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Visit a naturally beautiful, historically secretive location. Plum Island is a de facto nature preserve lying just 10 miles off Connecticut's shore and about 1.5 miles off the northeast coast of Long Island in New York waters, an 840-acre island of mostly-undisturbed, lush wild habitat. Due to its partial use as a federal research facility, most of the island has remained an undeveloped sanctuary for wildlife, like osprey, bank swallow, and piping plover, and for native plants. (Please visit http://www.ctenvironment.org/#!plum-island/c1q15 to learn more.)
A ferry leaving from Old Saybrook, CT, takes us to-and-from the island. We first visit the Plum Island Animal Disease Center of New York. PIDAC is a United States federal research facility dedicated to the study of large animal diseases. It is part of the DHS Directorate for Science and Technology. After learning about PIDAC, visitors take a bus tour encompassing the entire island, including visiting Fort Terry (est. 1897). There is quite a bit of walking involved. (Learn more about PIDAC here https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/plum-island-animal-disease-center.)
This is a fascinating trip, but you need to provide some personal information before you are allowed to visit. Providing this information is a strict federal requirement. We've tried to simplify the collection process this year, but it ultimately is your responsibility to get the required information to us (Susan, who is the Point of Contact, or POC, at NLMS) by Friday, May 6.
Guests meet at the Old Saybrook One Harbor at 7 AM for the ferry. The boat returns at approximately 2:15 PM.
Cameras and cell phones are permitted on the island, but photos may only be snapped at certain locations.
With the fate of Plum Island in the air, it is important to visit and see the island for oneself.
There is no charge for this trip. New London Maritime Society organizes it as a public service.
Visitors may bring their lunch.
INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
A federal background check must be completed, and submitted to New London Maritime Society by Friday, May 6, 2016. You will provide the information in two parts:
1.) We will contact you using the email information provided with this registration. All registrants will be emailed a questionnaire on April 1 and should fill it out and return it by email to nlharborlight@gmail.com.
2.) Additionally, registrants also are responsible for calling Susan at 860-447-8700 and providing their social security number.
Partial information is not acceptable. All information -- both the survey and the ss number -- must be received by Friday, May 6, 2016, or you will be bumped from the trip. Sorry, but these are federal regulations!
The information needed is:
1.) First and Last name
2.) US citizenship status
3.) Country of Origin
4.) City and State of residence
5.) Employer and Occupation or name of school if a student
6.) Age as of scheduled visit date
7.) Date of birth (not required if under 18 on date of visit)
8.) SSN (not required if under 18 on date of visit)
9.) Telephone Number (not required if under 18 on date of visit)
10.) Credentialed or freelance media member status
11.) Are you a local, state or federally elected official or a member of their staff
12.) Will you be gathering any data on Plum Island during their proposed visit
13.) Are you a potential purchaser or investor for the sale of Plum Island
14.) Are you involved in any litigation against the US Department of Homeland Security or US Department of Agriculture
15.) Do you require assistance with walking or any ambulatory movement (ie use a walker, wheelchair, unsteady on their feet) - this is for safety precautions related to our dock in Old Saybrook, CT
NOTE: Providing false information to the government is a violation of 18 U.S. Code ยง 1001 and is a felony punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.
UPDATE 7.25.16
Hello everyone. The Plum Island trip takes place Tuesday -- tomorrow. We have a slight hitch -- please read the email I just received, below.
The trip will be curtailed due to the heat, but not canceled, and there will be enough time for everything but the lunch break!
I will post the parking map on the BrownPaperTickets events page. Please carpool, if possible. If you would like me to email the map to you, directly, please email me at nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com.
Your contact will be JB Malone. I will email everyone who signed up on brownpapertickets his contact information. Anyone else who registered by phone must email me at nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com for his information.
This is a complicated event to organize. Let's hope it all goes off well tomorrow! All best, --Susan
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| Tuesday Jul 26, 2016 7:00 AM - Tuesday Jul 26, 2016 2:15 PM | Free |
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LocationPlum Island, New York (View)
Old Saybrook One Harbor, 22 Bridge St
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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