Management
The principal refuge
management objective on land is to enhance the quality of habitat for
the full diversity of nesting seabird species. This will be accomplished
by preventing the reintroduction of rats, by controlling noxious plants
and by replanting specific areas with native vegetation. Several steps
have been taken or are underway to minimize human activities that adversely
impact wildlife. Examples include the elimination of overhead wiring,
the modification of lights that disorient night-flying birds and the
timing of construction or repair activities to reduce wildlife impacts.
Some particularly important beaches have been declared "off limits"
to encourage undisturbed use of these areas by seals.
Marine
Protection - Protect shoreline and marine habitat that supports
bird, wildlife, and fish species, and their critical life activities
such as resting, feeding, nesting, fledging, migrating, etc. No public
access is allowed.
Revegetation/Habitat - Midway Atoll is a highly disturbed
system that hosts pervasive invasive plant
species, toxic materials, and human development remnants that, taken
together, have created significant adverse impact on indigenous species
and their habitat. Efforts will focus on restoring atoll habitat and
enhancing species populations.
Beach - Shoreline that is open to the public for passive
recreation and educational activities such as walking, bird and wildlife
watching, and beach viewing - primarily on the north beach of Sand Island.
No beach access is available on Spit Island, and the only access allowed
on Eastern Island is via the boat dock.
Inner Harbor - This includes the historic Inner Harbor
and its associated shoreline, piers, and facilities. One of two approaches
to the island (by boat or plane), the inner harbor is critical to visitor
arrival, transportation of services and goods, and water-based activities
(e.g., ecotourism via cruise ships or mid-sized vessels, marine research,
rescue operations, security).
Airfield Operations - The Airfield Operations on Sand
Island comprises the active Henderson Airfield and includes the new
operations center, the old hangar, the active runway, and inactive runway
portions. One of two approaches to the island (by boat or plane), the
airfield operations is critical to visitor arrival, transportation of
services and goods, and aviation activities (ecotourism via air travel,
research, emergency operations, security).
Freshwater Protection - The Freshwater Protection
is a large triangular portion of the runway area from which surface
water is collected in the catchment basin and then pumped into the three
freshwater storage tanks.
Historic and Primary Development - The Historic and
Primary Development designates Sand Island’s historic core and redevelopment
area. It delineates an area that is highly significant in terms of historic
development patterns on Sand Island related to the Cable Company historic
period (early 1900s) and World War II historic period (1940s). One of
the principal goals of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is to preserve
and interpret these unique historical resources.
Research - The diverse populations of fish and wildlife,
coupled with the capability to provide logistical support to investigators,
make Midway Atoll an ideal site to conduct long-term scientific research.
Data resulting from these projects are critical to the conservation
of Midway's natural resources.
Ongoing
Projects:
Verbesina
Control Project - In 1997, the refuge received invasive species
funding to hire two, full time biologial technicians to supplement the
pre-existing Verbesina Control Program. Control is focused on hand pulling
Verbesina in sensitive areas where wetlands and high densities of native
plants occur, spraying appropriate herbicides, and limited mowing.
Termite
Control - Termite control was reinitiated around a portion
of the buildings at Midway. With appropriate funding, this program may
be expanded to included all historical and functional use buildings.
Mosquito
Control - Mosquitos were accidentally introduced to the refuge
in the early 1900s and act as vectors to transmit avian pox to seabirds.
A large scale program was initiated between 2004 to 2007 to eliminate
the majority of the mosquito breeding sites. This work seems to have
been successful and now very few cases of avian pox are observed on
the refuge.
Lead Paint
Abatement - Lead paint that chips off buildings at Midway is
inadvertently ingested by a portion of the albatross chicks on the refuge.
This can lead to nervous system damage and death. The refuge has received
funding to begin to remove lead paint from the buildings and soil to
reduce lead-induced mortality in albatross chicks.
Examples
of Successful Habitat Restoration (pdf)
Marine
debris - Cigarette lighters and the plastic problem on Midway
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