Petition Protesting Padre Island National Seashore’s (PAIS)

Pre-NEPA Beach Management Plan & 2020 Rof STSR Program

PAIS and interested local parties have long compromised on beach management to allow continued access and sea turtle recovery. In 2012, just 11 years ago and after an extensive public involvement effort over three years, the NPS Regional Director signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a Beach Vehicle Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA identified and examined impacts of five alternative management options (including one from a local vehicle users’ group). The FONSI stated that the NPS has selected its preferred alternative, which limited vehicle speed to 15 mph from March 1 through Labor Day. This alternative allowed beach driving all year but kept in place speed limits. A reasonable compromise was made to accommodate competing interests. The EA essentially has served as a management plan since 2012. Considering the long and difficult NEPA process, the question must be asked: Why has the NPS decided to re-examine and rehash these issues after only 11 years? What changes in visitor use or resource concerns has occurred in that short timeframe? NPS motives for suddenly abandoning reasonable decisions vetted through a rigorous NEPA process such a short time ago seem highly suspect and unjustifiable.

It seems clear that the superintendent was sent to PAIS specifically to carry out the recommendations of the 2020 Review of the PAIS sea turtle program. The problem is that the Review seems like obvious retaliation against Dr. Shaver being too successful in obtaining funding for her program. Much pressure is applied within the NPS on management personnel at PAIS because other turtle recovery programs managed by the NPS outside of Texas (such as, in Florida) leave a turtle’s eggs in situ at the beach and can close their beaches to public access. The report appears to have been directed to find fault with the turtle program. There has been little input from Texas turtle partners and experts. The future of STSR and its practices are directly correlated to beach management (driving) and permanent decisions addressing this issue should be made following a strenuous NEPA process BEFORE any changes are made to STSR.

• We demand to know why the 2012 beach driving EA and FONSI are no longer seen as the guiding policy for beach access. Beach driving must be addressed before any decisions can be made regarding STSR protocols and practices.  Stopping beach driving during High human traffic months will cost the city and small businesses Billions of Dollars in losses and Damages. 

• Also, we demand the removal of Mr. Brunnemann; a commitment from the NPS for long-term support for the PAIS STSR program; and the restoration of the STSR program to pre-2020 funding levels with the ability to seek project funding. No changes to the turtle program, regardless of the recommendations of the Review report, should be made until complete and thorough NEPA process is conducted, first for beach driving, then for STSR.

TEAM HARD LIFE

BREAK AWAY TACKLE

SEA TURTLE ADVOCATES FOR CONSERVATION & EDUCATION (STACE)

Name/Address

Xxxxx Xxxxxxx