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For Immediate Release - September 21, 2009

Contact:
John Schmerfeld, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
804/693-6694 x107

Action:
Notice of Availability of the Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft DARP/EA) for the M/V Bow Mariner Oil Spill; Request for Comments

Summary:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), on behalf of the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Natural Resource Trustee (Trustee) for this project has written a Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft DARP/EA) that describes the proposed alternatives for restoring natural resources injured as a result of the February 28, 2004 oil release from the M/V Bow Mariner.

Dates:
Comments on the Draft DARP/EA must be submitted in writing on or before Oct 21, 2009.

Addresses:
Written comments on the Draft DARP/EA should be submitted to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, Virginia 23061. Comments may also be faxed to: 804-693-9032. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record.

Availability:
Requests for copies of the draft DARP/EA may be made to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, Virginia 23061. A copy of the Draft DARP/EA will also be made available for public review at the public library on School Street in Milbridge, Maine. A copy may also be viewed at www.fws.gov/northeast/mainecoastal.

For further information, contact:
John Schmerfeld, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, Virginia 23061. Interested parties may also call 804-693-6694, extension 107, or send e-mails to john_schmerfeld@fws.gov for further information.

Click here for the Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan & Environmental Assessment for the T/V Bow Mariner Oil Spill.

Seabird Restoration Project Initiated on Eastern Brothers Island

In 2007, the refuge initiated a new seabird restoration project on Eastern Brothers Island in Jonesport. The island recently supported a small population of great black-backed and herring gulls, black guillemots, common eider, and Leach’s storm-petrels. The island is strategically located between Petit Manan and Machias Seal Islands, and could potentially draw terns from both colonies. Eastern Brothers also provides exceptional breeding habitat for Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and black guillemots. This project helps to meet both State of Maine and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service objectives to increase the number and geographic distribution of tern and alcid (puffin and razorbill) colonies along the Maine coast.

Razorbill decoys on the south side of Eastern Brothers Island. Credit: USFWS

In early April, the refuge placed Atlantic puffin and razorbill decoys along the 80’ cliffs on the south side of the island. We also placed a technician on the island to discourage gulls from nesting on Eastern Brothers. In mid-May we set up tern decoys and a sound system. Any terns flying near the island would be able to hear the sounds of an active tern colony, and see terns already nesting on the ground (our decoys). Throughout the season, we observed both razorbills and Atlantic puffins in the water adjacent to the island. We estimate that over 300 pairs of black guillemots bred on the island in 2007. We documented one pair of common terns nesting among the decoys, and the pair raised one chick. We are hopeful that Eastern Brothers Island becomes a productive tern and alcid colony in the near future.

Jordan's Delight

Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge acquired Jordan’s Delight, an important seabird island located in Narraguagus Bay, Washington County, from Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) in June 2007. The refuge assumed ownership of 27 acres of the 30 acre island. The acquisition excludes a 3-acre conservation easement that allows members of the family that previously donated the island to MCHT to maintain a small house and to visit the island when the seabirds are not nesting.

Jordan’s Delight, an important seabird island located in Narraguagus Bay, Maine. Credit: USFWS

The island originally came on the market in 2000 for $1.6 million. At that time, a 3,000 square foot house was under construction on the island. An anonymous private family foundation acquired the island to conserve the property. The foundation donated 27 acres to MCHT, with the hope that MCHT would remove the house and restore the island to its natural state. MCHT did that and provided interim ownership and management until the Fish and Wildlife Service could secure funding to purchase the property for $70,000.

Seabirds that nest on the island include black-backed gull, herring gull, double-crested cormorant, common eider, Leach’s storm petrel, and black guillemont. The island is also an important resting stop for spring and fall migrants.