About 1,500 rally to save off-road-vehicle privileges in N.C.

As someone who has driven the beaches for 25 years, I have yet to see any harm done to any shore birds or sea turtles.

Those of you who are against beach use by motor vehicles, you remind me of Vladimir Lenin's useful idiots. The useful idiots were Journalists and "Intellectuals" of the west who turned a blind eye on the excesses of the former USSR.

Our government is slowly becoming an oligarchy fueled by big money environmentalist extremist groups.

Just wait until you can no longer drive on the beach, there is already talk of closing the beach to pedestrians.

When the sea finally takes the Bonner Bridge, and the big environmentalist groups delay it's replacement for decades through frivolous lawsuits, you can park your Volvo at a checkpoint at Whalebone junction, stand tall in your birkenstocks take out your bird spotting glasses and congratulate yourself on destroying a way of life for thousands of people.

Please help us!
My husband and I retired to Hatteras Island to live our 'Golden Years' in a place we love. We worked for many years to achieve this dream. We volunteer with the National Park Service, participate with user groups doing beach cleanup and maintenance, and I make quilts for charity or to raffle to provide money for educational scholarships.
Our daughters and now our grandchildren have vacationed with us here on Hatteras Island for years. My young grandson overcame his fear of the water at South Beach. A small pond develops there in the summer and is an ideal place for young children to frolic in salt water. A short walk away is Cape Point-the premier surf fishing spot on the East coast and close by the shallows where some of the older children can learn to boogie board. It is a spot for youngsters, and fishermen, even Grams and Grandpa. It is a place for families to enjoy the beach and make memories. On April 3rd. it may be closed to ORV access. The only limited parking is two miles away-not possible for young people or fishermen carrying gear, umbrellas, coolers, or seniors with arthritic knees to traverse.
We watch the fishermen in the rental cottages on our stree

We have been going to Hatteras Island for 30 years, because we are able to drive on the beach to reach our fishing destinations. It would be impossible to walk from the parking lot to these, considering the distances. However, do people realize that if ORV use is banned, pedestrian traffic will also be banned? We do not trash the beach, we observe the driving laws, and we do not walk or drive on the dunes or designated wildlife areas. This should be indicative that the Park Service does have an ORV and pedestrian traffic plan in place. If the beaches are closed to ORV use, we WILL cancel our vacation reservations and WILL NOT renew our non-resident fishing licenses. If the injunction is passed and others follow our follow suit, maybe we can overturn the judges decision.

Jimh20.

Be sure to check out the Island Free Press. IMHO it has the best, most timely and unbiased info available on the issue.

http://www.islandfreepress.org/

For those of you commenting on the types of beach users and throwing everyone into the same pot just goes to show that some of you have nothing to base your comments on. You simply can not compare people to visit Sandbridge Beach to those to visit the Outer Banks and spend their vacations driving on the beach. They are two completely different people. Yes, those people at Sandbridge do leave their trash on the beach and are rude and are simply there to park their rears on the sand. Those people who drive on the beaches at the Outerbanks for the vast majority are decent people who are their for recreation, excercise, entertainment, and for the scenery. They stay off of the dunes and only drive where designated, you can't say that much about those sandbridge tourists. Then there is the issue about environmental impact and anyone who has an oceanfront condo, who tear down the dunes to build their condos, and who want more condos are far more dangerous to the environment on the beaches than any amount of vehicles on the Outerbanks. Lastly, I'd like to comment about the "redneck" comments. I think to lump everyone who drives on the beach a redneck is unfair to us rednecks.

So please beware
With every place that you had
Look to your soul
For these things that you know
For the trees that we see
Can not forever breathe
With the changes they will confront

You know some people they just won't understand
no I just won't understand
These things
Thank you for your message but I don't understand
no I just won't understand
These things

For this sacred land
It has seen many hands
It has wealth and gold
Yet it is fragile and old
And all the "greedy souls"
Just don't care to know
Of the changes it will confront

So speak out loud
Of the things you are proud
And if you love this coast
Then keep it clean as it hopes
'Cause the way that it shines
May just dwindle with time
With the changes it will confront

Xavier rudd

save the earth save ourselves

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r8p9viwp4hA

Quite simply, there is no scientific evidence that ORVs are adversely impacting wildlife. In the absence of such evidence, it is unconscionable for anyone to deny the general public access to “public lands.”

We have vacationing on the Outer Banks with our two sons and other assorted family members since the early 1980's and driving on the beach for twenty years. We are a surfing/birding/shell collecting/learning to fish/environmentally aware family and we respect all the turtle and bird restricted areas established by the National Park Service as do most people we encounter on the beach. In twenty years we have seen one person drive on a dune and we promptly reported him.

We have been following this disturbing situation from Baltimore through the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association website ( www.ncbba.org ) and the Outer Banks Preservation Association ( www.opba.org ) since last July but the attempt to ban beach driving has been brewing for a long time. Cape Hatteras was established as a recreation area and is not a wildlife preserve though the so called "environmentalists" would have it otherwise. We consider this a tragedy.

A ban on beach driving would devastate the economies of the villages on both islands and ruin the lives of the families who live there. Most people who visit the Outer Banks do so because they can access specific areas of the beach in off road vehicles

The requested closures are much more than 12%. At the Mar. reg. neg. meeting, the NPS reported that the requested closures accounted for 10 of the 25 miles available on typical summer day. Isn’t that 40%?

Next, with respect claims that the issue is birds vs. ORVs, consider the following counts of nesting shorebirds:

· 1999 -- 1,155 pairs,
· 2000 -- 465 pairs,
· 2004 -- 964 pairs, and
· 2007 -- 217 pairs plus several hundred pairs that nested on the newly created Cora June Island.

The above figures to not represent a trend but rather wild fluctuations. Furthermore, consider the following statements regarding the effectiveness of the current plan 1) USFWS issued a no jeopardy opinion and stated that the implemention may improve habitat for nesting shorebirds, and 2) NPS issued a finding of no significant impact.

Finally, with respect to the many inferences that ORVs are not necessary, consider the following. Visitation peaked in 2002 at nearly 3 million visitors. Since that time the size and duration of closures have been increasing at a steady rate. During that same period, visitation has declined to approximately 2 million.

Quite simply, there is

I'd like to know how driving on the beach disrupts beach ecology? Perhaps you could explain this.

Compromise was brought up and I know first hand that we have been compromising for years. We have closures for the birds and respect them. There are many areas off limits to everyone now and more will come when the nesting birds move in. It's the enviro's who don't want to compromise IMO.

any effort we can make to keep trash out of our seas should be supported, watch this link about plastic in our oceans, there is a trash collection in the pacific doldrums that is twice the size of texas

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QJvifVrGi8o

Even though I ride my bike, I (unlike some so-called environmentalists) never complained about ORVs on the beach. I grew up learning it was the tradition. So, I may ride my bike, but you are welcomed to take your SUV.

automobiles do not belong on the beach, it disrupts the entire beach ecology all they way down to the microbes in the sand, it isn't conducive to a responsible beach management plan, they should figure out ways to make walking to beach more accessible, the environment and the way it turns out for our kids depends on what we do today, don't let anyone downplay the severity of the current crisis we face with the coming catastrophe, the environment issue is the single most important thing humanity faces beside nuclear annihilation, the answers BLOWIN IN THE WIND

Rogerj is an example of the uninformed that were mislead by the 12%. Even on the best of days in the off season with no seasonal village, pedestrian beach and wildlife closures not all beach is open to driving. The 12 % refers to the total beach of about 75 miles not just that available to driving.

For example today the following areas are closed year round to driving.

Ramp 1 to Ramp 2
All of Pea Island
Just South of Ramp 38 to just North of Ramp 43
Just South of Ramp 49 to just North of Ramp 55
Just South of Ramp 59 to Just North of Ramp 67

Between 15 May and 15 Sep the following are closed to driving as well

Coquina Beach area
The area in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon
The area between Ramp 67 and Ramp 70

At the recent REG-NEG meeting NPS presented a handout showing that on 14 Aug 2007 only about 25 miles of the 75 were open to driving.

If the injunction as requested were also in effect on 14 Aug about another 10 miles would have been closed to driving.

The SELC press release you read was in my opinion purposely designed to mislead the uninformed. You do the math.

I'm really getting tired of being painted as a redneck because I like to drive my vehicle out to the beach. Not to throw off on the rednecks, because they are probably all alright folks, but I am about as far from being a redneck as there is in the world. I am a college educated, self employed business owner with college educated children. My vehicle is a brand new Suburban. My old beach vehicle was a Suburban. It doesn't leak or make any messes, I don't leave trash, and we don't have a beer guzzling throw down. We drive out to the beach with our children and some chairs, we are lazy- yes- because we are on vacation! We read, watch the waves, enjoy the fellowship of others, and if we're lucky, catch a few fish! We clean up all of our trash, and usually others' trash. And by the way, if you want to see trashy beaches- just go to the beaches where ORV's are banned and see what happens to people's trash when they have to walk in. Usually they leave it there!

And btw...it's 12% of the currently open beach. Not 13% of the whole. It's actually something like 30-40% of what is now open to ORV's.

I apologize for my insensitive "redneck" comment. I do still believe, however that migratory species should take precedence over the wishes of surf fishing enthusiasts. The Department of the Interior during the Bush administration has made a mockery of endangered species protection. The sooner he and his cronies are gone the sooner the U.S. can get back to it's long tradition of conservation. Thanks, TR - my kind of Republican.

The poll regarding this story has been corrected and reposted:

Click here to vote.

It always seems that those who support Banning ORV's from the beach have to resort to name calling.

Are those in opposition to vehicles on the beach incapable of having intelligent conversations on the matter?

Wait I already knew the answer to that question.

I drive an ORV and I frequent the Cape Hatteras Seashore Recreational Area.

If those, who have filed suit to ban ORV's from the park get their way, Then you, who prefer to walk and you, who likes to ride your bike will not be allowed to access the beach AT ALL. Let me say that again.

In order to protect the wildlife and allow it to be unencumbered by human presence No ORV's, No Pets and no People will be allowed in to the area.

Before you criticize and belittle, do your homework. There's a lot more at stake here than just "rednecks drinking, trashing and driving on the beach".

I think you'll find that the majority of people who access the beach with ORV's are the best stewards.

It's just amazing to me how far some people will go to show their complete ignorance of an issue so important and all the while claiming to be the best informed, thus best qualified to decide what is best for us all.

I just saw the poll on this issue. I want to add a corection. Beach driving is ALREADY BANNED in sensitive areas of the seashore and should continue to be so. The question should read "Should beach driving be banned in areas now permitted to do so?"

What I have read both in the above story and in the comments is a lack or unwillingness to compromise. Rather than making personal attacks on one another what we should be doing is finding ways to meet everyone’s needs.

I come from a long line of fishermen who have enjoyed fishing on the National Seashore for close to eighty years. My great grandfather took my grandfather fishing there when he was only twelve. I myself, enjoy making the annual family pilgrimage to cape point every November to try my luck at catching a big striper or red drum, and I hope to be able to do the same someday with my grandchildren.

I also work as an ecologist for the State of North Carolina. I recognize that what makes Hatteras such a great place for fishing also makes it a great place for other wildlife. A few of the birds and turtles in question are endangered and can only nest in a few places on Earth. Hatteras Island happens to be one of these places.

I believe that there can be a compromise that would allow both vehicular access and wildlife to thrive on the beaches. Does this mean that anyone would be able to drive anywhere at anytime… no. Does this mean that the only beach acc

How many of the posters have ever been to Cape Hatteras? If you have, you know that most of the beach access is remote and parking areas are limited. It's not just a matter of walking over a dune and you're there. Not all beach areas are open to orv's. Pea Island Refuge is off limits to drivers and there is only one small parking lot for pedestrians to park so wildlife has plenty of primitive areas. In the orv permitted areas, there are also closures for birds and turtles managed by the park.

I cam across this article and just had to comment. What do you think comments like this do for your position in the argument? "..throng of rednecks" or "…SUV's tearing up the environment … lazy people lounging about." I can see reason for debate on this very important issue but it is almost laughable seeing many of you paint others with such a broad brush We could all talk about extremes. No vehicles on the beach. No cars on the road. It’s easy to argue the extremes. It’s easy, you say they don’t care about the environment and then you call them all rednecks. It takes more effort to argue the issue recognizing all the very real circumstances and issues at play. These comments just make you look stupid.

The revenue generated by visitors to our beaches help provide the funding for programs that help wildlife. The visitors
come to our seashore also contribute to our continuing livelihoods on
our island. We have always lived in balance with Nature on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. We treasure our heritage, which includes driving on the beach as well as respecting the life in it and surrounding it.

There are many considerations to this complex issue, which is the reason
there exists a negotiated rule making process.The continuation of this
process is essential so that traditional access to our beaches here as well
as environmental concerns are balanced fairly and reasonably.
We all share an interest in preserving nature and having access to participate in activities that permit us to remain surrounded in its beauty.
The advocates for ORV beach access also include people who consider themselves environmentalists.Its unreasonable to label all beach users in
off road vehicles as rednecks.
As for walking to the beach...
there are few parking areas here for all the
beach goers to access the shoreline.I invite those who have not been here to visit and experience for yourselves our current beach access before you form a opinion.
There are areas set aside seasonally
to protect wildlife.It should also be mentioned that wildlife is threatened by the weather, other predatory animals such as raccoons, foxes, otters and other birds.Sea turtles are threatened by the offshore pollution left by ships.
The revenue generated by visitors to our beaches help provide the funding f

It bothers me deeply that as a beach user, I am labeled a "redneck". How little a mind it takes to only use those types of attacks, please.

The fishermen who use ORVs to access the open sections of the beach, are better stewards of the environment. Audubon, DOW, and SELC litter Courts around our Country with niggling lawsuits. The amount of time and money used to fend off this abuse of the Courts, cannot be recouped. If those Orgs cared one whit about the environment, they should take the money away from the lawyers and put it toward habitat enhancement and creation.

My family and I have been coming the OBX for years.Since I was a kid and now I take my kids.The best thing that could happen would be to take these birds who are so endangered and build a huge open yet protected bird sanctuary.They would never be threated by the tidelines again and would not get run over by Federal Vehicles as 20 out of 21 have been.
I want my kids to grow up knowing the OBX and I want them to be able to take their kids and so on and so on.
We do our part in taking care of the beach,we leave w/ what we came with plus some from picking up what others may have left behind or if something is washed in with the tide.
If the beaches close down families who live in the OBX will suffer as will the businesses.It will turn into a ghost town.
Im doing my part on trying to save my right to keep the beaches open.
At least I will know I tried my best.

Several of you "green" city dwellers have called Hatteras folk 'rednecks killing birds and turtles with their big honkin SUVs'. I thought that kind of funny because when I'm down there June - Sept I see nothing but big honking SUVs that come North of the Mason Dixion line!

ORV access isn’t just about driving on the beach. The primary reason for access is to fish or surf. The gear required for fishing is too bulky and heavy to carry on foot. Cape Point, the area that picture was taken is 3 miles from the nearest road or parking lot. Most of the fishing and surfing spots are far from the road and some kind of vehicle access is necessary to get to these locations.

Currently the park services closes off areas where turtles or birds are nesting. This has resulted in an increase in turtle nests as well as piping plover nests. Last year had the greatest number of piping plover nests over the last 7 years. The point is the current wildlife management policies are effective and humans can enjoy nature without taking draconian measures such as closing down these remote beaches to ORVs. In fact, the greatest threat to piping plovers is nature. Predation and storms account for most all of their losses.

We in the human world have already pushed the environment past the tipping point. The least we could do is save a little space for wildlife to go on, something that surpasses every abstract thing we've created. The beach is about the only thing you can't build on down here. These people fighting for saving the beach from environmental theft have got it backwards, it's actually quite funny. I really don't think people will stop coming here and if so maybe it will attract smarter more eco-conscious people. Currently i here remarks on not coming here because of all the development and the hideous by-pass commercial nightmare!!!!!! i think that will scare more people away than conservation efforts. These people are selfish and mislead!!!