[Paddlewise] Closure of Brickhill Bluff on Cumberland Island to kayakers

Hi,
Some of the members of Atlanta Sea Kayakers wrote this open note to the
Defenders of Wild Cumberland in response to the news that Brickhill would be
closed in 2002.  I thought this may be of interest to this group since
Brickhill Bluff is the only kayak/canoe accessible back country site at
Cumberland Island National Seashore.  A barrage of protests to the National
Park Service and the Defenders of Wild Cumberland may help stop this
closure.  I am sure the NPS could find some alternative solutions to keep
this area open for canoers and kayakers.
Kathryn

Dear Defenders of Wild Cumberland:
Some of the members of the Atlanta Sea Kayakers and I have just returned
from a service trip to Brickhill Bluff, a primitive back county campground
on the northwestern end of Cumberland Island National Seashore.  We were
distressed to be informed by the park ranger that the area was scheduled to
closed in January 2002.

Brickhill Bluff is the only kayak/canoe accessible back country site. In my
experience kayakers tend to be very low impact campers and environmental
advocates.

Limiting access points to Cumberland Island is at odds with the section
Wilderness Management Plan for Cumberland Island excerpted below.

Enable hikers to stay overnight in a variety of island settings and
locations throughout the wilderness:
Minimize impacts of overnight visitors to a camp with a sense of remoteness
and solitude; Separate campers from roads and island residences to enhance
visitors' wilderness experience and protect residents' privacy; Enable
kayakers/canoers to have reasonable access to camp areas; Provide ca mpers
with opportunities to obtain drinking water from existing sources within the
wilderness; and
Provide opportunities for challenge and primitive recreation."

I fail to comprehend how effectively denying an individuals' access to
wilderness areas could possibly enhance those same individual's wilderness
experience.


Atlanta Kayakers tend to be apolitical, focusing more on getting into the
wilderness enjoying it and leaving no trace. That could change. Our club is
some 200 members strong with affiliated organizations with many times the
membership.

I don't know if this sort of issue is consistent with your view on
Cumberland Island preservation. I would be interested in your stance on
usage of wilderness areas by the public.  

Thank you,
Ed
__________________________________
 Webmaster, Atlanta Sea Kayakers
 




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