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Wilderness Management Plan

Wilderness Management Plan

42 Years Without a Wilderness Management Plan!

In 1982, Congress designated nearly two-thirds of Cumberland Island as federally-protected Wilderness (8,840 acres) and Potential Wilderness (11,718 acres)…..but to date, the National Park Service (NPS) has not implemented the Wilderness Management Plan required to protect it. 

Wild Cumberland believes development and implementation of a Wilderness Management Plan would establish the accountability, consistency, and continuity necessary for long-term stewardship. 

Ideally, it would provide for the use and enjoyment of wilderness in an intentional way — preserving it for present and future generations.

In 1982, Congress designated nearly two-thirds of Cumberland Island as federally-protected Wilderness (8,840 acres) and Potential Wilderness (11,718 acres)…..but to date, the National Park Service (NPS) has not implemented the Wilderness Management Plan required to protect it. 

Maintaining the integrity of Cumberland Island’s Wilderness ensures better physical protection for Georgia’s coastal communities — and for threatened and endangered species, such as the Loggerhead sea turtle and North Atlantic right whales, that rely on Cumberland for critical habitat.

Developing a Wilderness Management Plan contributes to goals of the “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve and restore US lands and waters by building resilience to a changing climate and collaborative conservation using scientific evidence and methodology.

IT’S THE LAW!

The Wilderness Act (specifically sections 4(b) and 2(a)) requires agencies to administer for the protection of each area and to preserve their wilderness character. 

Section 9 of the Seashore’s own enabling legislation states,

Within three years from the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall report to the President, in accordance with subsections 3(c) and 3(d) of the Wilderness Act (78 Stat. 890; 16 U.S.C. 1132 (c) and (d)), his recommendations as to the suitability or nonsuitability of any area within the national seashore for preservation as wilderness, and any designation of any such area as a wilderness shall be accomplished in accordance with said subsections of the Wilderness Act.”

It’s also outlined in NPS Management Policy (2006):

6.3.4.2 Wilderness Management Planning

“The superintendent of each park containing wilderness resources will develop and maintain a wilderness management plan or equivalent planning document to guide the preservation, management, and use of these resources. The wilderness management plan will identify desired future conditions, as well as establish indicators, standards, conditions, and thresholds beyond which management actions will be taken to reduce human impacts on wilderness resources. The park’s wilderness management plan may be developed as a separate document or as an action component of another planning document. Whether prepared as a stand-alone plan or as part of another planning document, all wilderness management plans must meet the same standards for process and content as specified in this section 6.3.4. Wilderness management plans will be supported by appropriate documentation of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. The plan will be developed with public involvement and will contain specific, measurable management objectives that address the preservation and management of natural and cultural resources within wilderness as appropriate to achieve the purposes of the Wilderness Act and other legislative requirements.”

The agency is provided clear direction in Director’s Order 41 (Wilderness Stewardship) and Reference Manual 41 (Wilderness Stewardship).

Finally, it is relevant to point out that “potential Wilderness” is required to be managed as wilderness according to law (PL 111-11) and National Park Service policy.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Wilderness areas are biodiversity hubs with rich ecological, scientific, educational, recreational, and cultural value.

Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest barrier island, and plays a key role in protecting Georgia’s precious 100 miles of coastline from storm surge and flooding — which are increasing in both severity and frequency due to sea level rise and more severe storms. 

If the Wilderness is not properly maintained, it will provide less protection for the 800 species of flora and fauna inhabiting the island – not to mention vulnerable coastal communities such as St. Marys and important structures like Kings Bay.

We’re already starting with a “deficit” – any Wilderness Management Plan developed now will be derived from a baseline that has already incurred more than 40 years’ of neglect and intrusion.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Developing and implementing a Wilderness Management Plan aligns with current local, state, and federal efforts to benefit species, habitat, and enhanced stewardship of land and water resources. 

It is also required for operating, managing, and preserving resources as authorized by law.

Join our effort to ensure the Wilderness of Cumberland Island National Seashore is protected.
Our future depends on it. 

Request a Wilderness Management Plan from the Department of Interior

Dear Department of Interior,

In 1982, Congress designated nearly two-thirds of Cumberland Island as federally-protected Wilderness and Potential Wilderness – but to date, the National Park Service (NPS) has not implemented the Wilderness Management Plan required to protect it.

As trustee of this invaluable natural resource, the National Park Service has a fundamental responsibility to ensure the preservation and management of wilderness areas for current and future generations.

The development and implementation of a Wilderness Management Plan would establish the accountability, consistency, and continuity necessary for long-term stewardship. Ideally, it would provide for the use and enjoyment of wilderness in an intentional way — preserving it for present and future generations.

The Cumberland Island Wilderness plays a critical role in regional and global biodiversity, connectivity, and critical ecological and evolutionary processes. Maintaining the integrity of Cumberland Island’s Wilderness ensures better physical protection for Georgia’s coastal communities — and for threatened and endangered species, such as the Loggerhead sea turtle and North Atlantic right whales, that rely on Cumberland for critical habitat.

The Seashore hosts more than 70,000 visitors annually, offering a Wilderness experience unlike any other in the US. Here, the public can explore a mosaic of beaches and dunes, maritime oak and pine forests, estuaries, freshwater wetlands, and salt marshes. These diverse ecosystems support more than 800 species of flora and fauna, bringing birders and nature lovers from across the country to Georgia’s coast.

Developing a Wilderness Management Plan contributes to goals of the “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve and restore US lands and waters by building resilience to a changing climate and collaborative conservation using scientific evidence and methodology.

The Wilderness Act (specifically sections 4(b) and 2(a)) requires agencies to administer for the protection of each area and to preserve their wilderness character.

Cumberland Island Wilderness has never fully received or benefited from the protections established by Congress 42 years ago. This undermines its intent and long-term conservation goals, and has left the Wilderness vulnerable to conflicting interests and degradation.

Cumberland Island\’s unique ecological and cultural significance makes it imperative to establish a comprehensive Wilderness Management Plan without further delay.

This plan should outline strategies to protect the island\’s wilderness character, manage visitor use sustainably, and conserve its diverse wildlife and habitats.

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DID YOU KNOW?

The National Park Service has LOTS of resources devoted to Wilderness planning —we’ve linked to many of them for you below.

  1. Wilderness Stewardship Plan Handbook
  2. 2018 Wilderness Stewardship Planning Toolkit
  3. Park Planning Program Website
  4. National Park Service Wilderness Planning Policy
  5. Keeping It Wild 2
  6. Multiple Examples of NPS Wilderness Plans - To find in-progress and completed wilderness planning documents in “Search Criteria” select “Project Type”, then “Wilderness Plan” in drop down menu.
  7. Wilderness Stewardship Planning Resource Brief

Read President Reagan’s statement on the 1982 Cumberland Island Wilderness designation.

FAQ’s


WHY IS A WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT PLAN IMPORTANT? 

A Wilderness Management Plan establishes long-term goals and objectives, identifies issues and opportunities, and provides a decision-making framework and appropriate actions to preserve and, if necessary, improve wilderness character now and into the future. 

The plan also identifies desired conditions and establishes indicators, measures, and standards beyond which management actions would be taken to maintain or restore desired conditions for wilderness character. Without it, our understanding of the current state of the Wilderness is limited — as is our ability to respond rapidly to its threats.

WHY HASN’T A PLAN ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED? 

A plan was drafted in 2000, but never approved and implemented. 

Now, 24 years later, any NEW Wilderness Management Plan will start from a baseline encompassing the 40 years of weak or non-enforcement and the existing intrusions on the Wilderness character that have incurred.

We can’t speak for the agency, but here is a relevant excerpt from the agency’s 2006 Management Policies:

From the NPS’ Cumberland Island National Seashore Foundation Document (2014): 

WHAT HAPPENS TO POTENTIAL WILDERNESS?

Read “PROCEDURES FOR CONVERTING POTENTIAL WILDERNESS TO DESIGNATED WILDERNESS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

View the Cumberland Island National Seashore General Management Plan (1984)