Appendix A

Land Protection Plan

■ Introduction

■ Project Area Description

■ Status of Resources to be Protected

■ Proposed Action

■ Protection Options Considered

■ Acquisition Methods

■ Service Land Acquisition Policies

■ Coordination

■ Socioeconomic and Cultural Impacts

■ Current Service Ownership and Proposed Acquisition

Blueberry fields on the Petit Manan Point Division

USFWS photo
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-2 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Draft Land Protection Plan

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge

March 2004

I. Introduction

This draft Land Protection Plan (LPP) provides detailed information on our proposal to expand Petit

Manan National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) which lies along the Maine coast. The Refuge is part of the

National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(Service). It is the flagship refuge for the five-refuge complex we call Petit Manan National Wildlife

Refuge Complex. Our targeted audience with this document is affected landowners, interested individuals, organizations, Federal and State agencies, and local officials. This proposal is being distributed for a 60-day review and comment period. Comments we receive will help our Director make a

final decision regarding land acquisition. If approved, this LPP will allow us to acquire from willing

sellers, 87 nationally significant Maine coastal nesting islands (2,314.4 acres) and 153.3 acres of

important mainland habitat; a total of 2,467.7 acres.

Specifically, the purposes of this LPP are to:

• inform affected landowners, and other interested parties, about the resource protection needs,

location, size, and priority of the 87 nationally significant islands and mainland tracts we

propose to acquire;

• inform landowners, whose properties are proposed for acquisition, about our policies,

priorities, options, and methods for permanently protecting these lands;

• inform owners of inholdings within our currently approved boundary that we are interested in

acquisition, and to remind them of our policies, priorities, options, and methods for

permanently protecting these lands; and,

• emphasize the Service’s policy of acquiring land only from willing sellers.

The 87 islands we propose for Service acquisition are considered nationally significant using a set of

biologically-based criteria established by the Service, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and

Wildlife (MDIFW), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT).

These islands currently lack long-term protection by a conservation organization or agency. We

believe their high natural resource values merit inclusion into the Refuge System. As the Service

acquires these islands, we would manage them for their wildlife resources, emphasizing the protection

of Federal trust resources, such as Federal-listed endangered and threatened species and migratory

birds.
Project Area Description

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-3

II. Project Area Description

Existing Petit Manan NWR Complex Lands (Refuge Complex)

The Refuge Complex includes 3,735 acres of mainland and 42 coastal islands (3,826.2 acres) which

span the Maine coast. It supports an incredible diversity of biological communities ranging from

forested and non-forested offshore islands, to coastal salt marsh, open field, and upland mature

spruce-fir forest. These communities contain an impressive assemblage of native fish, wildlife, and

plant species, including seabirds, shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl, Neotropical migratory songbirds, raptors, and rare and declining plants. There are extensive intertidal habitats surrounding the

islands that support large populations of migrating, wintering, and breeding shorebirds, wading birds,

and water birds. Further, most of the islands provide undeveloped, predator-free terrestrial habitats

which are immensely valuable as stopover habitat for migratory birds. These same conditions provide

excellent nesting seabird habitat; in fact, we are internationally known for our nesting seabird protection and restoration program.

Five separate refuges comprise the Refuge Complex: Seal Island, Franklin Island, Pond Island, Cross

Island, and Petit Manan. Seal, Franklin and Pond islands are single island refuges. Cross Island

Refuge is a six island complex. Petit Manan Refuge is composed of 33 separate islands and three

mainland divisions: Petit Manan Point (2,195 acres; Town of Steuben), Gouldsboro Bay (607 acres;

Town of Gouldsboro), and Sawyers Marsh (933 acres; Town of Milbridge). A fourth mainland division, Corea Heath (400 acres; Town of Gouldsboro) is in the final stages of transfer from the U.S.

Navy. Each of the refuges was established for the protection and conservation of migratory birds.

The Refuge Complex headquarters is located in Milbridge, Maine. A second office is located in

Rockport, Maine. Refuge islands lie in the following 20 towns and 7 counties: the Towns of Steuben,

Milbridge, Jonesport, Addison, Machiasport, Roque Bluffs, and Cutler in Washington County; the

Towns of Tremont, Winter Harbor, Swan’s Island, and Gouldsboro in Hancock County; the Towns of

Boothbay, Southport, and South Bristol in Lincoln County; the Towns of Vinalhaven, Saint George,

and Friendship in Knox County; the Town of Phippsburg in Sagadahoc County; the Town of

Harpswell in Cumberland County; and the Town of Kittery in York County.

The Refuge Complex has acquired land through purchases, gifts from private individuals, land trusts,

state and national conservation groups, and transfers of title from the Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy.

Since 1993, we have acquired interests in 30 islands. All islands acquired since 1993 have become

part of Petit Manan Refuge, although they may lie closer to other Maine National Wildlife Refuges,

such as Rachel Carson and Moosehorn. Our Regional Director determined that the Service would

consolidate administration and expertise on off-shore Maine islands at Petit Manan Refuge Complex.

Attachment A, Maps 1-11, depicts current Refuge Complex lands and private inholdings yet to be

acquired within our currently approved boundary. Table 1 provides a summary of unacquired lands

which lie within the Petit Manan Refuge approved boundary.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-4 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Table 1: A summary of lands within the approved Petit Manan Refuge boundary still in other ownerships.

Upland Acres

Coastal Island (USGS

Mainland Division or Registry Number Number of Private acres above

Island # (CIREG)+ Town Land Tracts mean high tide)

Petit Manan Point Division N/A (mainland) Steuben 2 24.6

Sawyers Marsh Division * N/A (mainland) Milbridge 1 95.0

Corea Heath N/A (mainland) Gouldsboro 1 400.0

South Twinnie Island 59-161 Bar Harbor 1 25.9

Duck Island 61-181 Kittery 1 8.8

Metinic Island 63-584 Matinicus Isle 6 150.0

Metinic Green Island 63-585 Matinicus Isle 1 8.7

Hog Island 63-588 Matinicus Isle 1 9.4

Little Spoon Island 63-289 Isle Au Haut 1 29.0

Hart Island 63-833 St. George 1 13.2

East Douglas Island 79-919 Milbridge 1 6.5

Middle Douglas Island 79-918 Milbridge 1 21.0

West Douglas Island 79-917 Milbridge 1 11.0

Jordan’s Delight 79-922 Harrington 2 27.0

Major’s Head 79-920 Milbridge 1 2.5

Turkey Island 79-913 Milbridge 1 2.5

Bois Bubert Island 79-824 Milbridge 7 32.0

TOTAL 29 867.1

Notes:

# Acquisition has been on-going during development of this plan; Contact Refuge Headquarters for latest status

+ CIREG is a coastal island registry number; a unique identifier assigned by the State of Maine.

* This Sawyers Marsh Division acreage figure includes tidal saltmarsh
Project Area Description

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-5

Proposed Expansion Lands

Our proposal includes: 1) Service acquisition of 87 Maine coastal nesting islands (2,314.4 acres)

considered nationally significant, but currently not in permanent protection; and, 2) acquisition of

153.3 mainland acres in two tracts with significant wetland and migratory bird values. All acquired

lands would become part of the Petit Manan Refuge.

This proposal was developed in cooperation with MDIFW, TNC, MCHT, and after evaluating all

conservation partners ability to acquire and manage coastal islands. It will make a significant contribution to the conservation of Federal trust resources in coastal Maine. Each of the islands has either

nesting seabirds, including the only four known unprotected islands with historic nesting by the

Federal-listed (endangered) roseate tern; or, the most productive nests by the Federal-listed (threatened) bald eagle. Many also have nesting colonies of wading birds. All of these are Federal trust

species of conservation concern. Many islands also have rare plant communities; some are boreal

species that are more common to harsh Arctic conditions. All the islands provide important foraging

and resting habitat for migrating landbirds, shorebirds, wading birds and/or waterfowl. They are also

important for wintering bald eagles, black ducks, and sea ducks.

Table 2 presents an alphabetical listing of the 87 islands in our proposal with their nesting importance

noted. These 87 islands lie along the entire Maine coastline, from approximately Kittery to Cutler.

Attachment A Maps 1-11 portray in solid red the islands and mainland parcels proposed for Service

acquisition.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-6 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Table 2 The 87 nationally significant islands proposed for Service acquisition and the presence of nesting birds

CIREG1 NAME S2 W3 E4 R5 D6 CIREG NAME S W E R D

81-191 APPLEDORE I X X X 55-282 LT WHALEBOAT I X

59-036 BALD ROCK X 55-283 LT WHALEBOAT I (SE) X

63-802 BAR I X X 59-933 MAHONEY I X X

59-190 BEAN I X X 63-330 MOUSE X

59-925 BEAR I X 79-627 NASH I X X

79-626 BIG NASH I/CONE X X X 63-421 OAK I X

59-132 BLACK I X 59-800 OUTER PORCUPINE I X

59-110 BUCKSKIN I X 79-602 OUTER RAM I X

79-297 CAPE WASH I X 79-787 PINKHAM I X

59-790 COMPASS I X 59-347 POND I X

59-137 CONARY NUB X X 55-626 RAGGED I X X

63-505 CRANE I (S) X 63-323 RAM I X X

63-651 CROW I X 55-521 RAM I X X

59-448 CROW I X 63-731 RAM I X

65-280 DAMARISCOVE I X X 77-045 RAM I X

79-412 DUCK LD I X 79-623 RAM I X

81-010 EAGLE I X X 59-037 SALLY I X

79-843 EASTERN I X X 63-730 SAND I X

59-956 EASTERN MARK I X 59-836 SCRAGGY I X

79-464 FELLOWS I X 73-320 SEGUIN I X X

79-694 FISHERMAN I X X 79-514 SHEEP I X

65-274 FISHERMAN I X X 59-039 SHEEP I X

79-621 FLAT I X X 79-835 SHEEP I X

63-264 FOG I X 59-959 SHINGLE I X

81-101 FOLLY I X X 59-447 SISTER I (E) X

73-030 FREYEE I (W) X 59-673 SPECTACLE I X X

73-308 FULLER RK X 79-132 SPECTACLE I X X

59-398 GOOSEBERRY I X 79-763 STROUT I X

63-634 GRAFFAM I X 63-580 THE BROTHERS (C) X X

63-135 GREEN LD X 63-581 THE BROTHERS (S) X

65-200 HADDOCK I X 63-579 THE BROTHERS N X

63-701 HARBOR I X 79-632 THE LADLE X

59-450 HARBOR I X 59-160 THE TWINNIES(N) X

65-019 HOG I X 65-258 THREAD OF LIFE X X

79-393 HOPE I X 59-980 THREE BUSH I X

55-381 HOUSE I X 79-909 TRAFTON I X

63-626 LT HURRICANE I X 55-427 TURNIP I X

59-799 INNER PORCUPINE I X 63-901 TWO BUSH I X X

59-351 JOHNS I X 55-088 UPPER COOMBS I X

55-200 LANES I X 59-675 WESTERN I X X

63-655 LARGE GREEN I X X 81-015 WOOD I X X

63-418 LT GREEN I X X 63-917 WOODEN BALL I X X

63-654 LT GREEN I X X

79-462 LT RAM I X

59-772 LT SPRUCEHEAD X

1 coastal island registry number; a unique identifier established by the State of Maine

2 nesting seabirds

3 nesting wading birds

4 nesting bald eagles

5 historic roseate tern nesting

6 diversity; three or more seabird species nest on the island.
Status of Resources to be Protected

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-7

III. Status of Resources to be Protected

There are over 4,617 islands along the Maine coast. Biologists from Federal, State, and nongovernmental conservation organizations annually share data on seabird, wading bird, waterfowl, and

bald eagle nesting sites across these islands. From this total, 616 islands have historical or current

nesting populations of these birds. Of these 616 islands, 377 were determined to be nationally significant using the following criteria developed by the Service, MDIFW, TNC, and MCHT:

• 1% or more of the State population of a seabird species – common, roseate, or Arctic tern; Atlantic

puffin; razorbill; black guillemot; black-backed, herring, or laughing gull; common eider; great or

double-crested cormorant; or Leach’s storm-petrel – nests on the island; or

• 1% or more of the State population of a wading bird species – great blue heron, black-crowned

night heron, snowy egret, glossy ibis, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, or cattle egret – nests on

the island; or

• Federal-listed (endangered) roseate terns have historically nested on the island; or

• Federal-listed (threatened) bald eagles have productively nested on the island for several years (on

larger islands only the immediate area around the nesting site, approximately 125 acres, is

considered nationally significant); or

• the population of any one seabird species does not meet the 1% criterion, but;

• four or more seabird species nest on the island; or

• three species nest on the island, at least one of which has >0.5% of the statewide nesting

population; or

• the island has important seabird, wading bird, or eagle nesting habitat based on an annual

biological review of the data.

This last criterion recognizes the value of nesting seabird diversity on individual islands. It is also

important to recognize that these islands are valuable to a myriad of other Federal trust bird species

for roosting and migration habitat; many of which are Partners in Flight species of high conservation

concern (see below). Further, since most of the Maine coastal bald eagle pairs are year round residents, the forested islands provide important bald eagle wintering habitat.

Of the 377 islands considered nationally significant, 151 are currently lacking permanent protection.

Opportunities to permanently protect, manage, restore, and enhance nesting populations on these

islands are very limited to non-existent under present ownerships. The Service, MDIFW, and numerous conservation organizations are working cooperatively under a common goal to permanently

protect all 151 islands. The two most significant factors presently affecting island protection is the

lack of funding and available willing sellers.

Maine’s coastal nesting islands continue to face numerous threats and pressures. These include development of camps, homes, and other structures, recreational boating and kayaking, landings by commercial kayak and schooner tours, human presence during seabird nesting seasons, unleashed pets,

and cultural resource exploitation.

Seabirds, wading birds, waterfowl, and many bald eagle nesting pairs require undisturbed environments during the nesting season. Closing refuge islands to public use during the nesting season is a

management tool that we use to control this threat. Long-term protection of these nesting islands can

only be assured through conservation ownership and management.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-8 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Service acquisition of these islands will minimize the threats noted above, and accomplish goals and

objectives identified in many national and regional conservation plans and initiatives as described

below.

Roseate Tern Recovery Plan, Northeastern Population (First Update 1998)

The primary recovery objective in this plan is to increase the northeast nesting population (U.S. and

Canada) of the endangered roseate terns to 5,000 breeding pairs. This total should include at least six

large colonies (greater than 200 pairs) with high productivity. The roseate tern population in Maine

had a record high of 289 pairs recorded in 2001 with nesting on only 3-4 islands. Our current efforts

strive to increase the nesting population and geographic distribution of these species in Maine. Our

proposal would acquire four unprotected islands with documented historic nesting by roseate terns. In

addition, many of the islands in our proposal would provide roosting and future nesting areas for

these birds.

Northern Bald Eagle Recovery Plan (1983)

The primary recovery objective in this plan is to reestablish self-sustaining populations of bald eagles

throughout the northern states region, including Maine. Specifically, we would permanently protect

existing bald eagle nesting, foraging, roosting, and wintering areas on 35 islands. Attachment C

provides a detailed description of the value of these islands for bald eagles.

Partners In Flight Plan for Area 28-Eastern Spruce-Hardwood Forest (Draft June 2000)

This plan identifies migratory bird species and their breeding habitat in the eastern spruce-hardwood

forest physiographic area that are a high conservation concern and priority for management. Our

proposal would support priority species and habitat objectives identified in the plan for both the

mainland and coastal islands including:

• Maritime salt marsh and estuary: These objectives emphasize maintaining stable populations of

Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow, American black duck, northern harrier, and osprey. The American

black duck is a globally vulnerable Watch List species with a large proportion of its population in

this region. Coastal marshes, mud flats, and rocky shores are important to wintering black ducks

throughout the year. Exposed islands and high energy shorelines are especially important to

wintering black ducks in the Gulf of Maine because these areas remain ice free during the coldest

portions of the season. Our proposal would contribute to this objective through acquisition of these

habitat types.

• Mature conifer(spruce-fir) forest: These objectives emphasize maintaining stable populations of

black-throated green, northern parula and blackburnian warblers, spruce grouse, olive-sided

flycatcher, boreal chickadee, pine grosbeak, and red crossbill. In Maine, the black-throated green,

northern parula, and blackburnian warblers are focal species. Our proposal includes 35 forested

islands, totaling 796 acres, which would contribute to this objective.

• Coastal beach/dune/island/shoreline: These objectives emphasize maintaining stable populations

of common eider, roseate tern, common tern, Arctic tern, and osprey. The fifty-two seabird islands

in our proposal provide nesting habitat for eider and/or terns; and, all 87 islands would provide

undeveloped and relatively undisturbed migration, feeding, and roosting areas.
Status of Resources to be Protected

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-9

Birds of Conservation Concern 2002 Report and the Atlantic Northern Forest Bird Conservation

Region Blueprint (draft 2003)

This report was developed by the Service in consultation with the leaders of ongoing bird conservation initiatives and partnerships such as Partners in Flight, the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, and the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan. It fulfills the mandate of the 1988 amendment to

the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1980 requiring the Secretary of Interior, through the

Service, to “identify species, subspecies, and populations of all migratory non-game birds that, without additional conservation action, are likely to become candidates for listing under the Endangered

Species act of 1973.” The report includes numerous lists of birds of conservation concern, by national, regional, and landscape scales. We evaluated the list for the Atlantic Northern Forest Birds of

Conservation Concern (BCR 14) region, and a recently released draft blueprint for BCR 14 which

identifies key actions to implement in order to maintain healthy populations of birds native to the

region. In this region, sixteen bird species are listed, of these, the razorbill and common tern utilize

nationally significant coastal nesting islands. Five islands in our proposal have documented nesting

by these two seabird species; the majority of the others have potential nesting habitat for at least one

of the species.

North American Waterfowl Management Plan (update 1998) and Joint Ventures

The North American Waterfowl Management Plan identifies 13 priority waterfowl species. Seven of

these species use Refuge Complex lands and nearby habitat during migration; four species use refuge

lands for nesting; and, three use it for wintering habitat. These include Atlantic brant, mallard, American black duck, northern pintail, wood duck, ring-necked duck, and common eider. Our proposal

would permanently protect wetlands and ensure the continued existence of breeding, feeding, resting,

and wintering habitat for these species.

Implementation of the North American Waterfowl Plan is accomplished at regional levels within 14

habitat and 3 species Joint Venture partnerships. Our project area lies within the Atlantic Coast Joint

Venture which divides the entire Maine coast into five focus areas and establishes a waterfowl goal to

“protect and manage priority wetlands habitats for migration, wintering and production of waterfowl,

with special consideration to black ducks...” The Black Duck and Sea Duck Joint Ventures are also

relevant to our project. These plans emphasize the protection of migration and wintering habitats in

Maine which exists on most of the islands in our proposal. Our proposal also includes nesting habitat

for common eider.

Gulf of Maine Rivers Ecosystem Plan (1994)

This plan establishes priorities for the interagency Gulf of Maine Rivers Ecosystem Team. Our proposal would directly benefit two of the plan’s seven resource priorities. These include Resource

Priority #1: recovering populations of endangered and threatened species; and Resource Priority # 4:

protect, enhance, and restore populations of migratory bird species of special concern and their

habitats. The seabird species we have targeted in our proposal are unique to the Gulf of Maine and

permanent protection of these islands is an important priority of the Gulf of Maine Rivers Ecosystem

Team.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-10 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Northern Atlantic Regional Shorebird Conservation Plan (Draft 2002)

The goal of this plan is to maintain or enhance current or historic population levels and diversity of

shorebirds throughout the North Atlantic Region through cooperation and partnership with Federal,

State, private, and non-governmental conservation organizations. A separate habitat goal is to protect

and manage sufficient area of high priority habitats to support current populations of breeding, migrating, and wintering shorebirds. Our proposal would permanently protect breeding habitat for 6 of

the 38 shorebird species on the Species Priority List for the region. These include American oystercatcher, American woodcock, willet, spotted sandpiper, common snipe and killdeer. All 38 species

utilize the islands for foraging and roosting during migration. At least 12 islands in our proposal are

used extensively by shorebirds. The Sprague Neck mainland tract is considered by MDIFW as an area

that receives the highest concentration of migrating shorebirds in the State. Finally, our proposal

would provide important wintering habitat for purple sandpiper. To document this importance, we are

currently cooperating with MDIFW and Acadia National Park on a wintering habitat project for

purple sandpipers.

North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (Version 1, 2002)

This plan identifies 55 priority “species of concern” in North America. Our proposal supports the

plan’s species and population goal to have sustainable distributions, diversity, and abundance of

waterbirds throughout North America and to restore populations of priority species, including those in

decline. In addition, our proposal would support the plan’s habitat goal to secure, maintain, and

enhance sufficient high quality habitat throughout the year to achieve and maintain sustainable populations of waterbirds throughout North America.

Islands in our proposal support current or historic nesting by at least one of the following species on

the highly imperiled/high concern list: Arctic tern, roseate tern, snowy egret, and little blue heron.

These islands may also support nesting by the following two species on the moderate concern list:

black-crowned night heron and razorbill.

MDIFW Species Assessments and Management Plans

MDIFW has developed species assessment and management plans for migratory shorebirds, passerines, Atlantic puffin/razorbill, Leach’s storm-petrel, common eider, harlequin duck, waterfowl, island

nesting terns, and American bald eagle. Our proposal is consistent with these plans by supporting

permanent habitat protection for these species.

IV. Proposed Action

Islands

Our proposal is to acquire 87 islands (2,314.4 acres) selected from the list of 151 nationally significant coastal nesting islands in Maine currently lacking long-term protection.

These 87 islands will be acquired from willing sellers with support from our conservation partners.

We believe 87 islands represents a realistic objective over the next 15 years given the historic rate of
Proposed Action

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-11

acquisition. We will continue to work cooperatively with the State and our conservation partners to

seek ways of permanently protecting the remaining 64 nationally significant islands.

Attachment A includes maps 1-11 with our proposal in red. Attachment B provides an alphabetical

listing of the 87 islands along with other island information we thought would be of interest including:

• coastal island registry number (CIREG)

• town

• Attachment A map #

• current ownership (private, Coast Guard (CG) or U.S. Navy)

• acreage

• Service’s priority for acquisition

• proposed acquisition method

All of the 87 nationally significant coastal nesting islands in our proposal are privately owned except

Wood Island which is owned by the Coast Guard (See Attachment B). We placed each island in one of

two priorities for acquisition: Priority 1 or Priority 2. There are 52 islands identified as Priority 1.

These are either islands with nesting seabirds, wading birds, and waterfowl, or any unacquired island

parcels within our currently approved acquisition boundary. There are 35 islands identified as Priority

2. All of these are high productivity nesting bald eagle islands recommended by MDIFW.

We will use this priority ranking only in the circumstance where two islands are available for acquisition, and we only have funding to purchase one. These priorities do not reflect a landowner’s preference to sell the land. Since Service policy is to acquire land only from willing sellers, the order of

actual land acquisition will be based on availability.

Mainland

Our proposal is to acquire two mainland tracts of land totaling 153.3 acres that are not currently

within the approved Petit Manan Refuge boundary.

The 150-acre Sprague Neck parcel located in the Town of Cutler, Washington County is part of the

U.S. Navy’s former Computer and Telecommunications Station Center (Center). It is scheduled for a

no-cost transfer to the Department of the Interior (DOI) as a result of recently enacted legislation that

transferred most of the Center to the Town of Cutler. The parcel juts into Machias Bay and consists of

a headland connected to the mainland by a low-lying isthmus. This headland, consisting primarily of

spruce-fir forest, grades to a boulder/cobble beach along the upper shoreline. The shoreline along the

northern side, which is not exposed to the ocean, consists of a cobble bar with sandy beaches. At low

tide, the vast mud flats adjacent to these sand and gravel bars are exposed to provide important migration and roosting habitat for 19 species of shorebirds, including the black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, and the buff-breasted sandpiper. More migratory shorebirds are found on Sprague

Neck than anywhere else in Maine. A portion of this property has been designated an “ecological

reserve” by the U.S. Navy. This parcel lies within the Little Machias Bay, identified as a focus area in

the North American Waterfowl Management Plan Joint Venture and ranked second of 32 sites within

Maine in the Atlantic Coast Black Duck Wintering Habitat Plan.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-12 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The second mainland parcel is a 3.3 acre parcel of land referred to as the Litten tract. It is currently a

private tract surrounded by the Gouldsboro Bay Division of the refuge. This parcel contains a mixed

forest of hardwoods and softwoods and has a rocky shoreline along West Bay in Gouldsboro. Service

acquisition of this parcel will create an administratively intact boundary for this Division. Both

Sprague Neck and the Litten parcel are identified as Priority 1. All unacquired mainland parcels

within our currently approved refuge boundary are Priority 2.

V. Protection Options Considered

According to our Directors Order No. 124 (May 2000), we can acquire land and water interests such

as, but not limited to, fee title, easements, leases, and other interests. We considered and evaluated

each of these options before developing our proposed action, presented in detail in Attachment A and

B. Our policy is to acquire only the minimal interest necessary to meet the Refuge Complex goals and

objectives, and to acquire land only from willing sellers. We believe our proposed action is a costeffective way of acquiring the interest to provide the minimal level of protection needed to meet

objectives, given the information now available to us. As individual islands become available in the

future, however, changes in their protection option may be warranted to ensure we are using the best

option at that time.

Option 1. No Expansion of Current Service Boundaries; Emphasis on Protection by Others

Under Option 1, we would acquire 3 additional mainland parcels and 21 additional island parcels

within the existing approved refuge acquisition boundaries; we would not expand the Refuge boundary or protect additional islands. Our draft CCP/EIS evaluates this “no new expansion” option in

Alternative D.

Under this option, we would work with other conservation organizations and agencies, such as

MDIFW, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, and local

land trusts, to support their land protection and management programs of mutual interest and benefit

to the Service.

Our concern with this option is that although ownership by those groups affords some level of protection, it is unlikely they would have the financial or administrative resources to buy all 151 significant

lands, nor could they actively manage all these islands as needed to protect the Federal trust species

of concern. Without our contribution to land protection, many nationally significant islands would

likely be developed. These groups, and the public, have stated that Service acquisition and management is vital to ensuring the long-term protection of nationally significant coastal nesting islands.

In summary, we do not propose to utilize Option 1 because:

• It would detract from our goal to protect Federal trust resources on the Refuge Complex and

throughout Maine coastal nesting islands;

• It does not support the Refuge Complex’s vision, goals, and objectives; and

• It is not supported by the MDIFW and the majority of the public, partners, or elected officials.
Protection Options Considered

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-13

Option 2. Less-than-full Fee Acquisition by the Service

Under Option 2, we would protect and manage all islands by purchasing only a partial interest, typically in the form of a conservation easement. This option keeps the island in private ownership, while

allowing us some control over land use. We would have to determine, on a case-by-case basis, and

negotiate with each landowner, the extent of the rights we would be interested in buying. Those may

vary, depending on the configuration and location of the island, the current extent of development, the

nature of wildlife activities in the immediate vicinity, the needs of the landowner, and other considerations.

We propose to utilize conservation easements on the 35 islands identified in Attachment B. These

easements would consist primarily of purchasing development rights on bald eagle nesting islands.

Easements are most appropriate for use where:

• The island is large and only minimal management of the habitat is needed, and where development

is the greatest threat, such as those large islands that have bald eagles nesting on a small portion of

the island;

• The island owner wants to maintain ownership; or

• Only a portion of the parcel contains lands of interest to the Service.

Option 3. Full Fee Title Acquisition by the Service

Under Option 3, we would purchase fee title from willing sellers, thereby purchasing all rights of

ownership. This option provides us the utmost flexibility in managing priority islands, and ensures

permanent protection of nationally significant Federal trust resources. Generally, the islands we

would buy require active management. We propose fee acquisition when adequate land protection is

not assured under other ownerships; active land management is required; or the island is too small to

purchase a conservation easement. Attachment B identifies 52 seabird nesting islands that we propose

to acquire full fee title.

It should also be noted that as future transactions occur, a conservation easement could be converted

to full fee title acquisition. For example, when an owner is interested in selling the remainder of

interest in the island; when changes to zoning or land use regulation compromise resource values; or,

when our management objectives change so that more active management is necessary to meet goals

and objectives we may pursue full fee title. We will evaluate this need on a case-by-case basis.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-14 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

VI. Acquisition Methods

We typically acquire the Service interest using one of the following methods: (1) purchase (e.g.

complete title, or a partial interest, like a conservation easement), (2) donations, (3) exchanges, and

(4) transfers.

Purchase

We are proposing to purchase either a fee title or conservation easement on the 87 islands identified in

Attachment B, because at this time, we cannot anticipate opportunities for the other three methods.

Purchase involves buying a full (fee title) or partial interest (e.g., conservation easement) in land from

willing sellers, as our funding permits. Fee title ownership assures the permanent protection of resources, and allows the complete control necessary for habitat management activities, providing

public use opportunities, and managing public access.

As we mentioned under option 2 above, a conservation easement refers to the purchase of limited

rights from an interested landowner. For example, the landowner would retain ownership of the land,

and would sell certain rights, such as development rights, to the Service, after agreement by both

parties. Easements are property rights and are usually permanent. If a landowner sells his/her property, the easement continues as part of the title. Properties subject to easements generally remain on

the tax rolls, although the assessment may be reduced by the reduction of market value if the town

gives the landowner a tax abatement for the easement.

Our conservation easement objectives would assure the permanent protection of resources and allow

for the minimum control necessary for management activities. Generally we would purchase at least

the development rights and possibly the ability to control access during the nesting season.

Much of our funding to buy land in either fee or conservation easement comes from the Land and

Water Conservation Fund, which is composed of certain user fees, proceeds from the disposal of

surplus Federal property, the Federal motor boat fuels tax, and oil and gas lease revenues. About 90

percent of that fund now originates from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases. Another source of

funding is the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which is derived from Federal Duck Stamp revenue. We plan to primarily use the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase land identified in

our proposal.

Donation

We generally encourage donations in fee title or conservation easement for lands, providing that

management concerns, such as contaminants, are not a major issue. Presently, we are not aware of

any opportunities to accept donations.
Coordination

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-15

Exchange

We have the authority to exchange land in Service ownership for other land that has equal or greater

wildlife habitat value. Inherent in this concept is the requirement to get dollar-for-dollar value, with

occasionally, an equalization payment. Exchanges are attractive because they usually do not increase

Federal land holdings or require purchase funds; however, they also may be very labor-intensive, and

take a long time to complete. Presently, we are not aware of any opportunities to do an exchange.

Transfer

We have accepted transfer of military and Coast Guard lands declared excess, including most recently

four lighthouse islands, transferred to the Service under the Maine Lights Bill legislation in 1996.

Corea Heath is in the final stages of a negotiated transfer from the U.S. Navy. It is possible that we

could also acquire Sprague Neck as a transfer from the U.S. Navy. It is also possible that we could

acquire Wood Island as a transfer from the Coast Guard.

VII. Service Land Acquisition Policies

Once a new refuge acquisition boundary is approved by our Director, we contact affected owners to

determine if they are interested in selling their property. If an owner expresses an interest, an appraiser will be enlisted to appraise the property to determine market value. Once the appraisal process

is completed and funding becomes available, we can present an offer for the landowner’s consideration. Lands within the boundary do not become part of the Refuge System unless sold, donated, or

transferred to the Service.

The Service, like other Federal agencies, has the power of eminent domain (also termed condemnation). This is a rarely used approach, as the established policy is to work with willing sellers as funds

become available. According to the Directors Order No. 124, with prior Director’s approval and

notice to the landowner, we may use condemnation to clear title on unknown ownerships, settle a

price disagreement between the Service and a landowner on a property, or to prevent uses which

could cause irreparable damage to the resources that the refuge was established to protect. However,

our proposal assumes the long-standing willing seller only policy.

Appraisals would be conducted by the Office of Appraisal Services, National Business Center, Dept.

of Interior, and must be performed pursuant to the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land

Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. It is required by law to

appraise properties at market value, based on comparable sales of similar types of properties.

A landowner may choose to sell fee title interest to the Service, but retain the right to occupy an

existing residence, referred to as a “life-use reservation.” As its name implies, life-use reservations

apply to the seller’s lifetime, but they can also apply for a specific number of years. After the appraisal is approved, and prior to making the offer, we would discount from the appraised value of the

buildings and land, a value for life use based on the age of the owner, and the term of the reservation.

The occupant would be responsible for the upkeep on the reserved premises.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-16 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

VIII. Coordination

In 1993, we began to evaluate the need for additional protection of Maine coastal nesting islands. In

1995, we initiated an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to study the protection of significant

seabird, wading bird, and eagle nesting islands on Maine’s coast. This effort was officially announced

through a Federal Register Notice of Intent.

Throughout 1995, four public forums and six public scoping meetings were held in Ellsworth,

Machias, Owls Head, Rockport, Brunswick, Freeport, Wells, and Augusta, Maine. The locations,

dates, and times for these meetings were announced in local newspapers, as well as through special

mailings. Over 250 people attended the public forums, co-sponsored by the Service and 33 additional

groups interested in promoting protection of coastal islands. More than 60 people attended the

scoping meetings, the purpose of which was to let people know what the Service was doing and share

what we have learned about coastal nesting island wildlife and their habitats. Also during 1995, over

1,100 copies of an Issues Workbook were distributed. These workbooks asked people to share what

they valued most about the islands, their vision for island protection in the future and the Service’s

role in that future, and any other island issues they wanted to raise. One hundred and forty copies of

the workbooks were returned to us. We summarized the information and shared the results in a Project

Update newsletter in May 1996.

Also in May 1996, the Service held a two-day facilitated workshop at the Bar Harbor Inn in Bar

Harbor, Maine. The 24 participants included island owners, local land trusts, conservation organizations, town officials, sea kayaking companies, tour boat operators, representatives from the aquaculture industry, property rights supporters, and State and Federal agency representatives. The participants discussed the information gathered on seabird, wading bird, and eagle populations and island

ownerships, as well as the results of the workbook

In the summer of 1999, a new planning team was formed to produce a draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan consistent with the Service’s new planning policy. This new effort broadened the scope of

the original EIS to include not only island acquisitions, but goals and objectives for managing current

Refuge Complex lands. The new planning team reviewed the 1995 list of issues and concerns for the

project, expanded the scope of the project to include issues on existing refuge lands, and prepared to

gather additional comments from the public.

We held five public meetings and open houses in Augusta, Milbridge, Brunswick, and Rockport in

2000. A newsletter shared the comments from the open houses with the 1,400 individuals and organizations on our mailing list. Following the public meetings, the planning team met to draft and refine

elements of our management alternatives. Our next newsletter, published at the end of 2001, shared

our draft alternatives with the public. At publication, we presented five management alternatives, but

after further analysis, we determined that one of the alternatives was not significantly different than

the others. All the significant components of this alternative were included in the other four alternatives. Therefore, our draft CCP/EIS includes analysis of four alternatives.

Throughout our draft CCP/EIS planning process, we solicited and carefully considered public comments on Service land acquisition. We worked with the MDIFW, statewide conservation organizations, local municipalities, local land trusts and national conservation organizations who are directly

involved in land protection strategies in coastal Maine. Their continuing work will preserve additional

national significant coastal nesting islands not acquired by the Service. Specifically, the State helped

us develop the land protection proposal and prioritize islands for Service acquisition.
Socioecomic and Cultural Impacts

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-17

We have prepared this draft LPP to support the land protection proposal in Alternative B (the

Service’s Preferred Alternative) of our draft CCP/EIS for the Refuge Complex. We are distributing the

LPP to affected landowners, our conservation partners, State of Maine and local agencies, and other

interested individuals and groups for a 60 day public comment period. Four public meetings will be

held.

IX. Socioeconomic and Cultural Impacts

It is said that Maine’s seacoast is the backbone of the State’s economy. This is not surprising as

coastal Maine’s southern and mid-coast regions are growing at a faster rate (1.7 percent during 1990-

1996) than the state as a whole (0.9 percent during 1990-1996) with the majority of the State’s 1.2

million people (State Planning Office, 2000) living in coastal counties. Most certainly it is the natural

beauty and rich resources of the shore and ocean that draw people to the coast.

In our draft CCP/EIS we describe in detail the socio-economic consequences of our proposed expansion, including impacts to property taxes, additional local revenues generated, and the implications to

commercial wildlife viewing, hunting, sheep farming, aquaculture, public access, educational, and

recreational opportunities.

The Refuge Complex contributes directly to the economies of several towns in coastal Maine. Since

1935, the Service has made Refuge Revenue Sharing payments to counties or towns for refuge land

under its administration. Lands acquired by the Service are removed from the tax rolls. However,

under provisions of the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act, as amended, the county or other local unit of

government receives an annual revenue sharing payment which can sometimes equal or exceed the

amount that would have been collected from property taxes if in private ownership. In 2001, the

Service paid $51,134 to Maine communities for lands under administration of the Refuge Complex.

Assuming full expansion, our proposal would distribute an additional estimated $50,786 annually to

42 Maine town’s in Refuge Revenue Sharing (RRS) payments, assuming the 2002 distribution rate

allocated by Congress. We enlisted Dr. Charles Colgan, an economist from the University of Southern

Maine, to help us determine net property tax impacts to towns, given these RRS payments (Re: draft

CCP/EIS, Appendix G, for full report). According to Dr. Colgan, overall, the property tax impacts are

small. If all 87 islands are acquired by the Service, the property taxes would rise in affected towns by

approximately $130,000, an average of 0.05%, assuming RRS payments at the 2002 levels. The town

with the largest absolute reduction in taxes would be the Town of Kittery at $30,738; however, the

Town of Frenchboro would be the most affected in proportional terms; approximately $6,234 or 9.0%

increase in their mil rate.

Our proposal affects other socio-economic components as well. Wildlife-dependent uses of Maine

islands include consumptive and non-consumptive recreational activities. Consumptive activities

include sport hunting for waterfowl (including eiders), upland gamebirds, and deer, as well as fishing

and shell fishing. Our proposal would allow waterfowl hunting; however, hunting game birds and

deer is not viable on these off-shore islands, and fishing and shell fishing would occur in State waters.

Non-consumptive recreation activities include photography and wildlife observation, picnicking,

berry picking, hiking, and camping. While camping would be eliminated on all newly acquired

islands, the other activities would be allowed to continue except during the seabird nesting season

from April 1st - August 31st, or during the bald eagle nesting season from February 15th - August 31st.
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-18 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The only exception to the closure period is on eider- and gull-nesting islands which would be closed

from April 1st - July 31st.

The industries of coastal Maine potentially affected by Refuge Complex management includes aquaculture, lobstering and other commercial fisheries, commercial seabird viewing activities, other natural

resource-based industries such as timber and blueberries, environmental education, real estate and

land development. During our public scoping, we heard particular concern with any potential impacts

to aquaculture operations by our proposal. We have no direct jurisdiction with issuing aquaculture

leases; the responsibility lies with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and the Maine Department of Marine Resources. During the lease review process, our Ecological Services Maine Field

Office consistently recommends that all aquaculture facilities lie at least 1/4 mile away from Federalowned islands; however, the ACOE leases do not always require this. As such, Service acquisition of

islands has some potential to affect future lease locations, but would not affect any current leases.

With regards to the other industries noted above, our proposal would not result in any adverse impacts. Rather, it would benefit seabird viewing and environmental education.

The Service routinely reviews and assesses archaeological and historic sites under Section 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) when ground disturbing activities are likely. At the Refuge Complex, these reviews have been confined to architectural rehabilitation of lighthouse structures

on four Refuge Complex islands. Our proposal includes acquisition of two islands that contain lighthouses (Wood and Seguin islands). If these islands become available to us, we would negotiate an

easement enabling the current landowner, or an historic preservation entity, to retain responsibility for

any historic structures, assuming this arrangement poses no risk to the Federal trust resources we are

trying to protect.

As is generally the case in coastal settings, the area is potentially rich in archaeological resources.

While no archeological sites occur on the Refuge Complex that meet NHPA criteria, there has not

been an intensive survey done on Refuge Complex lands. It is entirely possible there are unrecorded

coastal archaeological sites on current Refuge Complex lands and those proposed for acquisition. Our

proposal would increase protection for cultural resources since these lands would not be developed

and because we adhere to the protection requirements of the NHPA. We will work closely with the

Passamaquoddy Tribes (Pleasant Point and Indian Township Reservations) and other Wabanaki tribes

to identify, protect, and interpret, cultural resources. Service ownership would help protect known

sites against vandalism, and would permanently protect as yet unidentified, or undeveloped cultural

sites from disturbance or destruction. Our interpretive and environmental education programs will

also continue to promote public understanding and appreciation of the area’s rich cultural resources.

In summary, we do not predict any significant adverse socioeconomic or cultural impacts from our

proposed action.
Current Service Ownership and Proposed Acquisition

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-19

Attachment A. Current Service Ownership and Proposed Acquisition

The eleven maps in Attachment A show the mainland and islands that are currently

part of the Refuge Complex (solid green), the mainland and islands approved but not

yet acquired (outlined in green), the mainland and islands that we propose for Service

acquisition (solid red).
A-20 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex 

Map 11 - Mainland Divisions Map 9 - Petit Manan Map 8 - Frenchmans Bay

Map 7 -Jericho Bay

Map 6 -

Inner Penobscot Bay

Map 5 - Outer Penobscot Bay

Map 4 -

Muscongus Bay Map 3 - Casco Bay Map 2 - Saco Bay

Map 1 - Kittery

Por tland

Por tsmouth, NH

A ugusta

R ockland

E llswor th

B ar

H ar bor

M ilbr idge

Index of Maps

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Draft Land Protection Plan / Environmental Impact Statement
Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-21

81-101

Folly I

81-191

Appledore I

Smuttynose I

The Nubble

Lunging I

White I Star I

Isles of Shoals

Cape I

Boon Island

Malaga I

Duck I

Piscataqua River

York Riv er

Portsmouth Harbor

Brave Boat

Harbor

York Harbor

Petit Manan National Wildlife RefugDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Pre

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine 

with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland F

Main

A

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for 

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and eaRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitOther Natl Significant Islands PermaOther Natl Signif. Islands - Importanislands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

Map 1 - Kittery

Rachel Carson NWR - Brave Boat Harbor Division

Rachel Carson NWR
A-22 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

81-101

Wood I

Eagle I

81-015

81-010

Folly I

R

55

Timber I

Stratton I

R

Beach I

Stage I

Bluff I

Stage I

Cape I

Saco River

Goosefair Bay

Kennebunk River

Spurwin k River

Scarborough River

Saco Bay

Nonesuch River

Petit Manan National Wildlife RefugDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Pre

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine 

with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland F

Main

A

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for 

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and eaRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitOther Natl Significant Islands PermaOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

Map 2 - Saco Ba

Rachel Carson NWR

Rachel C
Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-23

55-381

House I

Lanes I

55-200

Little Whaleboat I

55-282

Little Whaleboat I

55-283

Ragged I

Turnip I 55-626

55-427

Upper Coombs I

55-088

Fullers Rock

73-308 

Ram I

55-521

Fre

7

Hope I Cow I

Whaleboat I

White's I

The

Bangs I

Orrs Island

Mark I

Jenny I

Sebascondegan

Island

Lane's I

Crab I

Halfway Rock

Clapboard I

Basket I

Stave I

Ministerial I Brothers

Brown Cow

West

Goose Is

Flag I

Wood I

East

Brown Cow

White Bull

Haskell I

Jaquish I

Cousin's I

Littlejohn I

Moshier I

Great

Chebeague

Island

Sturdivant I

Diamond I

Great

Inner Green I

Outer Green I

Vaill I

Long Island

Richmond I

Yarmouth I

Cushing I

Island

Peaks

Mackworth I

French's I

Bustin's I Birch I

Elm Is

Harbor I

Jewell I

Cliff Island

Williams I

Ram I

Bates I

Upper Flag I Ram I

Pond I

Heron 

Bailey Island

Casco Bay

Small Point Harbor

Merriconeag Sound

Royal River

Middle Bay

New Meadows River

Luckse Sound

Cove

Back

Spurwin k River

Fore River

Harraseeket River

Maquoit Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 3 - Casco Bay

Rachel Carson NWR
A-24 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Fisherman I

65-274

Thread of Life

65-258

65-019

Hog I

Haddock I

65-200

Harbor I

63-701

Ram I

63-731

Sand I

63-730

Bar I

63-802 The Brot

63-57

T

The Br

63-5

65-280

Damariscove I

Davis I

Thompson I

Barters Island

Pumpkin I

Outer Heron I

Thief I

Hooper I

Shark I Burnt I

Shag Ledges

Marsh I

McGee I

Cranberry I

Caldwell I

Friendship

Cow I

Louds I

Hog I

Squirrel I

The

MacMahan I

Westport

Island

Monhegan I

Hall I

Gay I

Long I

Otter I

Eastern Egg Rock

Western Egg Rock

Cape I

Mark I

Lower

Manana I

Long I

Bremen

Allen I

Wreck I 

The

Hypocrites

White Is

The Cuckolds

Pratt's I

Black

Rocks

rrowsic Island

Georgetown Island

Crane I

Franklin I

Thrumcap I

Southport Island 

Ross I

Hart I

Damarisc otta Riv er

Medo m a k River

Linekin Bay

Sheepscot River

Montsweag Ba y

nnebec River

Damariscotta Riv e r

Bay

Sheepscot

Muscongus Bay

Johns Bay

Johns River

Booth Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 4 - Muscongus Bay
Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-25

Crow I

Graffam I

63-634

63-651

Little Green I

63-418

Oak I

63-421

Little Hurricane I

63-626

Little Green I

63-654

Large Green I

63-655

63-901

Two Bush I

Wooden Ball I

63-917

Green Ledge

63-135

Crane I (South)

63-505

Scraggy I

59-836

High I

Matinicus Island

Smith I

Ash I

Ragged I

Dogfish I

Green's I

Hurricane I

White Is

Two Bush I

Vinalhaven I

Penobscot I

Monroe I

Western Ear

Otter I

Roberts Is

Kim

Andrews I

Mark I

Ro

Babbidge I

Matinicus Rock

Seal I

Leadbetter I

Ten Pound I

No Mans Land

Hog I

Hewett I

Andrews I

Sheep I

Bluff Head

Narrows I

Sheep I

Carvers I

Saddleback Ledge

Brimstone I

Medric Rock

Metinic Green I

Metinic I

Whitehead I Southern I

Fisherman I

I

Dix I

Pleasant I

Merchant R

ofa r e

Muscle Ridge Channel

He

Har

West Penobscot Bay

Petit Manan National WiDraft CCP/EIS Alternative 

Island analysis by R. Hous

with data provided by Main

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Island

Refuge Lands - fee owRefuge Lands - approvOther Natl Significant Other Natl Signif. Islaislands to be protecte

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 

0 1 2 3 

2 3 4 5 

Map 5 - Outer P
A-26 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Ram I

63-323

Mouse I63-330 Compass I 59-790

Little Sprucehead I

59-722

59-799

Inner Porcupine I

Outer Porcupine I 59-800

Spectacle I

59-673

Western I

59-675

77-045

Ram I

North Haven I

Stimpsons I

Butter I

Acre I

Goose I

Beach I

Ash I

Resolution I

Pickering I

Bradbury I

Bear I

Sheep I

Egg Rock

Seven Hundred

Ensign Is

Job I

Lasell I

Mark I

Robinson Rock

Dogfish I

Monroe I

Vinalhaven I Andrews I Mark I

Babbidge I

Sears I

Curtis I

Hog I

Pond I

Saddle I

Isleboro Island

Leadbetter I

Sheep I 

Crotch 

Lime I Great Sprucehead I

Eagle I

Belfast Bay

Rockland

Harbor

Fox Islands Thorofa r e

Ducktrap

Harbor

Seal Harbor Harbor Isleboro

Bagad

East Penobscot Bay

West Penobscot Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 6 - Inner Penobscot Bay

Petit Manan NWR Complex Rockport Office
Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-27

Gooseberry I

59-398

Three Bush I

59-980

Johns I59-351

East Sister I

59-447

Crow I

59-448

Harbor I

59-450

Scraggy I

59-836

Eastern Mark I

59-956

Fog I

63-264

Shingle I

59-959

Little Duck I

Swans Island Great Gott I

Mount Desert 

L

Saddleback I

Black I

Placentia I

Opechee I

Marshall I

Long I

Heron I

estern Ear

Kimball I

Merchant I Pell I

Andrews I

Mark I

Farrel I

Round I

York I

Great Cranberry I

Little Gott I

Great Duck I

Black I

Bold I

McGlathery I

Baker Is

Great Spoon I

Little Spoon I

Eastern Ear

Isle au Haut

Burnt I

Sheep I

Spruce I

Sister Is

Crotch I

S. Mark I

Marshall I

Little

Johns I

Devil I

Merchant Row Jericho Bay

Casco Passage Western Way

Head

Harbor

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 7 - Jericho Bay
A-28 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Johns I59-351

Mahoney I

59-933

Black I

59-132

Conary Nub

59-137

North Twinnie I

59-160

Bu

5

Bean I

59-190

Eastern Mark I

59-956

Bear I

59-925

Pond I

59-347

Little Cranberry I

White I

Bar I

Sutton I

Jorda

Calf I

Preble I

T

Egg Rock

Ironbound I

Opechee I

Moose I

Tinker I

Bar I

Long I

Hardwood I

Alley I

Hog I

Black I

Bold I

Mount Desert Island

Bartlett I

Sheep I

Green I

Trumpet I

Ship I West Barge

East Barge

Twinnie I

South

Skillings River

Casco Passage

Western Way

Eastern Way

Somes Sound

Blue Hill Bay

Frenchman's Bay

Sullivan Harbor

Mount Desert Narrows Union River Bay Blue Hill Harbor

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 8 - Frenchmans Bay
Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-29 Sally I 59-037 Sheep I 59-039 Bald Rock 59-036Eastern I 79-843

Sheep I

79-835

Pinkham I

79-787

Strout I

79-763

Big Nash I Nash I 79-626

79-627

The Ladle

79-632

Duck Ledge I

79-412

Outer Ram I

79-602

Ram I

79-601

Fisherman I

79-694

Trafton I

79-909

Flat I

79-621

Proposed Litton Tract

Moose I

Bois Bubert I

Petit Manan I

Dyer 

Island

Great Wass

Island

Goose Is

Fisherman I

Egg Rock Crumple I

Browney I

Pond I

Outer Sand I

Schoodic I

Beals

Norton I Island

Doyle I

Crowley Island

Foster I

Green I

Inner Sand I

Drisko I

Pig I

Flint I

Sally I Abbott I

Jordans Delight

Douglas Is

Pleasant

Bay

Gouldsboro Bay

Pleasant River Pleasant River

Eastern

Bay

Western Bay

Wohoa Bay Moosabec Reach Narraguagus Bay

Pigeon Hill Bay

Harrington

Bay

Dyer Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 9 - Petit Manan

Petit Manan NWR Complex

Milbridge Office

Corea Heath Division

Note: See map 11 for a closer view of mainland divisions.
A-30 

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Hope I

79-393

Cape Wash I 79-297

Little Ram I

79-462

Proposed Sprague Neck Division

Fellows I

79-464

Libby Islands

Starboard I

Ram I

Foster I

Stone I

Little River Island

Halifax I

The Brothers

Cross Island

Chance I

Ba

re I

Great Spruce I

Lakeman I

Hickey I

Old Man

Hog I

Salt I

Scabby Is

Mink I

Double Head Shot Is

Scotch I

Schoppee I

South Bay

Machias Bay

Cobsc

Baileys Mistake

Moose Cove

Little Machias Bay

Englishman Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge ComplexDraft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program, with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easementsRefuge Lands - approved for acquisitionOther Natl Significant Islands Permanently ProtectedOther Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 8

0 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7

True Mag.

N

Map 10 - Cobscook Bay

Moosehorn NWR

Edmunds Division

Machias Bay

Ma

Cross Islan

Machias Seal I

Note: MSI managed in cooperation with tMDIF&W and the Canadian Wildlife Servi
Current Service Ownership and Proposed Acquisition

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-31

Sally I

59-037

Sheep I

59-039

Bald Rock

59-036

Eastern I

79-843

Sheep I

79-835

Trafton I

79-909

Proposed Litten Tract

Bois Bubert I

Petit Manan I

Pond I

Green I

Sally I Abbott I

Jordan

Douglas Is

Gouldsboro Bay

Narraguagus Bay

Pigeon Hill Bay

Dyer Bay

Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Draft CCP/EIS Alternative B (Service's Preferred Alternative)

Island analysis by R. Houston, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program,

with data provided by Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine

Atlantic Ocean

Map Location

59-750 Natl Significant Islands Proposed for Acquisition

Refuge Lands - fee ownership and easements

Refuge Lands - approved for acquisition

Other Natl Significant Islands Permanently Protected

Other Natl Signif. Islands - Important habitats or entire islands to be protected by partners

0 1 2

Miles

Kilometers

0 1 2 3 4

True Mag.

N

Map 11 - Mainland Divisions

Corea Heath Division

Petit Manan Point Division

Sawyers Marsh Division

Gouldsboro Bay Division

Petit Manan NWR Complex

Milbridge Office

Map 11 - Mainland Divisions

US Route 1
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-32 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Attachment B. Details on Proposed Acquisition

The first table in Attachment B corresponds to the maps in Attachment A and identifies each island

proposed for acquisition and its multiple owners, its Coastal Island Registry (CIREG) number,

whether its publicly or privately owned, and our priority and recommended option for acquiring it.

The second table identifies each mainland parcel proposed for acquisition, the town its in, whether its

publicly or privately owned, and our priority and recommended option for acquiring it.

We plan to acquire either full or partial interest in all the parcels by fee purchase from willing sellers

or by transfer from another Federal agency. Expanded definitions of each table head follow.

Island Name name of specific island

CIREG coastal Island Registry number as designated by the State of Maine

Town the town in which the island is located

Map map numbers in Attachment A

Ownership whether the parcel is privately or publicly owned. “Private” includes individuals, corporations and conservation organizations, etc; “Public” includes Federal, State, or town ownership; “NGO” refers to a non-governmental organization; and “CG” refers to the Coast Guard.

Acres estimated acres for each island from our Geographic Information System (GIS)

database. This estimate may not match exactly town tax records; some parcels

lack detailed information. It includes only upland acres.

Priority 1 includes 52 nationally significant nesting seabird islands lacking long-term

protection, two new mainland tracts, and all the unacquired seabird island

parcels within the currently approved Refuge Complex boundary.

Priority 2 includes 35 eagle islands lacking long-term protection, and all unacquired

mainland parcels within the currently approved Refuge Complex boundary.

Acquisition Method whether we would pursue acquisition in full fee simple (fee) or a partial fee

conservation easement (easement; see discussion in “Acquisition Method”), or

“transfer” from the Coast Guard or U.S. Navy. We identify what we believe,

given the information now available, is the minimal level of Service interest

needed for project objectives that is also cost-effective. However, as islands

become available in the future, changes may be warranted to ensure we are

using the option that best fits the situation at that time and meets ours and

landowner’s needs.

Attachment B: Island Information

Acquisition

lsland Name CIREG Town Map Ownership Acres Priority Method

Appledore I 81-191 Kittery 1 Private 99.11 1 Fee

Bald Rock 59-036 Steuben 9 Private 1.31 1 Fee

Bar I 63-802 Tenants Harbor 4 Private 8.14 1 Fee

Bean I 59-190 Sorrento 8 Private 30.09 1 Fee

Bear I 59-925 Deer Isle 6 Private 20.12 2 Easement
Details on Proposed Acquisition

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-33

Attachment B: Island Information (cont’d)

Acquisition

lsland Name CIREG Town Map Ownership Acres Priority Method

Big Nash I 79-626 Addison 9 Private 75.34 1 Fee

Black I 59-132 Bar Harbor 8 Private 13.79 2 Easement

Buckskin I 59-110 Franklin 8 Private 5.60 2 Easement

Cape Wash I 79-297 Cutler 10 Private 21.15 2 Easement

Compass I 59-790 Deer Isle 6 Private 7.00 1 Fee

Conary Nub 59-137 Blue Hill 8 Private 0.17 1 Fee

Crane (S) 63-505 Vinalhaven 5 Private 1.60 2 Easement

Crow I 63-651 Muscle Ridge 5 Private 11.81 1 Fee

Crow I 59-448 Frenchboro 7 Private 10.63 2 Easement

Damariscove I 65-280 Boothbay 4 Private 242.30 1 Easement

Duck Ledge I 79-412 Addison 9 Private 1.06 1 Fee

Eagle I 81-010 Saco 2 Private 3.13 1 Fee

Eastern I 79-843 Steuben 9 Private 4.66 1 Fee

Eastern Mark I 59-956 Stonington 6 Private 9.89 2 Easement

East Sister I 59-447 Swans Island 7 Private 30.27 2 Easement

Fellows I 79-464 Roque Bluffs 9 Private 32.98 2 Easement

Fisherman I 65-274 Boothbay 4 Private 70.72 1 Fee

Fisherman I 79-694 Beals 9 Private 48.15 1 Fee

Flat I 79-621 Addison 9 Private 19.63 1 Fee

Fog I 63-264 Isle Au Haut 7 Private 56.65 2 Easement

Folly I 81-101 Kennebunkport 2 Private 5.36 1 Fee

Freyee I (W) 73-030 Topsham 3 Private 5.29 2 Easement

Fullers Rock 73-308 Phippsburg 3 Private 2.36 1 Fee

Gooseberry I 59-398 Swans Island 7 Private 5.42 1 Fee

Graffam I 63-634 Muscle Ridge 5 Private 65.10 1 Fee

Green Ledge 63-135 Vinalhaven 5 Private 0.73 1 Fee

Haddock I 65-200 Bristol 4 Private 12.05 1 Fee

Harbor I 63-701 Friendship 4 Private 96.68 1 Fee

Harbor I 59-450 Frenchboro 7 Private 19.93 2 Easement

Hog I 65-019 Damariscotta 4 Private 4.69 2 Easement

Hope I 79-393 Roque Bluffs 10 Private 5.52 2 Easement

House I 55-381 Portland 3 Private 31.11 1 Fee

Inner Porcupine I 59-799 Deer Isle 6 Private 10.15 2 Easement

John’s I 59-351 Swans Island 7 Private 21.81 2 Easement

Lanes I 55-200 Yarmouth 3 Private 28.19 2 Easement

Large Green I 63-655 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 85.31 1 Fee

Little Green I 63-418 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 2.90 1 Fee

Little Green I 63-654 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 35.97 1 Fee

Little Hurricane I. 63-626 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 1.84 1 Fee

Little Ram I 79-462 Roque Bluffs 9 Private 1.97 2 Easement

Little Sprucehead 59-772 Deer Isle 6 Private 44.08 1 Fee

Little Whaleboat I 55-282 Harpswell 3 Private 17.99 1 Fee

Ltl Whaleboat (SE) 55-283 Harpswell 3 Private 4.31 1 Fee

Mahoney I 59-933 Brooklin 8 Private 6.96 1 Fee

Mouse I 63-330 North Haven 6 Private 2.73 1 Fee
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-34 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Nash I 79-627 Addison 9 Private 16.70 1 Fee

North Twinnie I 59-160 Bar Harbor 8 Private 3.58 2 Easement

Oak I 63-421 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 1.76 1 Fee

Outer Porcupine I 59-800 Deer Isle 6 Private 6.31 2 Easement

Outer Ram I 79-602 Beals 9 Private 8.63 2 Easement

Pinkham I 79-787 Milbridge 9 Private 79.56 2 Easement

Pond I 59-347 Frenchboro 8 Private 241.00 2 Easement

Ragged I 55-626 Harpswell 3 Private 74.87 1 Fee

Ram I 63-323 Rockport 6 Private 1.06 1 Fee

Ram I 55-521 Cape Elizabeth 2 Private 2.86 1 Fee

Ram I 77-045 Islesboro 6 Private 6.98 2 Easement

Ram I 79-601 Beals 9 Private 29.34 2 Easement

Ram I 63-731 Friendship 4 Private 1.34 2 Easement

Sally I 59-037 Gouldsboro 9 Private 5.26 1 Fee

Sand I 63-730 Friendship 4 Private 4.22 2 Easement

Scraggy I 59-836 Stonington 5 Private 8.49 1 Fee

Seguin I 73-320 Georgetown 3 Private 63.13 1 Easement

Sheep I 79-514 Jonesport 9 Private 4.17 2 Easement

Sheep I 79-835 Steuben 9 Private 7.88 2 Easement

Sheep I 59-039 Gouldsboro 9 Private 9.39 2 Easement

Shingle I 59-959 Stonington 7 Private 9.19 2 Easement

Spectacle I 59-673 Brooksville 6 Private 8.74 1 Fee

Spectacle I 79-132 Eastport 10 Private 4.76 1 Fee

Strout I 79-763 Harrington 9 Private 20.84 2 Easement

The Brothers (C) 63-580 St. George 4 Private 0.57 1 Fee

The Brothers (S) 63-581 St. George 4 Private 7.39 1 Fee

The Brothers (N) 63-579 St. George 4 Private 3.81 1 Fee

The Ladle 79-632 Addison 9 Private 2.28 1 Fee

Thread of Life 65-258 South Bristol 4 Private 1.44 1 Fee

Three Bush I 59-980 Swans Island 7 Private 1.62 1 Fee

Trafton I 79-909 Harrington 9 Private 113.20 1 Fee

Turnip I 55-427 Harpswell 3 Private 1.89 1 Fee

Two Bush I 63-901 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 5.88 1 Fee

Upper Coombs 55-088 Brunswick 3 Private 8.58 2 Easement

Western I 59-675 Deer Isle 6 Private 22.03 2 Easement

Wood I 81-015 Biddeford 2 CG 43.51 1 Transfer

Wooden Ball I 63-917 Matinicus Isle 5 Private 138.20 1 Fee

Total Island Acres 2,314.40

Attachment B: Island Information (cont’d)

Acquisition

lsland Name CIREG Town Map Ownership Acres Priority Method

Attachment B: Mainland Information

Acquisition

Mainland Name Town Map Ownership Acres Priority Method

Sprague Neck Property Cutler 10 U.S. Navy 150.0 1 Transfer

Litten Property Gouldsboro 9 Private 3.3 1 Fee

Total Mainland Acres 153.3
Letter of Support for Acquisition of Bald Eagle Nesting Islands

Draft CCP/EIS - April, 2004 A-35

Attachment C. Letter of Support for Acquisition of Bald Eagle Nesting Islands

from the Regional Chief of Threatened and Endangered Species
Appendix A – Land Protection Plan

A-36 Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge Complex