Mass. Island Homeowners Told July 4th Flags Threaten Endangered Birds

Plum Island in Newbury, Massachusetts is home to about 2900 people. Those people were just told that flying flags on their property could violate state and federal Endangered Species Acts and that failing to comply could result in significant regulatory and financial penalties, to boot.

The fourth of July is right around the corner and if there was ever a time to mount an American flag, it's right now - plus it's the country's 250th birthday! I mean, what is going on?

Plum Island Homeowners Told July 4th Flags Threaten Endangered Birds

The piping plover is an endangered shorebird and the shores of Plum Island are considered a "major breeding stronghold" - and apparently reflective, shiny materials can deter and disorient them.

A letter was sent recently to homeowners ahead of the 4th of July holiday and some people are not happy about it.

The letter says and listed "mylar streamers, flags, and reflective materials" as examples of devices that deter protected shorebirds from nesting in local beach and dune areas.

Longtime resident Marc Sarkady, who has lived on the island for over 30 years, said he was blindsided. He and his neighbors had just finished distributing roughly 50 American flags and 100 revolutionary-style signs reading "Plum Island Honors America" when the letter arrived.

Sarkady also noted that there is over 10 miles of shore line on the island with no homes that would not be bothersome to piping plovers.

The Towns says people are overreacting.

Newbury Town Administrator Tracy Blais said the town is "not in any way attempting to interfere with the property owner's rights to use their property or to restrict their use of their property for ordinary and patriotic purposes." -yahoo.com

The town said that they were simply passing along a message from MassWildLife. Critics are saying that the language in the letter was painting a totally different picture.

I'm a speciesist, so therefore, I totally disagree with the flag rule - not to say I wouldn't pull down a highly reflective streamer, though.