Mayor Larry Starner of Lower Township, though unable to attend the press event, commented that ?We are glad that we have another parcel for our Wildlife Refuge here .... This should provide more opportunities for fishing and other outdoor activities.?

This particular parcel of land was acquired through a land swap of property at the Service's National Conservation Training Center, in Shepherdstown, W. Va., allowing available funds to be used toward the purchase of coastal habitat at the Delaware Bay Division of the Cape May refuge. The land purchase will protect 42.5 acres of coastal barrier island habitat for migratory shorebirds and wintering waterfowl such as American black duck, northern pintail, brant, green-winged teal, and a variety of merganser.

Since being established in 1989, the Cape May refuge has protected over 11,500 acres of upland forest, forested wetland, salt marsh, ocean-front beach, maritime forest and grassland habitats. The goal is to eventually acquire 21,000 acres. These areas are considered so important that refuge lands are included in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, are a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, are a part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, are recognized as part of the Pinelands National Reserve, are designated as an Important Bird Area, and are listed as a destination on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route.