Charge Fees To See Wildlife

For the first time since its establishment more than 40 years ago, an entrance fee will be charged starting this spring for admission to the Elizabeth Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyac.

The fee will be $4 a car or $2 a person. For regular visitors, a $12 annual pass will be available that will permit an unlimited number of visits in one year in lieu of daily fees.

Word of the fee came through a press statement issued last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington. The statement spoke of "new or modified recreational fees" to be collected at 41 national wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery under a test program announced by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt.

Varied Ecosystem

The release stressed that "more spotting scopes, accessible fishing facilities, nature trails, and other visitor services will be available" through the new fees.

The 187 acres that comprise the Elizabeth Morton National Wildlife Refuge were donated by Ms. Morton to the Federal Government in 1954. The refuge contains a widely varied ecosystem that attracts many migratory birds and is among the favorite spots on the East End for observing and interacting with nature. Chickadees at Morton will land on a visitor's hand and eat seeds from outstretched hands.

"Essential"

Pat Martinkovic, project leader for the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which oversees Morton, said in an interview Monday: "I can appreciate the public's feelings or possible upset at having to pay an entrance fee to Morton National Wildlife Refuge. But, unfortunately, Federal budgets are such that if we are to provide the public with quality recreational facilities, implementation of an entrance fee program is essential."

Ms. Martinkovic, a 19-year veteran of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, added, "This particular entrance fee program is ideal because it allows the specific site that collects the money to keep at least 80 percent of the fees. And we would direct those fees to improve the facilities at Morton National Wildlife Refuge for the public."

She said that at Morton the fees to be collected are expected to be used to "improve the parking lot so there would be a separate entrance and exit." Since its creation, there has been only one roadway into the refuge.

The fees would also be used to pay for a person to be stationed at Morton during the warm-weather months who would assist visitors and "respond to any questions," said Ms. Martinkovic. Development of an "interpretive program for the public" is also being sought.

Honor System

Another desired project, she said, is a "wheelchair-accessible nature trail," which, she noted, would do double-duty by being "good for little kids and older adults." There would also be additional "interpretive signs" and work done to upgrade the "kiosk facility."

Ms. Martinkovic said the daily fees would be collected "on an honor system." The annual pass would be arranged through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ms. Martinkovic said she would welcome having anyone with questions call her at her office at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge or write her at the Long Island NWR Complex, P.O. Box 21, Shirley 11967.