EARLY PROBLEMS 25 



"The damage is not necessarily confined to the direct loss of plants, and 

 the reduction of fish and wild fowl. While the productivity of the region 

 was at its best, hundreds of sportsmen were attracted to the region. More 

 than 40 hunting clubs were established on the shores of Back Bay and Cur- 

 rituck Sound. More than $5,000,000 were invested in marsh lands and prop- 

 erties suited to the sport of gunning, and suited to nothing else. Generous 

 sportsmen contributed sums running into hundreds of thousands toward 

 the erection and maintenance of modern schools, for the construction of 

 roads, and for the general welfare of the community. Fine bus lines have been 

 established and operated at private expense for the conveyance of children 

 to and from the schools, and appreciable sums have been expended in the 

 welfare of these children. Furthermore, there accrues from these investments 

 to the public an annual sum of approximately $500,000 in the way of taxes, 

 licenses, purchases, and other items in connection with the sport of fowling. 

 In addition it is estimated that 5,000 people depend almost wholly for their 

 livelihood and an equal number are partially dependent upon the sport of 

 gunning and fishing. This means of livelihood and the returns from these 

 investments are seriously endangered, for there is now little gunning and 

 fishing and the property values have depreciated greatly in value, some as 

 much as three-fourths." 



Bourn also states ^- p--^-^^: "In view of our findings and in view of the 

 fact that the opening of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal has been the 

 sole disturbance in the natural conditions of this region we are forced to the 

 logical conclusion that the restoration of the guard-lock in the canal is the 

 only remedy for the present conditions in Back Bay and Currituck Sound 

 and the only remedy that will restore the sole natural resource to this vast 

 region. When we consider the extent of the damage to the region, the 

 economic losses involved, the loss of the sole, large winter-feeding ground 

 on the Atlantic Coast for wild fowl, the number of people and interests 

 concerned, the reduction and threatened extinction of our wild fowl and our 

 fresh water fishes, and our moral obligation to posterity and our treaty 

 obligations to Great Britain for the preservation and protection of our 

 rapidly vanishing wild life, we are further forced to conclude that the 

 application of this remedy should not longer be delayed." 



In a letter to the author under date of June 25, 1943, Dr. W. S. Bourn, 

 now of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, makes the following 

 statements about the recovery of duck feeds after the restoral of the locks: 



''You undoubtedly will be delighted to know that the waters in question 

 have returned to a maximum productivity of duck food plants. Last year 

 the peak was reached and sago pondweed seed was washed ashore in wind- 

 rows. The history of the return of sago pondweed is very interesting. As 

 you will remember, you and myself predicted that first Chara and Nitella 

 would carpet the bottom. It took about two years for these growths to be- 

 come appreciable in extent. In the third year these plants covered the bot- 

 tom and the water became crystal clear. Then by the fifth year sago pond- 



