I don't know which is most outrageous here-the lack of transparency by the  
VT F&W department in the development of their "management" plan, the  
disruption of nesting species on Young Island by VT F&W activities, or  simply their 
hubris. In any event I have some suggestions for confronting  this issue.
 
1. I understand that Audubon VT has sent a letter to VT F&W expressing  their 
concern about Young Island management. Other interested organizations such  
as local Audubon chapters, the Lake Champlain Committee, the Nature 
Conservancy,  VINS, VCE, etc. should respond likewise. VT F&W should be asked to halt  
their current activities until after the nesting season and preferably until  
their management plan can receive public review.
 
2. Individuals on this list should contact members of the legislature's  
Natural Resources Committees, asking them to conduct public hearings about the  
Young Island management plan.
 
3. A knowledgeable individual such as Dave Capen or Mark LaBarr should  offer 
to write a "My Turn" article for the BFP describing the situation on Young  
Island. Including a photograph or a video clip of VT F&W personnel  shooting 
gulls and cormorants would make for an effective graphic.
 
Parenthetically, VCE, which publishes the excellent "Bird Brains"  articles 
might consider writing one about Caspian Terns or even RB Gulls,  highlighting 
Young Island's role in the Lake Champlain ecosystem.
 
In any event, the VT F&W (or should it be F$W) department does not seem  to 
be serving Vermont well in this endeavor. A little transparency would go a  
long way in improving this situation in my opinion.
 
Thanks to Dave Capen for bringing this issue up and to David Hoag for his  
interesting summary of Young Island's (checkered) history.
 
Bruce MacPherson
South Burlington



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