and include a list of the clam flats closed because of pollution from domestic 

 sewage (see "Water Pollution" under "Industry and Population" below). 

 Subdivisions of land allow human activities in areas that were previously less 

 disturbed. These impacts are discussed further under "Industry and 

 Population" below. Other impacts result from seasonal and localized 

 increases in population, which results in concentrated activity that may 

 degrade the natural environment. Mechanical equipment such as snowmobiles, 

 motor boats, and ski lifts contribute to this impact. 



Power boating creates waves which may disturb birds nesting in rivers, 

 wetlands and lakes (e.g., loons). Power boating also creates short-term 

 suspended sediment concentrations and hydrocarbon deposits in the water 

 column. Snowmobiling, truck camping, and vehicular traffic on dunes and salt 

 marsh surfaces promotes devegetation and accelerated wind and current erosion. 



The trampling of vegetation in fragile ecosystems, such as ericacious bogs, 

 salt marshes, islands and dunes, has effects for which the recovery process 

 requires many years. Continuous or unmanaged traffic in dune and marsh areas 

 promotes devegetation and, thus, erosion by winds and currents. 



Rare plant collecting and the picking of wildfowers threaten many of the 

 aesthetically attractive rare plant species. (See chapter 20, "Endangered, 

 Threatened, and Rare Plants" for a more detailed discussion of recreational 

 activities that adversely affect rare plants.) 



Bird breeding areas (i.e., bald eagle, osprey, common loon, seabird, and 

 shorebird) , shorebird roosting areas, and seal haulout sites are particularly 

 vulnerable to pressure from human recreational activities. Atlas map 4 plots 

 known important wildlife areas in coastal Maine. The impact of human 

 disturbance on breeding bald eagles is discussed in chapter 16, "Terrestrial 

 Birds," and on breeding seabirds and shorebirds in chapter 14, "Waterbirds . " 

 The latter chapter also discusses the impact of human disturbance on roosting 

 shorebirds . 



SPORT FISHING AND HUNTING 



The most important ecological effect of sport fishing and hunting is the 

 direct harvest of fish and wildlife. Other impacts may be significant 

 locally. Construction of fishing piers, boat launching ramps, and 

 recreational camps may result in localized pollution. The effects of piers 

 are discussed under "Ports and Navigation" above. 



Vehicular traffic to inlet fishing areas devegetates salt marsh and dune 

 surfaces, promoting accelerated erosion. Continual emplacement of hunting 

 blinds on some marsh plots promotes salt panne formation or accelerated tidal 

 current erosion. 



The use of lead shot may be a significant hazard to waterfowl, and to large 

 raptors which prey upon wounded waterfowl (i.e., eagles and peregrine 

 falcons). Lead pellets have been found to occur in significant quantities in 

 the sediment of Merrymeeting Bay (region 2). Analyses of gizzard contents of 

 ducks shot on the Bay revealed one or more lead shot in 8.1%, 6.1%, and 6.4% 

 of the black ducks examined in 1976, 1977, and 1978 respectively. Lead shot 

 causes lead poisoning, which can weaken, debilitate, and kill birds. A 



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