US imposes controls on a new security threat - birdwatchers

Gary Younge in New York
Thursday July 7, 2005
The Guardian

US security agents have come up with a new target for increased scrutiny 
in their battle against terrorism: birdwatchers. Birdwatchers in certain 
areas are being forced to provide photographic identification, submit 
themselves to background checks, and even pay for a police escort.

Law enforcement officials say that because the birdwatchers have
equipment such as binoculars, telescopes and cameras, they have 
the potential to commit acts of espionage. The areas they use 
are sometimes close to military bases, dams and sewage plants.

Because they have "sophisticated gear and [are] looking at things 
not normally photographed by the common citizen in this area, they 
may be stopped and asked a few questions," Lieutenant Jamie Rickerson, 
of the US coastguard service, told the Los Angeles Times.

Enthusiasts wanting to go birdwatching at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-
Tunnel in Virginia used to need an annual permit obtained over the
phone, by post or in a fax. There are four islands, one of which was
open to the public. To visit any of the other three, to the north,
they needed a birdwatching permit, photo ID and car registration
number.

But earlier this year the three northern islands were closed by
Virginia's department of transportation.

Two weeks ago, after protests from birdwatchers, they reopened with
greater restrictions. Now, groups of no more than 15 people can visit
and they must notify the authorities in advance, pay $50 an hour to be
escorted by an off-duty police officer, and submit to random searches.

[...]

Full article at "Guardian Unlimited" ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1522968,00.html

Cheers, Steve..

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