North Spit Plover Management, Oct. 28

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking feedback from the public on its proposed changes to how the agency manages western snowy plover habitat on the North Spit of Coos Bay. The BLM is considering closing access in the snowy plover habitat areas on the southern end of the North Spit year-round, and adding oyster shell, using herbicides and burning in certain areas to improve nesting habitat for the small shorebird. The changes would occur on approximately 71 of the 1,736 acres the BLM manages on the North Spit. Those wishing to provide comments and suggestions can do so until November 23, 2016. The BLM will consider the comments as they develop management alternatives and proposed projects. Comments may be submitted by email to BLM_OR_CB_Mail@blm.gov, or by mail to Coos Bay District, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459. The BLM manages habitat for the western snowy plover, a federally listed threatened species that nests and raises its young in the open sand.  The North Spit contains the most productive snowy-plover nesting grounds on the Oregon Coast. In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service updated the Critical Habitat designations for the bird, which now covers more BLM administered lands on the North Spit than has been managed in the past. Additionally, there is an opportunity for the BLM to update its plan to incorporate new information and management tools.  Current management tools in place for the snowy plover include seasonally restricting public access on the North Spit from March 15 to September 15 each year and plowing/disking to create open sand habitat. For additional information on the proposal, visit the North Spit snowy plover project website at http://tinyurl.com/jhxwes7.