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Draft Recommendations as of April 24, 2023 Workgroup RecommendationWork group composition is not sufficient to consider social and economic justice issues – additional representation is needed; work group has not yet begun to discuss this topic so recommendations on this topic are not provided in this list Related Resource ConcernSocial and Economic JusticeRelated Current Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationDevelop and implement adaptive management framework for continued monitoring and evaluation of thresholds for ecological impacts. Related Resource Concerns•Night sky (Artificial Lighting) •Soundscape (Noise) •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat •Air quality •Water quality •Fertilizers •Pesticides Related Current Park ManagementDOI and NPS have an adaptive management framework. There is not currently adaptive management plan in place for Sandy Hook; NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program and park monitor some vital signs at Sandy Hook to inform long-term management. Work Group RecommendationRequire native plantings and provide tenants with a list of approved species and parameters relative to vegetation planting. Related Resource Concern•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat •Fertilizer Related Current Park ManagementMost leases will not have land assignment; Workgroup RecommendationPotential impacts of expanded leasing should be considered over the entire Sandy Hook Unit and not limited to the Fort Hancock Post area. Related Resource ConcernNone Related Current Park ManagementFor NHPA Section 106, the area of potential effects is the “geographic area within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties”; The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires evaluation of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts. Workgroup RecommendationEvaluate a range of possible environmental impacts given changes in diurnal activity in the park. Related Resource Concerns•Night sky •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat •Air quality •Water quality •Fertilizers •Pesticides Related Current Park ManagementLessees will be subject to same access restrictions as other visitors with exception of 24/7 access to leased property; current existing restrictions include public operation hours (6 am – 9 pm) except by permit, public access is restricted to trails, dune cuts and designated areas, seasonal restrictions, and closures. Workgroup RecommendationResearch and identify impacts on wildlife (i.e., sound impacts on turtles; human disturbance on bald eagles and seal haul-outs). Related Resource Concerns•Soundscape •Night sky •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat Related Current Park ManagementBest available existing science is used to identify and assess potential impacts of any proposed park project. Workgroup RecommendationUse scientific literature and engage experts to inform possible need for quiet zones (both light and noise impacts).Related Resource Concerns•Soundscape •Night sky •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park ManagementBest available information is used to identify and assess potential impacts for projects as part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of proposed federal actions. Workgroup RecommendationDevelopers should bear costs associated with mitigation and adaptive management for impacts from leasing program [Note: entity holding lease from NPS is lessee. In case of Stillman proposal, lessee is also the developer. Lessee may sublease only with NPS review and approval of sublease document.] Related Resource Concerns•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat •Air quality •Water quality •Fertilizers •Pesticides •Night sky
Related Park ManagementLessees will be responsible for costs of adaptive rehabilitation, building maintenance and utilities and some cost recovery charges for trash management, snow removal, etc. Workgroup RecommendationInclude lighting restrictions in leases Related Resource Concerns•Night sky •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife
Related Park ManagementAll park projects including leasing, are reviewed for compliance with night sky best management practices. Workgroup RecommendationMonitor avian collisions (light, windows and reflections) to inform management of leasing related light impacts on migratory and resident birds; asking NPS lessee to fund; assess any ecosystem change and/or diversity. Related Resource Concerns•Night sky •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationInclude noise restrictions in leases. Related Resource Concerns•Soundscape •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park ManagementSandy Hook quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am; Workgroup RecommendationManage lease related waste to avoid attracting predator and negative impacts on other wildlife; Related Resource Concerns•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park ManagementPark conducts predator management to benefit shorebird nesting T&E species Workgroup RecommendationEducate lessees and residents of impacts of feeding feral cats and wildlife (particularly species of concern and threatened and endangered species). Related Resource Concerns•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park ManagementFeeding wildlife (including feral cats) is prohibited [CFR 36 Chapter 1 Section 2.2(2)]; Introducing wildlife, fish or plants into a park area is prohibited [36 CFR Chapter 1 Part 2.2(2); CFR 36 Chapter 1 Part 2.15 and the Superintendent’s Compendium provide regulations regarding pets Workgroup RecommendationProtect and manage existing forests Related Resource Concerns•Habitat •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park Management2014 GATE General Management Plan established management zones – no leasing or development within natural zone or sensitive resource subzone Workgroup RecommendationAdaptive reuse of vacant buildings may eliminate habitat for some species (i.e., additional nesting platforms for osprey; displacement of racoons and opossum from buildings). Related Resource Concerns•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat Related Current Park ManagementPark has installed numerous Osprey platforms; osprey nests can only be removed from building with prior park permission between September 1 and March 13; Workgroup RecommendationManage mowing frequency and timing (seasonality) to manage risks to birds Related Resource Concerns•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife •Habitat Related Current Park ManagementLessees generally do not have land assignment – NPS will continue to manage turf within Fort in area of leased buildings.Workgroup RecommendationManage impacts from campfires or fireplaces from leased buildings Related Resource Concerns•Air quality Related Current Park ManagementLeases do not allow fires in fireplaces; lessees generally do not include outdoor spaces Workgroup RecommendationMonitor air quality to track and inform management of increased vehicle emissions and other air pollution related to leasing; in park monitoring to detect change due to leasing; rules to restrict idling. Related Resource Concerns•Air quality Related Current Park ManagementAir quality is a regional issue, Sandy Hook is in a non-attainment area; do not currently have any in-park air quality monitoring. Workgroup RecommendationLimit number of vehicles lessees can have and permit lessee parking; limit types of vehicles that lessees can have (i.e., do not allow big RVs) Related Resource Concerns
AIr Quality Related Current Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationDo not use anti-coagulant bait traps for pest control Related Resource ConcernsPesticides Related Current Park ManagementNPS policies do not allow use of anti-coagulant bait for pest control; all use of pesticides in any NPS unit must be approved and tracked through Pesticide Use Proposal System Workgroup RecommendationProvide electric charging stations to encourage electric vehicles; grid capacity Related Resource Concerns•Air Quality •Soundscape Related Current Park ManagementGATE is beginning to transition some of park fleet to electric vehicles; potential project under funding consideration to update electrical system Workgroup RecommendationUnderstand adequacy of current and future maintenance of stormwater facilities given climate change Related Resource ConcernsWater Quality Related Current Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationEnsure lessees understand risks of applying fertilizers at certain times of years Related Resource Concerns•Fertilizers •Water quality Related Current Park ManagementFertilizers are not used for routine lawn care; proposed fertilizer use is reviewed as part of project compliance and evaluated for need and application rate and timing of application Workgroup RecommendationEvaluate if increased tenancy can be supported by existing infrastructure (water, sewer, electric, storm water, etc.) Related Resource ConcernsWater quality Related Current Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationManage Sandy Hook to protect native habitats and prevent/reduce/mange non-native invasive species (e.g., prohibit marinas or mooring to prevent aquatic invasives) Related Resource Concerns•Habitat •Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife Related Current Park ManagementNone Workgroup RecommendationManage waste oil disposal from food establishments Related Resource ConcernsNone Related Current Park ManagementUS Public Health Services inspects all park food service operations Workgroup RecommendationDo not use non PFA containing fire extinguishers and firefighting foams Related Resource ConcernsWater quality Related Current Park ManagementNPS guidance restricts purchase of PFA fire extinguishers and firefighting foams |
Last updated: February 18, 2025