Sandy Point won't be going to the dogs.
That was abundantly clear at the public forum Wednesday night on the Avalonia Land Conservancy's decision to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to manage the island nature preserve in Little Narragansett Bay.
While initial reports that Avalonia was handing management of the popular island beach that straddles the Connecticut-Rhode Island border to the feds elicited waves of concern and protest, it appeared that most of the couple hundred people at Wednesday's meeting will support the beefed-up protection of nesting and migrating birds, as long as sun-lovers can still visit Sandy Point.
And they can.
Richard Potvin of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said the goal is not only for people to continue to visit Sandy Point, but for his staff to teach them about the piping plovers, oystercatchers and least terns that nest there, and the migrating birds that depend on Sandy Point on their annual sojourns.
Over and over again attendees voiced support for the Avalonia/FWS plan, complaining about the handful of visitors to the nature preserve who disobey the rules and bring their dogs, build campfires, set off fireworks, and leave trash behind. Only a few participants publicly disagreed, arguing that dogs should be allowed on the beach and that Avalonia is making a mistake entrusting the popular summer destination to the federal government. Those few quickly learned they are in the minority and dogs will not be tolerated. Period.
Anne Roberts-Pierson, president of the land conservancy, left no doubt that it was that handful of lawbreakers who forced the arm of Avalonia to call in the big guns for help. Despite its best efforts, Avalonia wasn't able to enforce its rules that help protect the wildlife that depend on the barrier beach for survival. Especially the ban on dogs.
Most people seemed to support the new management agreement, and were happy to offer suggestions for access, conservation and other beach and wildlife issues. When one woman protested the format of the meeting, Roberts-Pierson told her it wasn't a public hearing, it was an information session. Another words, go pound sand.
This summer is going to be the proving ground: Will this arrangement work? Will FWS be up to the challenge of the hordes of boaters who clog Sandy Point on perfect summer weekends? Will it be able to keep dogs and campers off the island? Will lawbreakers be more respectful of the rules? Will we all learn more about piping plovers and roseate terns?
What do you think? Did you attend the meeting? Tell us your thoughts and concerns.