Officials from Chincoteague Refuge, Town, and County Convene To Address Public Comments on Draft Management Plan
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with representatives from federal, state, and county agencies and elected officials from the Town of Chincoteague and Accomack County, to review public comments on the first draft of alternatives for the Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges comprehensive conservation plan (CCP).
The refuge initially solicited public comment on a first draft of management scenarios between Aug. 14 and Oct. 31, 2011. At the meeting, the planning team clarified the attributes common to all alternatives and discussed proposed refinements to the draft alternatives based on public comments received.
Some key elements in each proposed alternative include:
- A one-mile long recreational beach will be maintained
- Some level of parking in the vicinity of the recreational beach will be maintained
- Personal motor vehicle access to Assateague Island will continue to be permitted
- The Chincoteague ponies will continue to inhabit Assateague Island and management will be specified in the agreement with the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company.
