CONTACT: Contact: Brian Long (919) 733-2293, ext. 229
Date: Oct. 17, 2002 Distribution: Statewide
Bird Island Becomes State’s 10th Coastal Reserve
SUNSET BEACH - The state today (Oct. 17) protected nearly 1,300 acres of beach, marsh and wetlands when it dedicated Bird Island as a N.C. Coastal Reserve.
The undeveloped spit of land in southern Brunswick County becomes the 10th site in the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program, which is administered by the Division of Coastal Management. The designation will protect habitat used by several threatened or endangered species, including Kemp’s ridley and loggerhead sea turtles, the piping plover, wood stork and black skimmer.
In May, the state completed the second and final phase of the $4.2 million purchase of Bird Island, which was owned by the Price family of Greensboro. Coastal Management received funding for the acquisition from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund, N.C. Natural Heritage Trust Fund and state Department of Transportation.
“The Bird Island acquisition is another step forward in our on-going efforts to protect our most special areas of open space,” Gov. Mike Easley said. “It is a great example of the preservation efforts we will be pursuing through our One North Carolina Naturally initiative. Through that effort, we will identify and conserve areas critical for their unique biological and landscape values. And we will make sure the farms, the forests and other features of North Carolina’s rural landscape remain for generations to come.”
The preservation effort involved support by grass-roots organizations, state agencies and legislators. The Bird Island Preservation Society worked for 10 years to protect the island from development, enlisting the help of
the N.C. Coastal Land Trust and N.C. Coastal Federation. State Rep. David Redwine of Brunswick County lent his support to the effort, as did the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Though technically no longer an island since Mad Inlet closed a few years ago, Bird Island has long been a spot where beachcombers sought to relax. The acquisition protects 1.2 miles of ocean beach and 1.5 miles of shoreline on the sound side of the island. Of the nearly 1,300 acres protected, 147 are upland and 1,150 are marsh and wetlands.
The Clean Water Management Trust Fund awards grants for projects that enhance or restore degraded waters, protect unpolluted waters, or contribute toward a network of riparian buffers and greenways for environmental, educational, and recreational benefits.
The Natural Heritage Trust Fund supports efforts to acquire lands that represent the state’s ecological diversity to ensure their conservation for recreational, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic purposes.
DOT’s contribution to the preservation effort will allow the agency to get mitigation credits for future road projects in the Lumber River Basin. Under state rules, DOT can mitigate the impacts of highway projects on wetlands and waters of the state through in-kind creation and restoration of wetlands and preservation of existing wetlands.
The Coastal Reserve staff has begun work on a management plan for the island, and will seek the input of local citizens and leaders. Staff also will establish a local advisory committee to assist them with management decisions.
The Bird Island Preservation Society announced today that next summer it would fund a position for a Bird Island naturalist. This position will help monitor natural resources, educate the public and assist the state in managing the island.
Since its creation in 1989, the N.C. Coastal Reserve Program has protected 40,000 acres of coastal habitat for research, education and recreation.
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