Commission flags Clifford Park trails grant after turtle tracking data omitted

Commission members raised concern that a Recreation Commission grant application seeking Land and Water Conservation Fund money for trails and a parking area at Clifford Park was submitted without including radio-tracking and other turtle data that some members had collected.

The Chair said Mark Ward had not provided his tracking file for the application and that the radio-tracking records are not public. "Mark told me today that that information is not public," the Chair said, noting state and federal guidance often restricts sharing precise locations for endangered and threatened species to prevent poaching. Members debated whether including the data would have materially changed the application and whether the Conservation Commission should press Parks & Recreation to avoid expanding trails in fragile habitat.

Committee members asked if the commission should proactively assign a member to follow up between monthly meetings so data and concerns are submitted in time for grant applications. The commission voted to include the discussion in the minutes so there is an official record of the missing information and next-step expectations.