SHAWANGUNK – Federal Stimulus money has come down to the local level in a number of ways. Earlier this year, for instance, it paid for resurfacing part of Route 44/55 through Gardiner. Now, $799,000 is slated to be spent on habitat improvement in the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, formerly Galeville Air Force base.

Michael Morgan of the New York Audubon Society says, "Where else are you going to find 500 acres of open grass habitat like this? We've lost the majority of grassland habitat that we had a hundred years ago because of the decline in farming. That makes the Shawangunk Grasslands so important as a refuge in the Hudson Valley for a number of species of bird."

But none of this impresses John Valk, Supervisor of the Town of Shawangunk. He feels that the federal government doesn't have its priorities straight.

"I still think this is a waste of money. When we have a sewer plant that needs funding, and bridges that are close to collapse, this is ludicrous."

But, Morgan points out that preservation of this land is an important investment in the long term. Six of the 12 true grassland breeding species of New York are present in the Shawangunk Grassland Refuge, he says.

"Northern Harriers, Short Eared Owls — both of those raptors spend the winters there. Grasshopper Sparrows, American Kestrels, Bobolinks, and Henslow's Sparrows breed there in the summer. National Audubon is very excited about seeing the Fish & Wildlife Service taking these steps to improve the habitat."

Acting Manager of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Michael Horne, explains what's going to happen.

"This project has been on the books for many years. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge had identified complete removal of the concrete and asphalt of the runways. However, that would have been very expensive, and it would have meant sending a great number of truckloads of material out onto local roads, creating both safety and wear and tear issues."

So, a new plan was produced.

"This is more of a hybrid plan, modified to make use of stimulus dollars," says Horne. "Soil will be collected from the site itself, not trucked in, and contoured on top of most of the runway area. However, portions of the runways will be left as they are, for trails and public access."

Michael Morgan adds, "Leaving the concrete in place will help to suppress the growth of trees and shrubs and assist long term management of the habitat."

Valk, on the other hand, says that while he is not opposed to preserving the grasslands, and that he understands its importance as a wildlife habitat, he still has reservations about where the money is going.

"On my own farm, I have 150 acres of grassland, and I keep that un-mowed until August. I'm as concerned as anyone with keeping our wildlife. But, I also know that Fish & Wildlife doesn't have the money to manage what they've got. They even call on our Highway Department to plow their parking lot!"

Michael Horne says he understands Valk's feelings. "There's probably a lot of people out there who would consider this a waste of money. But, there are also a lot of people who don't. This idea has been around a long time, and it's been modified to make very judicious and responsible use of the money."

Horne also addresses the point about grass and habitat.

"Not all grass is the same. What we have now, and what grows in hayfields, are non-native grasses. Native Blue Stem grasses will be heavily represented in our seed mixes. Those are warm season grasses. They flourish during the summer heat, when non-native, European cool season grasses turn brown. The blue stem grasses are resistant to drought and heat-tolerant too. Finally, the big blue stem can grow seven feet tall, and it provides structure for wildlife. Hayfields have to be harvested before the grass gets too high, or else it gets tough. Hayfields are also monocultures of the same species, so you don't get a real diversity of wildlife."

Supervisor Valk is also unimpressed, so far, with the economic impact of bird watching and birders.

"It's been ten years now, and we haven't seen anything measurable from tourism to that site."

Horne says, "As that habitat becomes more natural and draws more species of birds, so it will draw more birders."

And birders bring tourism dollars, no doubt about it. A recent US Fish & Wildlife Report noted that bird watchers spend billions of dollars across the US, every year.

Michael Morgan of Audubon says much the same thing, "Increasing diversity will attract more people. And birders spend a lot of money."

Michael Horne also says that the habitat mix at the Grasslands Refuge will be changed by the work.

"Currently the site is drained by a system of culverts, to keep water off those runways. We'll be plugging up those culverts to restore natural hydrology. That will produce some shallow wetlands here and there, and that could bring back some water-loving birds, maybe even wading birds."

The more birds, the more birders, in other words.