endeavors to locate contractors interested in installing the pump systems have been frustrating. As of the end of 2002, three contractors had submitted bids ranging from $47,670 - $72,300 to install both pumps. In December, GSA indicated the 1981, 500C John Deere backhoe loader (Property Number

111 553243) was to be put up for sale. Photographs of the backhoe were emailed to GSA.

5. Computer Systems

In late March, the internet ban was lifted allowing employees to reconnect to the outside world. The four month ban was a huge reminder as to how important Information Technology has become.

In September, the refuge joined in on a region-wide consolidated purchase order to obtain a new Laptop that replaced the one stolen in 2001. The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1.7GHz, 256 MB, with Windows XP operating system and was the only computer system purchased this past year.

6. Energy Conservation

Many energy saving technologies are planned for the new HHBEAC. These include: low energy lighting; natural lighting and ventilation; geothermal heating and air conditioning; and wetlands created for gray water recycling. In the meantime, the refuge is saving energy by operating in temporary quarters less than one-half the size of the old refuge quarters.

7. Other

Laborer Jones, TO Swartz, MVO Marshall and SROS Stotts attended the combined Project Leader/Wage Grade meeting held in Auburn, N.Y. in November. The four staff members attended as series of sessions highlighting a several interests and concerns of wage grade professionals, including: budgeting, MMS, SAMMS, training, career mobility, water control structures, and safety issues such as chain saw handling techniques.

In April, TO Swartz, Laborer Jones, MVO Marshall and SROS Stotts initiated vaccinations or received boosters, as needed, for tetanus, hepatitis A+B and rabies.

J. OTHER ITEMS

3. Items of Interest

On April 20, Manager Schroer served as a judge at the Eastern Shore Community College. Local schools were conducting a science fair.

On June 7, a number of refuge employees attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Seashore’s sustainable beach facility design. Unfortunately, the refuge’s tent which was to be used was heavily damaged by a thunderstorm that came through the night before. On June 29, Manager Schroer and Superintend Hill attended a meeting of the AFMSF to

112 receive certificates for assisting with the Special Event of Special People which was held on June 1. Besides the certificates, both were bombarded with questions about the plover closures and beach management. The questions were coming not from Federation members but from others.

On August 12, Phil Staniszewski, Prime Media, Inc, was on the refuge to take video footage of refuge bicyclist to put together a video that promotes safe bicycling. The video is a cooperative effort produced by the Town of Chincoteague’s Bicycling and Outdoor Recreational Committee and the County of Accomack that will be displayed on the local channel 9.

On September 6, Regional Refuge Chief Tony Leger visited the refuge. The main purpose of the visit was to review the progress on the HHBEAC. In addition, he took the time to visit with staff members and get a brief tour of the refuge.

On September 9, Jay Charland visited with Manager Schroer to discuss the newly formed Coast Keepers program which is sponsored by the Assateague Coastal Trust.

4. Credits

Photography: Roster, Reagan, Michael Kulynycz, Dorothy Camagna

Sections: Employee

Table of Contents Fair 1. Highlights Roster 2. Climatic Conditions Ailes, Penn 3. Land Acquisition Schroer 4. Planning Ailes, Penn, Roster, Schroer 5. Administration Ailes, Bowden, Merritt, Mireles, Roster, Schroer 6. Habitat Management Ailes 7. Wildlife Avery, Penn, 8. Public Use Bowden, McGee, McGuire, Stotts, Tracy, Van Scoyoc 9. Equipment and Facilities Mills, Stotts 10. Other Items Roster 11. Feedback Schroer

113 K. FEEDBACK

The year 2002 was one of excitement and anticipation as the construction of the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center began and continued during the year. This fact probably is the key to the staff being very content and productive despite being displaced from their offices and forced into two small trailers. Watching the buildings go up made it all the more worthwhile. The proposed opening date was a moving target the entire year, as the proposed February 9, 2003 date was pushed further and further away. At the end of the year, the proposed date had slid to May 13, 2003.

The exhibit fabrication process was initiated in May, as a company from New Jersey was awarded the contract. This project also saw some bumps along the way. The biggest “bump” was the realization in mid-December that the company was not going to finish the job. They were terminated for default in early January 2003, forcing the completion date for the exhibits to September 2003.

This project was a major undertaking for many people and for many years. An Interpretive Plan completed in 1969 called for the building of a visitor facility to accommodate the needs of the over 500,000 annual visits to the refuge at that time. As visitation increased and actually nearly tripled the 1969 figures, several attempts were made to make this vision a reality. Unfortunately, all of these attempts fell short. With the completion of the station’s Master Plan in late 1993, another attempt was begun and gained great momentum during 1998 and 1999. The new vision was dubbed the “Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center” in the FY 2001 Appropriation Act. With tremendous support from both the Regional and Central Offices of the Service, $1 million in planning funds were provided in FY 2000 and $3.492 million in construction funds in FY 2001 and $3.5 million in FY 2002; in addition, Congressman Bateman was able to acquire an additional $1 million in FY 2000 from the Department of Transportation, with an additional $435,000 coming from that source in FY 2001 and $1.305 million in FY 2002. The Commonwealth of Virginia also provided $250,000 towards the educational components of the facility. After more that 30 years of planning and dreaming, the facility will become a reality during the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the 60th anniversary of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

114 INTRODUCTION

The Assawoman, Metompkin and Cedar Island Divisions of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are located on barrier islands south of Assateague Island (see map). All Divisions are located in Accomack County.

The Assawoman Island Division (1,435 acres) was acquired fee title by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on April 10, 1990. One hundred sixty-four (164) acres were donated by the sellers. The Metompkin Island Division is owned and protected as a nature preserve by The Nature Conservancy. The Cedar Island Division consists of over 1,300 acres of mainly salt marsh located on the north end of the island and 600 acres of conservation easements scattered throughout the island.

The Cedar Island Division properties were initially donated to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation by Ben D. and Elizabeth Benson. On November 9, 1987, these properties were leased by the Foundation to the Fish and Wildlife Service and on March 1, 1989, were officially deeded to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Cedar Island has a diversity of ownership and use. In all, over 60 landowners exist on the island, most of whom own relatively small (3-5 acre) parcels. This island is the most developed of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Coastal chain. Most of the northern section of the island has been subdivided. Over twelve residences have been erected on the northern part of the island since 1985; most of which have been claimed by the ocean. Approximately 20 smaller cottages, existing since the 1950's, were in place in the late 1980's. All are now gone die to the island’s migration. An abandoned Coast Guard station is located at the northern part of the island. This facility is owned by a hunting club known as the Folly Creek Corporation. The Corporation also has hunting rights on approximately 1,300 acres of marshland, most of which is within the Cedar Island Division.

These Divisions were acquired to provide habitat protection for dwindling populations of waterfowl and the threatened piping plover, a beach-nesting shorebird. The state endangered Wilson’s plover also nests on the division beaches.

115 116 117 INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS ...... 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 1

C. LAND ACQUISITION...... 1

1. Fee Title...... 1 2. Easements...... Nothing to Report 3. Other...... Nothing to Report

D. PLANNING...... 1

1. Master Planning...... Nothing to Report 2. Management Plans...... Nothing to Report 3. Public Involvement...... 1 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates.... Nothing to Report 5. Research and Investigations ...... Nothing to Report 6. Other...... Nothing to Report

E. ADMINISTRATION ...... 2

1. Personnel ...... Nothing to Report 2. Youth Programs...... Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program ...... Nothing to Report 5. Funding...... Nothing to Report 6. Safety...... Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance ...... Nothing to Report 8. Other...... Nothing to Report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT...... 2

1. General ...... Nothing to Report 2. Wetlands...... Nothing to Report 3. Forest ...... Nothing to Report 4. Croplands...... Nothing to Report 5. Grasslands ...... Nothing to Report 6. Other Habitat ...... Nothing to Report 7. Grazing ...... Nothing to Report 8. Haying ...... Nothing to Report

i 9. Fire Management ...... Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control...... Nothing to Report 11. Water Rights ...... Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas...... Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring...... Nothing to Report

G. WILDLIFE ...... 2

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ...... 2 3. Waterfowl ...... 4 4. Marsh and Wading Birds ...... 5 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ...... 5 6. Raptors ...... 5 7. Other Migratory Birds...... Nothing to Report 8. Game Mammals...... Nothing to Report 9. Marine Mammals...... Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... Nothing to Report 11. Fisheries Resources...... Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking...... Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...... Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections...... Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control ...... 5 16. Marking and Banding...... Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control...... Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE...... 6

1. General...... Nothing to Report 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students ...... Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers...... Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs...... Nothing to Report 8. Hunting ...... 6 9. Fishing...... Nothing to Report 10. Trapping...... Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation...... Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Activities...... Nothing to Report 13. Camping...... Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking ...... Nothing to Report 15. Off Road Vehicling...... Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation...... Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement...... 7

ii 18. Cooperating Associations...... Nothing to Report 19. Concessions...... Nothing to Report

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ...... 7

1. New Construction...... Nothing to Report 2. Rehabilitation ...... Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance...... Nothing to Report 4. Equipment and Utilization...... Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems ...... Nothing to Report 6. Computer Systems...... Nothing to Report 7. Other...... Nothing to Report

J. OTHER ITEMS ...... 7

1. Cooperative Programs ...... Nothing to Report 2. Other Economic Use...... Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest...... Nothing to Report 4. Credits ...... Nothing to Report

iii B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Weather conditions on the Lower Islands (Assawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar Islands) are similar enough to conditions on Assateague Island that climatological data were used for this area (See Chincoteague NWR narrative section B).

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

Although no funding was available, acquisition of Cedar Island continued with activities associated with donations and maintaining a list of willing sellers. Inquiries from landowners who were interested in either selling or donating their property were forwarded to the regional office.

Although the Service had been offered a number of lots as donations and for sale, the Service could not react due to outstanding hunting rights. RM Schroer worked during the year on an agreement with The Nature Conservancy(TNC). The agreement, when finalized in 2003, will have TNC accept donations which could be transferred to the refuge at a later date. TNC also agreed to pursue the purchase of other lots on Cedar Island, using funding received in 2002 from a North American Wetland Conservation Act grant proposal. These lots were acquired by TNC late in the calendar year.

D. PLANNING

1 3. Public Involvement

Community Leaders and Partners Meetings:

Although the Community Leaders and Partners Meetings normally concern issues related to the Assateague Island portion of the Chincoteague Refuge, several topics pertained to the Southern Island Divisions. These areas of discussion included: the placement of informational kiosks near the boat ramps leading to Assawoman and Metompkin Islands; the Service’s acquisition plan for the remainder of Cedar Island; and the public use policies, especially during the piping plover season, on all of the Southern Island Divisions.

E. ADMINISTRATION 4. Volunteer Program

Interns:

Two interns Rebecca Smith and Katherine Gusmano (May 20 to August 7) were hired with station funds, but through an agreement with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VADGIF), assisted VADGIF in monitoring Cedar and other islands for piping plover and other beach nesting birds.

G. WILDLIFE

2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species

Two federally threatened species, the Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle and the piping plover, frequent the Southern Island Divisions of the refuge. Also found occasionally are bald eagles and the formally endangered peregrine falcon. Two state listed species, the Wilson's plover (endangered) and the least tern (threatened), also use the islands. Because the islands support protected species, public access in nesting areas is restricted during the breeding period (March through August).

Nest distribution and production surveys were monitored by refuge staff for Wallops and Assawoman Islands and on north Metompkin and Cedar Islands by Biologist Boettcher, under an agreement with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because the Service has ownership of only the extreme northern end of Metompkin, information for species which use the northern end only is reported.

2 Loggerhead turtles infrequently nest on the southern islands; however, no nests were documented this year. Four dead loggerhead turtles were reported this year on Assawoman Island, but none on Metompkin Island. Refuge staff took measurements and the carcasses were buried on site.

Southern Island management of the piping plover continued to have mixed success. Overall piping plover productivity decreased in 2002 on Assawoman Island.

Monitoring of the Southern Island units continued this year with a cooperative agreement between the VDGIF and the FWS. During the summer months, Commonwealth of Virginia biologists, biological technicians along with refuge interns, conducted periodic surveys on breeding success of plovers on the barrier islands of Metompkin and Cedar. Monitoring of Assawoman and Wallops Islands was conducted by refuge staff. A five year summary of piping plover productivity on Assawoman Island follows. Table 1: Five Year Summary of Piping Plover Production on Assawoman Island.

Year Nests Nesting Total Eggs Hatching Chicks Fledglings / Pairs Eggs Hatched Success Fledged Nesting Pair % 1998 9 8 34 31 91 7 0.87 1999 12 12 46 46 100 20 1.66 2000 16 16 62 62 100 31 1.94 2001 26 23 101 89 88 37 1.61 2002 26 23 92 71 77 26 1.13

Surveys of Assawoman and Wallops Islands began on May 5 and concluded with the last fledged chicks on August 10. Surveys were conducted five days per week. A total of 26 nesting attempts were made by piping plovers this year on Assawoman with three nest losses. No piping plovers nested on Wallops Island this year.

Chick mortality increased five percent in 2002 on Assawoman Island. A direct link to avian predation was confirmed when a red-tailed hawk was observed taking a one day old piping plover chick feeding at the ocean intertidal zone. Crow and grackle activity also appeared to increase in the primary nesting areas during 2002. Although no gull predation on plover chicks was confirmed in 2002, a laughing gull was observed attempting to take a 13 day old plover chick feeding in the ocean intertidal zone. The gull was removed before it could take the chick. In addition, gull activity appeared to be fairly regular and constant during the brood season. A young of the year peregrine falcon was also observed diving at a possible prey item at the ocean intertidal zone late in the season. It is assumed a peregrine falcon will only take birds in flight; however, young peregrine falcons may take prey however they find it. Several other raptor species, including northern harriers and bald eagles were observed hunting or

3 loafing in the primary plover nesting areas during the 2002 nesting season.

Table 2 provides a summary of this year's productivity data for the refuge. The fledgling success on Southern Islands resulted in an overall total of 45 chicks fledged, or 1.02 chicks fledged/nesting pair.

Table 2: Piping Plover Productivity on Southern Island Division Lands, Summer 20021.

ISLAND NO. PAIRS % OF ISLAND CHICKS CHICKS FLEDGED/ POPULATION FLEDGED NESTING PAIR

Wallops 0 0 0 0.00 Assawoman 23 100 26 1.13 Metompkin 4 12 2 0.50 Cedar 17 100 17 1.00

Total 44 ------45 1.02

The Southern tip of Assawoman Island was posted with closed area signs placed near the high tide line. Day use recreation of the intertidal zone was permitted with restrictions on pets, overnight camping, campfires, and consumption of alcohol. Due to several violations by visitors walking past the closed area signs through the nesting area, the entire island was closed to all public use on June 18. In one instance, two people walked within two feet of crushing a piping plover nest. The north tip of Metompkin Island was also posted with closed area signs to deter visitors from crossing the dunes into the nesting area.

Wallops Island had no nesting pairs of piping plovers this year. One pair of oystercatchers and one pair of Wilson’s plovers nested on Wallops Island this year. Neither pair was successful in fledging any young in 2002.

Also observed nesting on Assawoman Island were Wilson’s plovers, American oystercatchers, least terns, common terns, gull-billed terns, willets, common terns, black skimmers, and gull- billed terns. The population of Wilson’s plovers increased to 15 pairs and the productivity

1 Data provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Non-Game Division for the Islands of Metompkin and Cedar.

4 remained the same as 2001 with 1.5 chicks fledged/nesting pair. American oystercatchers and least terns also had a good year on Assawoman Island this year. American oystercatchers had 13 pair and produced 1.2 chicks/pair and least terns produced 1.3 chicks/pair. No data were collected on willet production in 2002, although several nests were found. A total of 12 pairs of common terns nested on Assawoman Island in 2002, producing 12 chicks. One pair of gull-billed terns and two pairs of black skimmers attempted to nest on the south end of the island but were unsuccessful in fledging any chicks.

3. Waterfowl

Aerial surveys conducted in past years provided an estimate of the use of the islands. Due to budget constraints, no surveys were conducted this year. In previous years, surveys indicated that during the fall and winter months small numbers of black duck, mallard, and bufflehead use the creeks and bays adjacent to the islands. Some black duck production is presumed to occur in the adjacent salt marshes, but no data are available.

4. Marsh and Water Birds

Several species of marsh and wading birds can be seen on the island. Snowy and great egrets, tricolored herons, and glossy ibis are the most common species observed. Great blue herons are also found on the area during the winter months. No official population surveys were conducted this year.

5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species

Thirty species of shorebirds are known to occur on these units. Dunlin, sanderling, semipalmated, western, and least sandpipers, and red knots are the most abundant species. Also fairly common were dowitchers, semipalmated plover, laughing and ring-billed gulls. Willets, piping and Wilson's plovers, least terns, and American oystercatchers are the species that are known to nest on the island.

6. Raptors

Several raptor species were common sites on Assawoman Island during the summer. One adult and one juvenile bald eagle were often sited on the island throughout the summer. Also documented were a pair of peregrine falcons hunting the marsh flats and beach. A red-tailed hawk was observed taking a one day old piping plover chick feeding in the ocean intertidal zone in late July. The chick was feeding alone at the surf edge when the hawk swooped down and grabbed the chick. The adult plover was still incubating an egg in a nearby nest and was too late arriving to defend the chick. One pair of osprey nested on a platform adjacent to

5 Assawoman Island and fledged two chicks.

15 Animal Control

In March, April, and May, fox den surveys were conducted on the south end of Wallops Island and the north end of Assawoman Island. Due to evidence of several red fox’s hunting in the piping plover nesting area, a combined effort between FWS and USDA personnel to trap the animals was initiated in early March. A total of six adult red fox and eighteen raccoons were removed from the south end of Wallops and the north end Assawoman Islands in 2002. A predator fence was again constructed on the north end of Assawoman to deter fox movement onto Assawoman. As a result of the combined effort, no red fox activity was observed near the piping plover nesting areas on Assawoman Island. Avian predator control efforts were increased along with the increased trapping effort to remove problem red foxes.

Table 3: Predators Removed from Assawoman Island 2002.

SPECIES March April May June July Total

Red fox 1110 03 Raccoon 1000 01 Laughing Gull 001421255 Herring Gull 0016748116 Black Back Gull 0005 49 Grackle 0003 03 Crow 0000 00

Total 2 1 3 117 64 187

H. PUBLIC USE

8. Hunting

Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Assawoman and Metompkin Islands Division. Hunters are required to obtain a permit with a maximum of 15 hunters allowed per day.

6 Table 4: Hunting Permits

MIGRATORY AND GAME BIRDS - PUBLIC HUNT Number of Permits Assawoman and Metompkin Islands Waterfowl Rail January 16 0 November 10 0 December 80

Total 34 0

17. Law Enforcement

Throughout 2002, routine law enforcement patrols of Assawoman Island and Metompkin Island were conducted. In May, the law enforcement staff assisted by members of the biology staff posted piping plover breeding grounds on Assawoman and Metompkin Islands. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, routine patrols of the lower islands were made to provide resource and visitor protection; however, because Assawoman and Metompkin Islands are accessible for public use only by boat, the visitation was relatively low and enforcement actions minimal. Preventive law enforcement coupled with public education proved to be an effective enforcement technique on Assawoman and Metompkin Islands. The following significant events occurred:

• During Virginia's waterfowl season, routine law enforcement patrols were conducted in the vicinity of Assawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar Islands to detect and suppress Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations.

7 • On August 5, 2002, SROs McGee and RO Penn conducted a preliminary investigation of alleged violations of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Barrier Island Policy on the Cedar Island Division of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Reportedly, a developer had conveyed access to an “exclusive” beach on Cedar Island to land owners in his development. The preliminary investigation revealed that the developer had been accessing a privately owned tract of land by vehicle in violation of the Barrier Island Policy. During the preliminary investigation, tire tracks were found within 30 meters of a piping plover’s nest.

INTRODUCTION

The Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge was created on July 10, 1975 when 373 acres of land were transferred to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Wallops Flight Center. The refuge, comprised mainly of salt marsh and woodlands, is located east of Wattsville in Accomack County, Virginia and contains habitat for waterfowl, primarily black ducks. This refuge is managed as a satellite of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

In addition, the addition, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which allows the Service to use Wallops Island on a non-interference basis for research and management of wildlife species in special need of protection because of their diminishing numbers. Wallops Island is 3,000 acres of primarily salt marsh located south of Assateague Island in Accomack County, Virginia.

8 INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. HIGHLIGHTS...... 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ...... 1

C. LAND ACQUISITION...... 1

1. Fee Title ...... Nothing to Report 2. Easements...... Nothing to Report 3. Other...... Nothing to Report

D. PLANNING...... 1

1. Master Planning...... Nothing to Report 2. Management Plans...... 1 3. Public Involvement...... 1 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates.... Nothing to Report 5. Research and Investigations ...... Nothing to Report 6. Other...... 1

E. ADMINISTRATION ...... 2

1. Personnel ...... Nothing to Report 2. Youth Programs...... Nothing to Report 3. Other Manpower Programs ...... Nothing to Report 4. Volunteer Program ...... 2 5. Funding...... Nothing to Report 6. Safety...... Nothing to Report 7. Technical Assistance ...... Nothing to Report 8. Other...... Nothing to Report

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT...... 2

1. General ...... Nothing to Report 2. Wetlands...... Nothing to Report 3. Forest ...... Nothing to Report 4. Croplands...... Nothing to Report 5. Grasslands ...... Nothing to Report

i 6. Other Habitat...... Nothing to Report 7. Grazing...... Nothing to Report 8. Haying...... Nothing to Report 9. Fire Management ...... Nothing to Report 10. Pest Control...... Nothing to Report 11. Water Rights ...... Nothing to Report 12. Wilderness and Special Areas...... Nothing to Report 13. WPA Easement Monitoring...... Nothing to Report

G. WILDLIFE ...... 2

1. Wildlife Diversity ...... Nothing to Report 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species ...... Nothing to Report 3. Waterfowl ...... Nothing to Report 4. Marsh and Wading Birds ...... Nothing to Report 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species ...... Nothing to Report 6. Raptors ...... Nothing to Report 7. Other Migratory Birds...... Nothing to Report 8. Game Mammals...... 2 9. Marine Mammals...... Nothing to Report 10. Other Resident Wildlife ...... Nothing to Report 11. Fisheries Resources...... Nothing to Report 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking...... Nothing to Report 13. Surplus Animal Disposal ...... Nothing to Report 14. Scientific Collections...... Nothing to Report 15. Animal Control ...... Nothing to Report 16. Marking and Banding...... Nothing to Report 17. Disease Prevention and Control...... Nothing to Report

H. PUBLIC USE...... 2

1. General...... Nothing to Report 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students ...... Nothing to Report 3. Outdoor Classrooms- Teachers...... Nothing to Report 4. Interpretive Foot Trails ...... Nothing to Report 5. Interpretive Tour Routes ...... Nothing to Report 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations ...... Nothing to Report 7. Other Interpretive Programs...... Nothing to Report 8. Hunting ...... 2 9. Fishing...... Nothing to Report 10. Trapping...... Nothing to Report 11. Wildlife Observation...... Nothing to Report 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Activities...... Nothing to Report

ii 13. Camping ...... Nothing to Report 14. Picnicking...... Nothing to Report 15. Off Road Vehicling ...... Nothing to Report 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation ...... Nothing to Report 17. Law Enforcement ...... 2 18. Cooperating Associations...... Nothing to Report 19. Concessions...... Nothing to Report I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ...... 3

1. New Construction...... 3 2. Rehabilitation ...... Nothing to Report 3. Major Maintenance...... 3 4. Equipment and Utilization...... Nothing to Report 5. Communications Systems ...... Nothing to Report 6. Computer Systems...... Nothing to Report 7. Other...... Nothing to Report

J. OTHER ITEMS ...... 3

1. Cooperative Programs ...... 3 2. Other Economic Use...... Nothing to Report 3. Items of Interest...... Nothing to Report 4. Credits ...... Nothing to Report

iii A. HIGHLIGHTS

· Wallops Island Refuge opened to whitetailed deer hunting in 2002.

D. PLANNING

2. Management Plans

The following plans were submitted for Regional concurrence and subsequent approval.

9 Annual Big Game Hunting Program.

3. Public Involvement

Community Leaders and Partners Meetings:

Although the Community Leaders and Partners Meetings normally concern issues related to the Chincoteague Refuge, several topics pertained to Wallops Island Refuge in 2001. Due to the relatively high number of vehicle/deer collisions along Route 175, the status of having a white-tailed deer hunt on the refuge and the success of that deer hunt were discussed at a number of meetings.

6. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

In January, the following documents were completed and submitted to the Regional Office to open Wallops Island Refuge to deer hunting.

• Environmental Assessment - Public Deer Hunt Proposal • Environmental Action Memorandum • Finding of No Significant Impacts • Compatibility Determination • Section 7 evaluation • Refuge Specific Regulations • White-tailed Deer Hunt Plan

The package was completed after coordination with VDGIF, USDA Wildlife Services, several County and local governments, and a public meeting concerning the proposed deer hunt action. Additionally the package included a concurrence letter for the Commonwealth of Virginia and appropriate news releases. The final rule for conducting the hunt was published in the Federal Register September 2002. This action provided public hunting, which is one of the priority public uses for refuges identified in the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.

1 E. ADMINISTRATION

4. Volunteer Program

Volunteers:

Wallops Island Refuge is not staffed with personnel and is closed to the public. As a result, there were few volunteer opportunities for Wallops Island. There is, however, a monthly trash pick up along route 175, past the NASA visitor center.

G. WILDLIFE

8. Game Mammals

For the first time since the establishment of Wallops Island NWR in 1975, a limited public hunt was conducted during November and December. The hunt was broken down into five hunting periods lasting for three days each. A total of 45 white-tailed deer were harvested during the five week hunt.

H. PUBLIC USE

8. Hunting:

Table 1: White-tailed Deer Hunt on Wallops Island

White-tailed Deer Hunt 2002 White-tailed Deer Number of Number Male Female Hunters of Hours Total 17 28 23 475.25

A five-week white-tailed deer hunt was conducted on Wallops Island Refuge in December of 2002. This deer management effort was undertaken to reduce the impact that the deer were having on refuge habitat, as well as to respond to the community’s concern regarding the number of vehicle/deer accidents along Route 175. The hunt program also supported the NWRS’s “Big Six” public use activities.

2 17. Law Enforcement

Throughout 2002, routine patrols of Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge were conducted to detect and suppress trespassing and illegal hunting. Refuge boundaries were surveyed and posted to ensure the integrity of the refuge. The following significant events occurred:

• On December 3, 2002, during the refuge's big game firearm hunt, refuge officers conducted a hunter compliance check resulting in the detection of a hunter in possession of an untagged deer. Subsequently the hunter, a self proclaimed hunter education instructor, was charged for hunting in violation of State law by failing to attach a deer license tag to a harvested animal at the place of kill prior to moving the animal in violation of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 32.2(d).

I. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

1. New Construction

During the spring, the maintenance staff also gave the YCC camp building on Wallops Island Refuge a good cleaning and reorganization of stored equipment. Museum property, including boats and sink boxes used by waterfowl market gunners, found a new home on racks constructed by the crew especially for these important materials. The YCC building became a major repository for other museum property, administrative files, exercise equipment and tires.

3. Major Maintenance

In November, MW Collins, HEO Wilgus and TO Swartz constructed new kiosks for the deer hunts on Chincoteague and Wallops Island Refuge. TO Swartz, RO Reagan, Laborer Jones and SROS Stotts posted the hunting boundaries and sea-level fen area on Wallops. Three sites were marked for temporary parking areas along Rt.175. In mid-December, at the end of the refuge hunt, the parking areas were dismantled, in order to discourage public access into closed areas.

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

On June 24, Deputy Refuge Manager Roster attended a meeting at NASA, on new access procedures for Wallops Flight Facility. Other agencies involved included U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy. Since the events of 9/11/01, NASA has reevaluated the security threats of the facility and developed a new access procedure that actually make it a little easier to get employees and volunteers onto the base. A large number of refuge staff have a picture badge for access and will be able to escort a visitor onto the facility has long as the badged employee vouches for the visitor. This puts the accountability of vouching for the visitor on the badged

3 employee. The badged employee is required to submit information on background check and finger prints.

4