Portage Island National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 5

5 Management approaches

This section and the following table contain a description of all the possible approaches that could be used in the management of the Portage Island National Wildlife Area (NWA). However, management actions will be determined during the annual work planning process and will be implemented as human and financial resources allow.

Table 6: Management approaches for Portage Island NWA.
Level of Priority: (1)= from 0 to 3 years; (2)= from 4 to 6 years; (3)= from 7 to 10 years.
Management challenge and/or threat	Goal and objective(s)	Management approach (actions, including level of priority^{Footnote1of table 6})
Tourism activities such as bird watching, adventure tourism, camping and open campfires present the potential for significant disturbance to wetland and forest habitat birds.	Objective 1(a): Monitor habitats in the NWA for change and disturbance due to human activities. Objective 1(b): Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of pollution and contaminated sites within the NWA. Objective 2(a): Document the number and nature of incidents where evidence exists of illegal activities within Portage Island NWA and report to the Wildlife Enforcement Division, therefore reducing or eliminating their occurrence in the NWA.	Monitor evidence of unregulated public use (such as illegal camping and open camp fires) and related disturbances (1). Document the number and nature of incidents where evidence exists of illegal activities within the NWA and report to Wildlife Enforcement Division (1). Communicate the protected status of Portage Island NWA and the possible cumulative environmental impacts of this aspect of the industry on remote islands to local tourism operators and the provincial department responsible for tourism (2).
Domestic pets, particularly dogs, accompanying day visitors to offshore islands in the summer months disturb habitats and wildlife. Dogs are especially harmful to Piping Plover.	Objective 1(a): Monitor habitats in the NWA for change and disturbance due to human activities. Objective 1(c): Survey and monitor Piping Plover use and nesting success on the island. Objective 2(a): Document the number and nature of incidents where evidence exists of illegal activities within Portage Island NWA and report to the Wildlife Enforcement Division, therefore reducing or eliminating their occurrence in the NWA.	Monitor evidence of unregulated public use (1). Conduct annual surveys for Piping Plover supported by Canadian Wildlife Service Atlantic Region species at risk staff (1). Conduct and report on inspection visits, site monitoring and Piping Plover surveys as required, in collaboration with Wildlife Enforcement Division (1).
Existing facilities and potential expansion of shellfish aquaculture sites in close proximity to the NWA can cause damage to habitats and conflicts with wildlife within the NWA.	Objective 1(a): Monitor habitats in the NWA for change and disturbance due to human activities, storm surges and sea-level rise. Objective 1(b): Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of pollution and contaminated sites within the NWA.	Monitor evidence of unregulated public use and pollution (1). Minimize or eliminate discarded by-products found on Portage Island NWA (2). Communicate the ecological sensitivity of Portage Island NWA to the provincial department responsible for aquaculture (1).
Habitat change due to unauthorized activities in the NWA is of concern. Natural dune succession can be severely altered by disturbances such as fire and off-road vehicle damage.	Objective 1(a): Monitor habitats in the NWA for change and disturbance due to human activities, storm surges and sea-level rise. Objective 1(c): Survey and monitor Piping Plover use and nesting success on the island. Objective 2(a): Document the number and nature of incidents where evidence exists of illegal activities within Portage Island NWA and report to the Wildlife Enforcement Division, therefore reducing or eliminating their occurrence in the NWA.	Conduct macro-habitat monitoring through aerial photography and remote sensing every 10 years (2). Conduct habitat monitoring supported by inspection visits every 2 years, periodic botanical studies, and focused research on coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Changes will be tracked but cannot be economically mitigated (2). Conduct inspection visits and site monitoring in collaboration with Wildlife Enforcement Division (1).
Sea-level rise due to climate change will likely result in increased erosion and subsequent habitat changes in the NWA, including: significant habitat change and habitat loss from storm surges; loss of forested habitat but potential increase in Piping Plover habitat.	Objective 1(a): Monitor habitats in the NWA for change and disturbance due to human activities, storm surges and sea-level rise.	Monitor habitat for endangered species (Piping Plover) as well as potential habitat for colonial nesting birds. Periodic aerial photography allows for a comparison and evaluation of the rate of change due to erosion (1). Conduct site inspections to monitor micro-habitat changes such as availability of specific Piping Plover nesting habitat (2). Monitor botanical changes and plant succession related to changes in the geography of Portage Island (2).
The decommissioned Canadian Coast Guard lighthouse site is a contaminated site that could potentially harm the surrounding flora and fauna.	Objective 1(b): Monitor and mitigate potential impacts of pollution and contaminated sites within the NWA.	Conduct contaminated sites assessments as required (2). Leave contaminated sites of low risk undisturbed (1). Minimize habitat disturbance and additional site exposure to flora or fauna (1).

5.1 Habitat management

5.1.1 Forests

No requirement for forest management is anticipated. The unique character of Portage Island NWA is largely dependent on the natural plant succession within the dunes and the dynamic nature of this habitat. No erosion control measures are contemplated.

5.1.2 Alien and invasive plants

There are no immediate threats from alien or invasive plant species in Portage Island NWA. Site visits and periodic botanical surveys every two years will document changes to the flora in the NWA. Specific alien or invasive species will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

5.2 Wildlife management

No wildlife or habitat management or manipulation is anticipated. The unique habitat and fauna of Portage Island NWA is best conserved by minimizing or eliminating human disturbances. Many years ago, a forest fire ravaged the northern portion of the island. A similar fire in dry conditions would result in the loss of vegetated root mass, which is so important in binding and solidifying the sand dunes. The island is already very susceptible to erosion, and damage from fire would likely exacerbate the situation. The prohibitions on camp fires will be strictly enforced.

5.2.1 Species at risk

Active management for Piping Plover is not anticipated. Public compliance with the existing regulations will provide safe breeding habitat for this species.

5.3 Monitoring

Due to the remoteness of Portage Island NWA, the site will be visited at least once every two years for maintenance of regulatory signs and to conduct monitoring and inspections in accordance with the outlined goals and objectives for Portage Island NWA. Additional visits may be warranted to support specific studies and regulatory activities.

Effective and efficient monitoring requires careful planning and a coordinated approach. Monitoring will also be carried out in a manner that contributes to meeting species at risk recovery strategy and action plan objectives. Ongoing monitoring needs are as follows:

Habitat change, such as changes in plant composition of the habitat due to native, non-native, alien and invasive plant species, as observed in biennial site inspections.
Biological inventories, as observed in biennial site inspections.
Human use (camping, open fires, soil disturbance) that may require enforcement action, as observed in biennial site inspections.
Large-scale changes to vegetation can be monitored by reviewing the periodic aerial photography conducted by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy approximately every 10 years.

There are no public facilities on Portage Island, and any formal management requirements are directed to curtailing undesirable public use. The ongoing site inspection schedule, which includes maintenance of NWA regulatory signage, is presently adequate to monitor the island.

5.4 Research

Research activities will be considered for permitting when the results obtained through research have the potential for the following:

Improved understanding of Piping Plover habitat selection and factors influencing reproductive success.
Vegetation and habitat inventory and monitoring of change.
Seasonal habitat use (including nearshore) by waterbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and landbirds.
Improved understanding of the biological diversity of Portage Island NWA.

To obtain a permit to conduct research in Portage Island NWA and to receive instructions concerning guidelines for a research proposal, please contact:

Attention: Permits Officer
Atlantic Region
Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
17 Waterfowl Lane, P.O. Box 6227
Sackville NB E4L 1G6
or, by email:
Permits Officer email (Atlantic Region)

5.5 Public information and outreach

Although public use of the island is not encouraged, the importance of Portage Island NWA will be featured in the Canadian Wildlife Service "Heritage to Protect" poster series. A limited number of posters will be available to educators, students and the general public on request.

No formal education plan is in place or anticipated. Due to the unique character of Portage Island and its fragile dune habitat and to presence of an endangered species, the NWA will not be promoted as a tourism destination.

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Date modified:: 2017-08-07

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