News Release

For Release: Tuesday, March 25, 2008       
Contact:  BLM Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-08-35

Report on Seabird Monitoring at Gualala Point Island Released

Additional monitoring will be conducted during the 2008 nesting season

 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have released results of a monitoring study conducted last July at Gualala Point Island. A second monitoring study will be conducted in June and July 2008. The island, located off Sonoma County, is part of the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) administered by BLM.
 
The results of the study, jointly prepared by BLM and FWS biologists, “Seabird and Marine Mammal Monitoring and Response to a Fireworks Display at Gualala Point Islands, Sonoma County, CA, May to August 2007,” is available online at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/ccnm.html The study cites support from the State, local partners, and volunteers in the effort.
 
According to the study, “the monitoring was conducted in response to reports of disturbance from a fireworks display in July 2006 to nesting seabirds…. In 2007, monitoring examined potential impacts to seabirds and marine mammals during a fireworks display on 6 July and gained additional basic knowledge of this little studied colony.”  The study states “observations documented a visible response by nesting seabirds…during the 6 July fireworks display” and details specific impacts.
 
CCNM Manager Rick Hanks said volunteers and partners are critical to the effort, working under BLM/USFWS established scientific data protocols.  For more information, contact Hanks at 299 Foam St., Monterey, CA 93940, phone (831) 372-6105, or e-mail or ccnm@ca.blm.gov

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