Dennis Suskind
Member Southampton Town Board
Southampton Town Hall
116 Hampton Road
Southampton, NY 11968

November 21, 2002

Dear Mr. Suskind,

Unfortunately I have only a few pages of the Long Pond Greenbelt Management Plan before me. Since I am active on a state level with management plans, most recently SCORP, I appreciate the efforts that go into such plans. On this short notice and with incomplete copies before me, I will limit my comments to one topic although there are many inaccuracies in the other pages I did read.

Page 27, D, 1) comments that horseback riding will be prohibited "to protect native turtle nest sites."

I polled my associates across the country to see if any of them had experience with turtles being endangered on trails. None had-my contacts go to naturalists who geographically range from California to S. Carolina to the Bay States. I give you below a sample of two responses.

Mary Hanson, Outdoor Recreational Planner, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance, National Park Service: "In reviewing the two turtles that might be the species . . . to protect, nowhere does it state that trail use, much less horses are a threat. The bigger problems are loss of habitat and people collecting turtles."

http:/www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/mutufs.html
http:/www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmt/wildlife/endspec/botufs.html

These web sites refer us to the Eastern Mud Turtle and the Bog Turtle. In fact, the web site tells us that natural succession is one of the biggest threats to the Bog Turtle. We are also told that Purple Loosestrife (first on the list of invasive species for NY) endangers the habitat of the turtle. Perhaps the management plan should ban nurseries from selling the pretty little loosestrife plant. The Nature Conservancy supports such a ban and it would be infinitely more effective than limiting trail use.

Gene Wood, Professor of Forest Wildlife Ecology, Dept. of Aquaculture, Fisheries and Wildlife, Clemson University: "Of immeasurably greater importance is the predation of nests and hatching by crows, gulls, raccoons, opossums, snakes, dogs and cats; . . .horses remain functionally inconsequential in affecting reproductive success."

Several writers commented that there is apparently no scientific, researched basis for the stipulations.

I have more to repeat, but in the interest of brevity I will limit this current letter to these two specific comments.

Horses have been on Long Island since European explorers settled it in the 16th century. Horses are not a threat to turtles. Roads, development, pesticide run-off and illegal pet traders are the unnatural enemies of turtles.

Again let me say that I appreciate the efforts you have put into this management plan. Like all drafts, there are portions that need improvement and correction. Let us continue to work together so that we create a document that is based on science, common sense and respect for man and his natural environment.

Sincerely,

Cyla Allison, Ph.D.
NYS Trails Council
Region 9 Director of
US-Equestrian Trails Coalition
Member of Protected Lands Council of the
Central Pine Barrens Commission