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Big Island Park Management Activity <br /> June 15,2010 <br /> Page 5 <br /> C. Shoreline Stabilization & Environmental Preservation <br /> The MCWD has provided complete and unfailing support of Orono's efforts to manage <br /> the Island. Activities aimed at long-term environmental management of the property <br /> have been accomplished primarily via Orono's partnership with MCWD, and could not <br /> have been accomplished without that cooperative effort. Not the least of these activities <br /> was the massive shoreline stabilization project in 2008-2009 which involved shoreline <br /> rip-rapping as well as use of vegetative methods for limiting further bluff erosion. <br /> MCWD staff have assisted the City in such diverse ways as creating the Big Island <br /> Recreational Map & Park Rules brochure, and by including a representative from the <br /> District on Orono's Big Island Committee. <br /> Orono from the very beginning has embraced the concept that Big Island Park is a unique <br /> natural environment. The site has experienced a number of transitions over the past <br /> century - from being relatively untouched forest in the 1800s, converted to a highly- <br /> developed amusement park in the early 20th century, later becoming a popular camping <br /> and vacation area for veterans, and finally now reverting back to a more natural state. <br /> The challenge for the future is to balance the recreational desires of the public with <br /> protection of the natural environmental values of the property that make it a desirable <br /> destination. <br /> D. Public Accessibility & Management Plan <br /> Orono's initial intent in purchasing the property was to keep it available for the public <br /> rather fhan having it fall into private hands where it would likely have been developed <br /> into as many as 7 or 8 individual recreational homesites. With that in mind, the Big Island <br /> Committee has formulated a set of draft goals for management of the Park with an eye <br /> toward establishing policies that allow for passive recreation in harmony with the natural <br /> environment. These goals are listed below, and the policies for implementing them are <br /> included in the attached excerpt from the Orono 2008-2030 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Goal L Manage the PaNk in a manner consistent with its identity as a Natural Passive <br /> Recreation Area <br /> Goal 2. Implement environmentally sound and sustainable policies within the Park <br /> Goal 3. Improve access to and mobility within the Park <br /> Goal 4. Provide the level of recreational and service facilities necessa�y for safe public use <br /> of the Park while limiting the need for intensive operation and maintenance activity <br /> Goal 5. Allow for educational and service opportunities related to the biological, physical <br /> and cultural resources of the Park <br /> Goal 6. Promote a passive day-use recreation and natural area identiry in the Park <br /> reinforced by the desigrr of facilities and amenities as well as by the establishment <br /> of rules and regulations consistent with that identity <br /> Goal 7. Recognize, acknowledge and embrace the special relationship that America's <br /> military veterans have with the Pa��k properry, and encourage their use of the Park <br /> in a nzanner consistent with its mission, vision and goals <br />