Champagne Island Closing!

[toneil7163]

The Associated Press • April 14, 2008
Only shorebirds will be allowed to flock to Champagne Island this summer.
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State officials are closing the island off Cape May County to boaters to protect the birds that nest there -- terns, piping plovers and black skimmers.

The news comes as a disappointment to boaters who relish the freedom of the sandbar. The state says the boaters -- and their dogs -- disturb the bird habitat.

State director of Fish and Wildlife David Chanda says there's a chance part of the island could be reopened -- if conditions allow it.

Otherwise, conservation officers will be writing tickets to those who try to anchor there.

[Putem OnIce]

The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club filed a complaint with the state last year over what the organization perceived as boater abuses on the island, President Jeff Tittel said. "With Champagne Island, you see boaters destroying a resource that belongs to the public," he said. "It became the Sunday afternoon party boat place. The state is definitely doing the right thing."


Here they go again... I guess the enviro mentality is that the only "right" the public has to a "resource" is to LOOK AT IT and not USE it!!!
:mad: :mad: :mad:

Dogs have been prohibited for some time now... Not good enough for the bird-nerds, I suppose...

I'm beyond ticked off... We go there 3 or 4 times a summer, hardly spend much time on the sand itself... Usually just swimming around the boat and having a good time/conversation with the other boaters.

[Even Steven]

Gimme a break, that Island washes over duwing most high tides anyway, especially around the new and full moon. So unless the birds are 'nesting' undergound, the reasoning behind the closure holds no water, no pun intended.

[Maycraft04]

This is ridicolous, I too only go a few times a year. Bring some family and friends, let them off to relax take some people tubing.

[jc]

Good, that island is loaded with Drunks all summer. They jump in their boats racing back and forth and are a menace to the people on the water trying to have fun safely

[Hardtop]

Too many kids have trashed the place over the last few years. It got out of hand and this is how they are dealing with it.

I wonder what they’ll do if you pull up to the Stone Harbor side?

[Putem OnIce]

Good, that island is loaded with Drunks all summer. They jump in their boats racing back and forth and are a menace to the people on the water trying to have fun safely

Following that logic, I can think of a dozen or so establishments along the ICW that should be closed... Heck, all of Wildwood for that matter. :rolleyes:

Punish the masses for the actions of the vast minority... the NJ way.

[GoNavy]

My wife was a Life Guard at Sandy Hook - she hated those birds. She said the stupid plovers would get stuck in the ruts made by tires and they'd die.

Did you ever see the South Park episode with the annoying bird, that everyone hates, but that they save - despite it's constant efforts to kill himself?

(My wife is a big time animal lover too)

[Captain Phil]

My one day off week is spent there along with all of my friends. Write me a ticket if you want, were still going out there.

[Putem OnIce]

My one day off week is spent there along with all of my friends. Write me a ticket if you want, were still going out there.

An "Anchor-In"?
Sign me up. :D

[toneil7163]

An "Anchor-In"?
Sign me up. :D

I go a few times a year with my kids. They have a great time exploring the tidel waters. I rarely see trash, They have the area roped off that the birds are nesting. nobody i have seen ever goes near there. The only people that seem to bother them are the bird watchers with all the equipment they bring. They get closer than anyone.

I also hear that the bird watchers are going to do tours and charge money!

This is our land, don't let them take it away!

How can we fight this?

[Putem OnIce]

How can we fight this?

Get about 500 boats to anchor there. Have everyone fly blaze orange kites with streamers/pinwheels. Play loud music. Grill up some quail/pheasant. Take plenty of pictures of the bird-nerds romping on the island while everyone else stays at the waterline or at their boats.

Need a LOUD public outcry on this one.

I wonder if there was actually a study of how many "undisturbed" eggs actually survive on this sandbar that get covered at lunar tides? :confused:

[Mulv80]

"State director of Fish and Wildlife David Chanda says there's a chance part of the island could be reopened -- if conditions allow it."

Its time for a petiton. At the very least everyone should email David Chanda and voice their opposition to the closing of Champagne Island. It looks from this quote that the decision to close the island has not been finalized.

Heres the informaton:

Division of Fish and Wildlife (http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/)
Director: David Chanda
Support Staff: Debbie Zook 609-292-9410
Fax Number:609-984-1414

Mailing Address: PO Box 400
501 East State Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0400

Administrative Support: Helen Russo-609-984-9461
General Information: 609-292-3541

[Papa Bear 56]

Is this really official:confused: they are closing it for sure...That sucks bigtime...whats the plan to stop them? If possible

[toneil7163]

:mad: THey actuall have most of it closed anyway. I just don't understand. Time to vote these jokers out:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Rageboat]

Seems like every year I hear about this island closing, yet every season I see the boaters out there. I have never seen anyone near the roped off bird nesting area. Can't quite understand what the problem is.

[always fishing]

I like it out there. It's a great place to stop for some sun on the way to Sunset Bay. People just having to much fun, that's a big no no here. I like it out there in the winter, start a little fire 12 pack, mom, and girl friend. Sit back and watch the sun set.:)

[Jerseybuck]

Yee who didn't support your fellow beach fisherman when they started with this at Holgate are getting what you deserve.

Look for more of this type of closure from the enviro nuts that are trying to shut down hunting and fishing. Their doing it with a mis leading "Green Acres" policy and now their going to pick up the pace with this type of thing.

[Groggy]

Gimme a break, that Island washes over duwing most high tides anyway, especially around the new and full moon. So unless the birds are 'nesting' undergound, the reasoning behind the closure holds no water, no pun intended.

I have never been there, but have freinds who go there every summer. ES, that's the first thing i thought of when i read the article this morning. I think they even mention it that it washes over soemtimes at high tide, which makes me wonder about the reasoning behind it. Its total BS, and if i was a frequent visitor of the island, i would be VERY pissed.

[always fishing]

There's a very small peice of dune that stays above the water line and I personally have never seen it 100% covered, but maybe Keeper Seeker or someone else has. The island has been shifting to the south as Stone Harbor pt. continues to grow, south. Even with all the shifting it appears the dune is still there, this spring...? But, with that said the very small dune that stays above the water line would't be able to hold very many nest......:( I'll take a pic next full moon, and well all take a look. Hows that sound.:)

[Fishpicker]

Don't worry boys Fishpicker and company are on the case. Hopefully there will be some question answered by the Lisa and David and the rest of the gang at 501 east state street.

Watch out for the Concerned Wildlife Fund !!!!! It would have been a whole lot easier for them to have given us 100,000 crabs. But Greed and Lust of money took over tisk tisk tisk !!!!!


I just read the Horseshoe carb press release that will be going out in the morning. It's a good one and should be in the papers either tomorrow night or Weds Morning.

[Fishpicker]

Oh BTW Larry Niles and company just found more Red Knots is FLA ahhhhhhh go figure.

Can anybody say Fleecing of America. Seems as though Larry and company have a very good scam and we "" The Tax payers of the US "" are paying for it.

[7MI]

This awful. That island is unlike anywhere else around here - so much more that you can do in terms of swimming, boating and relaxing.

The real problem with this is that the problem people will still go, so only the law abiding people who went, were respectful and cleaned up after themselves will be affected. They say they will ticket people out there, but where were they the last few years to ticket the people bringing the dogs in the first place? Maybe if they had done their job then they wouldn't feel the need to punish the rest of us now.

[Eric G]

The Phil & Eddie Landscaping crew will maintain the island for human beings...(and dogs!):D

[Captain Phil]

What if something was to happen to all those birds and they werent around anymore:rolleyes: What ashame...looks like we can go back out there now!:D

[MaxPower]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?

[Groggy]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?

i don't disagree with you, but it seems like every inch we give the state takes a yard. Claiming the island seems to be an answer for any conduct that the state or conservative groups do not approve of. How on earth does the state close down all the state parks and then claim a small sandbar as theirs? They can manage an island in the middle of an inlet but not a park??? Pretty soon i'm going to be limited to my front yard and even there i have to pay taxes. let's face it we don't own a damn thing in NJ. All we do is pay rent and told where we can't go, and soon that will require a license too.:mad:

[Captain Phil]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?

Sorry, but our state has just gone to far, and its ashame. People including myself have been going there before those damn birds decided to build nests. That is the last peice of freedom left in this state and every year that area for the birds gets bigger and bigger. When the state of NJ gets in my face like this, im sorry but I really dont give a sh!t about those birds at all.

[capemaychef]

Sorry, but our state has just gone to far, and its ashame. People including myself have been going there before those damn birds decided to build nests. That is the last peice of freedom left in this state and every year that area for the birds gets bigger and bigger. When the state of NJ gets in my face like this, im sorry but I really dont give a sh!t about those birds at all.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

That's what I'm talking about Capt Phil....lets go stick our flag in the sand and claim it as our own:):) Let's take it back Goonie Style!!!

"HEEEEEYYY YOOOOOOOUUU GUUUUYYYYS!!!!!!"

Storm the beaches of Champagne Island I say!! Let's do it!!! I'm with ya all the way!!!!!!

[Putem OnIce]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?


Max, There's plenty of other nesting sites for these STUPID BIRDS THAT FAILED TO EVOLVE AND SHOULD HAVE GONE EXTINCT AGES AGO.

Closing this "Sandbar" as you call it, will do NOTHING for the STUPID BIRDS. This is nothing more than a 'Feel Good Token Gesture' done so a handful of enrivro-whackos can point to that "sandbar" and say "See, we got that area closed to protect the precious little cute birdies! Aren't we good people?"

They can nest in the endless marshes back there, want the boaters to start using that area?

As for using the "beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor," are you going to buy us beach tags? Get the lifeguards to allow frisbee games or bbq's?
I don't think so.

NJ.GOV has encroached on most of my recreation and relaxation activities. Can't they let me have this one sandbar?

[Mike Grabbe]

My one day off week is spent there along with all of my friends. Write me a ticket if you want, were still going out there.

Ditto:)
except it's not my 1 day off. But it is a friend's so I'll be joining him regularly.

[MaxPower]

As for using the "beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor," are you going to buy us beach tags? Get the lifeguards to allow frisbee games or bbq's?
I don't think so.


Wildwood Crest, Wildwood and North Wildwood have free beaches with plenty of room for frisbee, and drinking.
Higbee Beach is also free and you can pull your boat up, have a few drinks and play frisbee

Guys like you really give fishermen and hunters a good name

[Putem OnIce]

Wildwood Crest, Wildwood and North Wildwood have free beaches with plenty of room for frisbee, and drinking.
Higbee Beach is also free and you can pull your boat up, have a few drinks and play frisbee

Quite different pulling up to a beach with breakers.. Can you pull a boat up to said Crest or WW beaches? Ever been to Higbee? Not the most "moral family" friendly beach bro....


Guys like you really give fishermen and hunters a good name

You don't know me from Adam. You've never fished or hunted with me, and have no clue as to how I conduct myself, family, and crew at the island.

If we let this kinda of "snatch and grab, feel good but accomplish nothing" type of legislating continue, there WON'T BE ANY FISHERMEN/HUNTERS left.

Guys that think and vote like you are the reason NJ has become a communist state.

[jc]

Im all for closing Wildwood too :)




Following that logic, I can think of a dozen or so establishments along the ICW that should be closed... Heck, all of Wildwood for that matter. :rolleyes:

Punish the masses for the actions of the vast minority... the NJ way.

[anomy10]

Let's see - birds nest on Champagne, let's close it down. Birds also nest on SH point, let's close that down too. Sand pipers run along the beach, let's shut it down. I've seen skimmers run into fishing lines from people fishing at the bulkhead at night - shut'er down. Wait!! maybe i've got an idea - we can respectfully co-exist. Rope off the protected are and insure that we don't disturb the birds but allow people to use the sandbar. Don't allow our dogs to eat the endangered birds. Carefully untangle birds that hit lines, etc., etc., etc. Shutting down Champagne island completely is the beginning of a very slippery slope slide.

[JDE]

Let's see - birds nest on Champagne, let's close it down. Birds also nest on SH point, let's close that down too. Sand pipers run along the beach, let's shut it down. I've seen skimmers run into fishing lines from people fishing at the bulkhead at night - shut'er down. Wait!! maybe i've got an idea - we can respectfully co-exist. Rope off the protected are and insure that we don't disturb the birds but allow people to use the sandbar. Don't allow our dogs to eat the endangered birds. Carefully untangle birds that hit lines, etc., etc., etc. Shutting down Champagne island completely is the beginning of a very slippery slope slide.

The thing is (a couple of posters have already mentioned this) that the bird nesting areas of Champagne Island were already roped off. In fact I would guess well more than half the island has been off limits to boaters. It doesn't make any sense to kick the boaters off the small strip of beach so far away from the nesting areas. It stinks of the environmental special interests flexing their muscles just because they can. I hope this can be overturned.

[freaky One]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?


I think the barn has been infiltrated by "green" spies, It's a conspiracy I tell ya! :D ...The one place you can still have a little freedom..toss the anchor..kick back and relax..I really hope this doesnt happen..Then you'll have even more people racing up and down the ICW....wtf?

[SaltyJ]

Max, There's plenty of other nesting sites for these STUPID BIRDS THAT FAILED TO EVOLVE AND SHOULD HAVE GONE EXTINCT AGES AGO.

Closing this "Sandbar" as you call it, will do NOTHING for the STUPID BIRDS. This is nothing more than a 'Feel Good Token Gesture' done so a handful of enrivro-whackos can point to that "sandbar" and say "See, we got that area closed to protect the precious little cute birdies! Aren't we good people?"

They can nest in the endless marshes back there, want the boaters to start using that area?

As for using the "beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor," are you going to buy us beach tags? Get the lifeguards to allow frisbee games or bbq's?
I don't think so.

NJ.GOV has encroached on most of my recreation and relaxation activities. Can't they let me have this one sandbar?


There are no beach tags required in Wildwood, Stay home guys so you dont get enchroached on by the evil NJ.Gov... PLEASE!!!!! There's lots to do in PA right? Im from South OC, Corsons... and its a shit-show here all summer with dumb kooks crowding the place with jet ski's and boats... getting drunk running over each other and leaving garbage all over the place. It still looks like a dump out there, cans of beer everywhere, dog toys, plastic, bottles,shoes, and freaking aqua socks!!!!! a true sign a kook has been lurking around. You wanna drive over here and use our beaches, piss all over the place leave your garbage strewn all around then bitch about how losing tiny amounts of access to endangered native species is soooo unfair. WAAAAAAAHHHH, I know, I know its not you your the respectful ones. Well then please tell your kook neighbor its his fault then.

[BigSexy]

Its the only place where you can pull up with a boat or a waverunner. Its the only place the lifeguards don't bust your balls for swimmin too far left or right of the flag.
You cant bbq on any other beach or have the freedom to take a raft, a kayak, a football a cooler, food, etc. If they didn't take all the fun away from the other beaches, we wouldn't have to go there. The miles and miles of beaches people talk about is bull. Because you can only swim in the 150' section where the lifeguard is.
Besides, how can they enforce keeping you off a sandbar. Who owns something that isn't there half the time anyway?

[nando]

now their getting carried away :mad:

[Putem OnIce]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, SaltyJ....
Why not just fence off your communist little island State and secede from the Union to keep all of us foul mouthed, dirty shoobs from PA, NY and Ontario off your precious soil and sandbars.

I'm sure not a single NJ resident does a single thing wrong in another state. :)

I can't think of a single time that Champagne Island has been anywhere near what you described... Maybe it's a Corson's thing...

[SaltyJ]

Its the only place where you can pull up with a boat or a waverunner. Its the only place the lifeguards don't bust your balls for swimmin too far left or right of the flag.
You cant bbq on any other beach or have the freedom to take a raft, a kayak, a football a cooler, food, etc. If they didn't take all the fun away from the other beaches, we wouldn't have to go there. The miles and miles of beaches people talk about is bull. Because you can only swim in the 150' section where the lifeguard is.
Besides, how can they enforce keeping you off a sandbar. Who owns something that isn't there half the time anyway?

Just because you bought a boat or waverunner or even an atv doesn't entitle you to a place to use it. Blame the company that you bought it from for selling you the idea that with their outdoor products you can do whatever you want to in the most densly packed state in the country. And besides why can't you just anchor the dumb thing up and party on it as is!?! Its a freaking floating platform you can lay on drink in and jump off and have a grand ol' time. Why spend that kind of money to use it 8 times a summer just to drive to a crappy sandbar mere yards off the beach just to get out of it and sit there drinking all day? where's the logic there?

[Putem OnIce]

Don't feed the troll.

[BigSexy]

There are no beach tags required in Wildwood, Stay home guys so you dont get enchroached on by the evil NJ.Gov... PLEASE!!!!! There's lots to do in PA right? Im from South OC, Corsons... and its a shit-show here all summer with dumb kooks crowding the place with jet ski's and boats... getting drunk running over each other and leaving garbage all over the place. It still looks like a dump out there, cans of beer everywhere, dog toys, plastic, bottles,shoes, and freaking aqua socks!!!!! a true sign a kook has been lurking around. You wanna drive over here and use our beaches, piss and sh¡t all over the place leave your garbage strewn all around then bitch about how losing tiny amounts of access to endangered native species is soooo unfair. WAAAAAAAHHHH, I know, I know its not you your the respectful ones. Well then please tell your kook neighbor its his fault then.


Edit: just read your post.

I have a fishing boat that runs charters. It fishes 4 to 6 days a week. I have a skiff that I fish with whenever I want. I have waverunners that I have been taking to Champagne Island for 20 years. NO some bunny huggin, tree lovin weirdo wants to tell me I can't. Lets take away Ocean City's surfing beaches because someone might get hurt, grow up



I"m a local. I go to Champagne Island a couple times a week. I can tell you that probably 40 to 60% of the people out there are locals. It appears to me that everyone is having fun, I never see or hear of anyone causing a problem. The "shoobs" I have talked to out there, are there for the same reason as me, to have fun and get away from the BS of the governing body on the town beaches. I don't see but the occasional piece of trash on the beach. To me the above post sounds like it comes from an immature teenager, rebeling against the shoobies who come to his beaches. Grow up dude! If you are not a teenager, you need to step back and look at yourself and asked, who is crying. Is it the people who like to have a retreat to party and have a good time, or is it you crying about some people coming to your town. Besides you live in the Ocena City, you can't even drink in that town. So the way I see it, you would have to come out to our towns to enjoy a beer at the bar. So keep your kook ass in OC and shut up

[SaltyJ]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, SaltyJ....
Why not just fence off your communist little island State and secede from the Union to keep all of us foul mouthed, dirty shoobs from PA, NY and Ontario off your precious soil and sandbars.
.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigSexy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, SaltyJ....
Why not just fence off your communist little island State and secede from the Union to keep all of us foul mouthed, dirty shoobs from PA, NY and Ontario off your precious soil and sandbars.

I know why, because Ocean City along with all the other beach towns would turn into a ghost town. The propery value would plummit and locals would lose most of their income. Probably about 75% of local jobs revolve around tourism. No teenagers would have summer jobs, all the resturaunts would go out of business, etc, etc.

I'm a local and I know what effect the loss of tourism would have our economy.

[Putem OnIce]

I'm a local and I know what effect the loss of tourism would have our economy.

I'm not a true local... Just been paying taxes on a shore home and supporting the local economy for close to 20 years... So I do have a vested interest in what the NJ Legislators do, but no vote since it's not my permanent residence. Taxation w/o representation...

[Da Skiff]

I cant believe they actually are closing this place down. Ive spent countless numbers of hours over the years just relaxing there on the weekends with my family and friends. I dont see anyone messing with the stupid birds, other then the stupid bird people.

What will happen to the stone harbor side?

[SaltyJ]

I know why, because Ocean City along with all the other beach towns would turn into a ghost town. The propery value would plummit and locals would lose most of their income. Probably about 75% of local jobs revolve around tourism. No teenagers would have summer jobs, all the resturaunts would go out of business, etc, etc.

I'm a local and I know what effect the loss of tourism would have our economy.


Your brilliant!!!!!! Wow Meatball I didn't think of that, If this apocalyptic scenario were to come to fruition I wouldn't be able to work on the boardwalk this summer with all my teenage friends and then I'd be broke. Oh Noooooooo!!!

Thanks BigMeatball now I see the light... stupid birds, stupid tree hugging wierdos taking away all of our do what we want rights! Stupid beach folks who care about dumb birds that somehow have not already met their evolutionary end because they are so dumb!

Maybe I can come out and party with you guys this summer on the pristine waters of Hereford Inlet, sipping on keystone light as we watch the sun go down on yet another pesky native species. Sounds killer. Gonna need a ride though.... Im to young to drive.

[BigSexy]

Tough guy I see. Hide behind a keyboard and throw stones. Apparently my immature teenager comment holds true. Get your daddy to give you a ride out to the Island this summer and look for "Bigmeatball". I'll show your mommy and daddy how they should beat you until you grow up:cool:

[Putem OnIce]

I don't think this guy (kid?) will be around to troll much longer.
Besides, the "ignore user" function works perfectly.

[BigSexy]

I don't think this guy (kid?) will be around to troll much longer.
Besides, the "ignore user" function works perfectly.

I kinda like him. He has some spunk:cool:. Just needs to learn how to debate his point withou insults and disrepectful language. A quick lesson in manners is all he needs:cool:

[Reel Nice]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

That's what I'm talking about Capt Phil....lets go stick our flag in the sand and claim it as our own:):) Let's take it back Goonie Style!!!

"HEEEEEYYY YOOOOOOOUUU GUUUUYYYYS!!!!!!"

Storm the beaches of Champagne Island I say!! Let's do it!!! I'm with ya all the way!!!!!!

I'm with you guys..I never see any birds around when the sandbar is covered with water..F$#k those birds. I'm ready to storm the beaches..:D

[Hardtop]

Any idea how to make noise about this? I leave at the shore all my life in the summers and a few winters. Still down there as much as possible now. I have lot’s of great memories as do my kids.

[SaltyJ]

Any idea how to make noise about this?

I know, lets lob grenades on the island while we run circles around it with a local armada of boats and waverunners, reminiscent of a scene from Water World! My favorite movie!

No stupid Birds + the kids can play in the craters!:D

[Fishpicker]

For Gods sake can't we stop thinking of ourselves for one second?
The State wants to close an insignificant sandbar because a threatened species nests there and everybody is in an uproar??
There is over a hundred miles of open public beach in New Jersey and we can't concede Champagne Island?

I would rather have Black Skimmers than drunken Shoobs on that sandbar anyway.
Go get drunk and swim at one of the other 2 dozen beaches in Wildwood or Stone Harbor that doesn't have a threatend species nesting on it.

Shouldn't we (as sportsmen and women) at least pretend to care about conservation?

We have encroached upon every other available nesting site for these birds...we can't let them have this sandbar?



Threated ?????? Says Who ????????? Please do some independent research.

I've been trying to warn people about this for years. I will say it again Yesterday it was striking a blow to the watermen ( Taking the Horseshoe crabs from us ) due to the birds. Today it is closing a very popular destination away from all walks of live. Tomorrow Closing the beaches to beach goers of all sorts ( Surf fishermen , bathers , surfers ).

If you don't think that won't happen DON"T kid yourself !!!!! 10 years ago we weren't concerned about where to get our bait. 5 years ago CI was just a place to go have fun. The funny thing is in the case that Larry and the Audubon used against us they swore up and down that the bird ONLY Flock to the beaches along the bay. I don't know much but I do know CI is no where near the Bay. According to Larry there are no birds alone the ocean NONE ZERO NOTHING !!!!

Now I hope that you all understand why I hate to see groups like the JCAA and NJOA cooperate with A$$holes like the Audubon and the Literal society.

I say fight this all the way to Washington Oh BTW the Bird are not indigenous to NJ that is very key in this debate. NJ needs to Butt out based upon that.

Max P........ the governing body over the Horseshoe crabs (ASMFC ) says that there is no reason for a ban on the crabs. The Fish Game and Wildlife Endangered species dept say that there is no reason for them to list the birds , there science does not support it. Thats FACT ya can't debate that !!!!

[Partnership]

Very sad to see it closed too. The family and I would go there a few times and year and I watched from the shore of Anglesea when it was 1st being made- it was only used at low tide and completely covered from mid-tide on up.

Fishpicker- can you give me a call at the shop on Wednesday. 856-691-8051. Thanks Capppy.

[surfrod22]

I have never been to Champagne Island but this is absolutely insane. When will people wize up to all this environmentalist bull$hit. At its core its never really about saving wildlife, its about controlling humans. This was once a free country.

Here is how they will enforce it.....check this out.
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/133618.html

[always fishing]

Threated ?????? Says Who ????????? Please do some independent research.

I've been trying to warn people about this for years. I will say it again Yesterday it was striking a blow to the watermen ( Taking the Horseshoe crabs from us ) due to the birds. Today it is closing a very popular destination away from all walks of live. Tomorrow Closing the beaches to beach goers of all sorts ( Surf fishermen , bathers , surfers ).

If you don't think that won't happen DON"T kid yourself !!!!! 10 years ago we weren't concerned about where to get our bait. 5 years ago CI was just a place to go have fun. The funny thing is in the case that Larry and the Audubon used against us they swore up and down that the bird ONLY Flock to the beaches along the bay. I don't know much but I do know CI is no where near the Bay. According to Larry there are no birds alone the ocean NONE ZERO NOTHING !!!!

Now I hope that you all understand why I hate to see groups like the JCAA and NJOA cooperate with A$$holes like the Audubon and the Literal society.

I say fight this all the way to Washington Oh BTW the Bird are not indigenous to NJ that is very key in this debate. NJ needs to Butt out based upon that.

Max P........ the governing body over the Horseshoe crabs (ASMFC ) says that there is no reason for a ban on the crabs. The Fish Game and Wildlife Endangered species dept say that there is no reason for them to list the birds , there science does not support it. Thats FACT ya can't debate that !!!!

Was wondering, what was yesterday? And how do these groups always seem to get this stuff done without the general public ever hearing about it?

[always fishing]

Very sad to see it closed too. The family and I would go there a few times and year and I watched from the shore of Anglesea when it was 1st being made- it was only used at low tide and completely covered from mid-tide on up.

Fishpicker- can you give me a call at the shop on Wednesday. 856-691-8051. Thanks Capppy.

When was it made? Thought it was 100's of years old?

[jp brescia]

I have been anchoring up at champagne island (we just call it the sandbar) just about every weekend for the past 30 years. My children will be the one's most impacted by a closing. The kids learn valuable lessons out there about enjoying nature and taking care of it. It is very rare to see anyone leave trash or disrupt the natural beauty of the sandbar. Anyone who visits the sandbar knows it shifts every year and changes size. There have been years when there is barely a bar at high tide. Also, most boaters don't want to walk far so they set up camp at the waters edge and not in the middle of the bar which is where the birds nest. i will support an "anchor in" any day it is planned. let's do it....

[Fishpicker]

Was wondering, what was yesterday? And how do these groups always seem to get this stuff done with out the general public never hearing about it?


All this Bird Bull Shit started with us the Comm sector. During the Whitmen administration. We have watched 3 or 4 different types of birds revolve around this. It is all BS !!!!!!

The Audubon and groups like them are terrorist. They have the money and manpower. Look at it like this You guys have the RFA We have GSSA if both of us pooled our resources we wouldn't make a pimple on the Enviro's A$$es. They just keep coming and coming , You guys aren't seeing a 1/3 of what happens to us each and everyday. If it's not the birds it's turtles or mammals or something as simple as us pumping out our RWS water.

[always fishing]

All this Bird Bull Shit started with us the Comm sector. During the Whitmen administration. We have watched 3 or 4 different types of birds revolve around this. It is all BS !!!!!!

The Audubon and groups like them are terrorist. They have the money and manpower. Look at it like this You guys have the RFA We have GSSA if both of us pooled our resources we wouldn't make a pimple on the Enviro's A$$es. They just keep coming and coming , You guys aren't seeing a 1/3 of what happens to us each and everyday. If it's not the birds it's turtles or mammals or something as simple as us pumping out our RWS water. So we should just give up.......?

[Fishpicker]

So we should just give up.......?


F no write letters and go to any and every meeting that pertains to the environment.

[insomniac]

You guys aren't seeing a 1/3 of what happens to us each and everyday. If it's not the birds it's turtles or mammals or something as simple as us pumping out our RWS water.

As much as I didn't want to, I went to a meeting at the wetlands institute in Stone Harbor.
It was a Seirra Club meeting.
I just happened to see it in the paper. God, it was unbearable, but I needed to see it.
I wanted to see what kind of crap they were up to in my own backyard here. They were trying to establish a chapter here in Cape may county.

I'll tell you it's scary. These peoples' thoughts on everything we hold dear out there.... they are really totally out of touch with what is going on, even in the marsh.

They are not here to help things; ie.. plant oyster beds / sea grass restoration.
All I heard was restrict, restrict, restrict.
Funny thing was I remember they saw an osprey or something fly by the institute and they jumped up to see it like it was the last one that they were ever going to see.
I see more than a hundred a week. We all do.
I think these people hardly WALK past their driveways to get to their subaru foresters.
Thats about how much of the natural enviroment they imerse themsleves in.
I think alot of these people lead very guilty lives and they have to compensate
for their ill deeds somehow.

[Fishpicker]

I went to a meeting at the wetlands institute in Stone Harbor.
It was a Seirra Club meeting. I just happened to see it in the paper.
I wanted to see what they were up to in my own backyard here. They were trying to establish a chapter here in Cape may county.

I'll tell you it's scary. These peoples' thoughts on everything we hold dear out there.... they are really totally out of touch with what going on even in the marsh.

They are not here to help things; ie.. plant oyster beds / sea grass.
All I heard was restrict, restrict, restrict.
Funny thing was I remember they saw an osprey or something fly by the institute and they jumped up to see it like it was the last one that they were ever going to see.
I see a hundred a week. We all do.
I think these people hardly WALK past their driveways to get to their subaru foresters. That about how much natural enviroment they imerse themsleves in. I think alot of these people lead very guilty lives.



They are social Terrorist.

The funnest thing I saw from a tree hugger was last year. There was a shark meeting in say last sept up in BL. There was myself one other Comm three aquariums guys a guy from the JCAA and about 5 tree huggers.

The tree huggers spoke very well , ( i have no problem with there opinion ) This hottie girl gets up and give her speal saying how we fin and all this other horse shit. She kept saying with a tear in her eye we need to think about tomorrow blah blah. After the meeting myself and the other Comm approached the girl and her boyfriend to explain the facts and our laws. She kept singing her battle cry all the way to her GIANT pimped out Cadillac escalate. Yes the same car that get -3mpg. Go figure !!!!

[BigSexy]

This is from my brother in law. An avid sportsman, Surf Fishing, Kayak Fishing, Inshore and Offshore, Spearfishing, Duck Hunting and Deer Hunting.


If you have received this call to action, it’s because I know you treasure the access we have to our community’s beaches and other undeveloped areas as much as I do. The time we spend in these surroundings with our friends and family boating, fishing, beach combing, surfing, kayaking, barbequing, and taking a break from the stresses of life, while nurturing closer personal and community relationships, is invaluable and irreplaceable. Many of you may already be aware, the first domino has fallen in the struggle to keep our undeveloped coastal areas open to public use. Please use this link to view an article from the Press of Atlantic City regarding the closure of Champagne Island. http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/185/story/132234.html

In light of the closure, the concern I and others have is this. The closure of Champagne Island will displace the population that in recent years has inundated the island with boats and PWCs landing there, and the associated people enjoying the island, unfortunately not always with the utmost respect for the wildlife inhabitants. The logical location for the displaced public to continue the same types of activity will be the protected side of the Point in Stone Harbor. This area is well suited to beach landings of power boats and PWCs. The huge influx of human activity will obviously create land use issues resulting in clashes between birders, PWC users, fisherman, etc. The increased activity will no doubt be documented and cited as a reason to ban humans from the area of the Point.

The Point has traditionally been open to foot traffic at all times and vehicle traffic by permit for a period from approximately September to May, with the exception of limited area closures for wildlife protection. For the most part, these area closures have been reasonable and still allowed for motor vehicle use and public enjoyment of the Point. With the inevitable increase in land users, this may not remain true.

I have been enlightened by sources involved in past dealings with the NJ DEP and other state, as well as federal authorities, that the closure of Champagne Island and the Point areas is an ultimate goal of groups with a limited and self-serving definition of what those areas should be used for. In summary, the writing is on the wall, one area used for recreation has been closed, and another seems to be in the cross hairs of groups whose mindset is to limit use of public lands to only their interests.

The answer is not to collectively punish all who have a right to enjoy open spaces, because of the irresponsible activates of a handful of individuals. Public education and proactive enforcement of existing measures have not been employed as a solution to the issues at hand. Nor has the voice of the public been heard.

To date the overwhelming voices our local, state, and federal governments have heard are only the voices of those who seek to limit use of our public lands to strictly the activities and accesses deemed appropriate by their interests. If this trend continues we will soon be reading an article about the Point and other open spaces being stolen from the public.

For a horrifying example of what hardships can be inflicted on a community such as ours by limited interest groups combined with government inefficiency, look to the situation presently facing residents of Hatteras Island, NC. The coastal way of life and local economy of Hatteras Island are in grave jeopardy, threatened by the very same groups that have campaigned to, and succeeded in, limiting and prohibiting public land access in Cape May County.
Please see:
http://www.obpa.org/
http://capehatterasapa.org/

I propose group attendance of the next Stone Harbor Borough Council meeting. Borough Council needs to be made aware of the issues Stone Harbor will be facing as a result of the shifted focus on the Point area. Borough Council also needs to know that there are parties interested in local land use issues other then the groups who seek to abolish access to OUR open spaces. These areas belong to the public, not one or two limited interest groups. There is no reason a common ground can not be reached.

I believe the time has come to form a “grass-roots” organization dedicated to the issues at hand locally, and willing to lend support to organizations struggling with similar issues in other locations. The proposed organization will serve to show that not everyone who operates a vehicle on the beach, or other off-road venue, has a disregard for the wellbeing of nature, and not everyone who seeks to catch a fish for dinner, is an indiscriminate killer of wildlife. As outlandish as these statements may sound, that is the rhetoric limited interests groups are using to sway public opinion, and influence government.

If you agree with the concerns expressed here, PLEASE foreword this message to anyone you know who would share our concerns. A unified voice is the only way to fight for fair access to the areas that make the NJ coast a special place to live.

Please feel free to provide my contact information to any person or organization that you feel would be of assistance.

Thank you,
Gabe Berkey

[Eric G]

This is the beginning...

The NW Beach fill schedule for Fall 08 has in the draft permit a bird management plan. Very similar to Avalon & SIC 85th Street restrictions. If you want the money, you gotta have the bird(brain) plan.:eek:

Both Stone Harbor and NW can claim soveignty to Champangne Island. Unfortunately the liability goes with it. This is why it is the State's land.

[Bill22jack]

Ill go let me know when.

[surfrod22]

This is just the beginning. Say goodbye to Champagne Island. The next place to watch is Reeds Beach. That is one of the enviro nuts highest priority targets. My family has a home on the beach there and we fear it is only a matter of time. They have had their eye on Reeds Beach for years. Unfortunately its only a matter of time before we can't even use the beach in front of our own house. Mark my words...its coming.

[reelkid]

They tried to police the area last year just to get the dogs off, now they want the humans off. They did not have the man power to do it right and the state wanted some of the birders to police the area. They can beach their boat and kick everybody off. I heard this right from a game warden that was on the island last year.
LOOK OUT FOR THE RUMBLE AT THE ISLAND IN 2008
THE BIRDERS
VS
THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES FANS

[glennexit13]

They are not here to help things; ie.. plant oyster beds / sea grass restoration.
All I heard was restrict, restrict, restrict.
Funny thing was I remember they saw an osprey or something fly by the institute and they jumped up to see it like it was the last one that they were ever going to see.
I see more than a hundred a week. We all do.
I think these people hardly WALK past their driveways to get to their subaru foresters.
Thats about how much of the natural enviroment they imerse themsleves in.
I think alot of these people lead very guilty lives and they have to compensate
for their ill deeds somehow.

Truer words have never appeared on these forums.

[SaltyJ]

WAHHHHHHWAHHHHHHHWAHHHHHAHAHAHHAHHHHHHAAAAAa!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my god what will we do! If they shut down this crappy little bird loving sand spit that I like to drink at every now and then in the summer!?!?!??!!??!?! .......... :eek: yer takin' my freedims away!

Suck it kooks!:D

[SaltyJ]

This is just the beginning. Say goodbye to Champagne Island. The next place to watch is Reeds Beach. That is one of the enviro nuts highest priority targets. My family has a home on the beach there and we fear it is only a matter of time. They have had their eye on Reeds Beach for years. Unfortunately its only a matter of time before we can't even use the beach in front of our own house. Mark my words...its coming.

Mark my words... Thomas Paine could have given a crap about Reeds Beach! ...... apparently he wasn't into naked guys???? Good luck fighting off those "care about the environment" nuts! Nuts!

[SaltyJ]

They tried to police the area last year just to get the dogs off, now they want the humans off. They did not have the man power to do it right and the state wanted some of the birders to police the area. They can beach their boat and kick everybody off. I heard this right from a game warden that was on the island last year.
LOOK OUT FOR THE RUMBLE AT THE ISLAND IN 2008
THE BIRDERS
VS
THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES FANS


Bring on the rumble at the island!!!!!! Did you know birders pack heat yo! Dey crazy n chit!!!!! Best bet you betta stay home ya.

[Papa Bear 56]

Bring on the rumble at the island!!!!!! Did you know birders pack heat yo! Dey crazy n chit!!!!! Best bet you betta stay home ya. Where it safe and seasonally Irish....... Douche.

You would get you butt kicked bird brain:eek: you are sucking to much salt water in your intake;)