AS THE COURT DATE that could determine the fate of beach driving in Cape Hatteras National Seashore looms closer, the Outer Banks community is pulling together in an attempt to forestall a ban on beach driving at prime fishing spots.
Proponents of off-road vehicle access in the seashore are reaching out to spread the word that recreational driving could cease for years - or more.
Greg Roberts, a Kill Devil Hills businessman and Realtor, said many people he encounters assume that the issue will be worked out and that there's no cause for alarm. But he tells them otherwise.
"We're very fearful that this can occur, and we're just trying to stop it," said Roberts, who is spearheading an information campaign on the Internet. "The absolute worst time for this to blow up is in April, because that's the start of the season."
Roberts said a new Web site, savehatterasandocracoke.com, was posted Wednesday to provide information to businesses, real estate companies and property owners and to garner support for keeping the beaches open to vehicles.
Beach drivers - fishers, surfers, birders and swimmers - plan to gather again at Cape Point on Saturday morning to celebrate access by off-road vehicles, or ORVs, said organizer Rob Alderman, a Buxton resident who runs the Web site Hatteras Island Fishing Militia.
About 100 ORVs met there on March 8, but bad weather cut the morning short.
The National Audubon Society and the Defenders of Wildlife last month filed a request for a preliminary injunction against beach driving at seven favorite off-road sites in the seashore, including Cape Point, Oregon Inlet and parts of Ocracoke Island. A hearing is scheduled at 2 p.m. on April 4 in Raleigh.
Alderman said he fears that, ultimately, the entire seashore will be closed to ORVs. He is holding a meeting next week in Buxton for the community to learn more about the issue.
"Whether it's now or 18 months from now," he said, "it's all going down if they have their way."
The environmental groups contend that the National Park Service's interim ORV management plan is inadequate to protect nesting shorebirds.
The plan, implemented in July, "actually prevents many birds from establishing nests at the outset of the breeding season, and for those that manage to establish a nest, preventing the chicks and parents from being able to eat near their nests and therefore survive," their motion said.
In a six-page response filed last week by attorneys for the National Park Service, the federal defendants disputed the environmental groups' claim that the interim plan violates various federal laws and regulations. But, to the despair of ORV proponents, the response acknowledged that the court could find that the groups are entitled to injunctive relief based on the Park Service's alleged violation of two executive orders.
Attorneys for defendant intervenors Dare and Hyde counties and the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance, however, last week issued a much stronger response.
The attorneys with the Washington, D.C., firm Holland and Knight and the Elizabeth City firm Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland argued that the interim plan provides the necessary protection for the park's wildlife. The 30-page response also said that the court must consider the potential harm to the community and the economy of the Outer Banks.
"In contrast to the interim plan, which allowed voices from several perspectives to be heard," the document said, "... plaintiffs' proposed injunction represents only one view and one set of interests, without regard for the consequences on interests other than those they seek to protect."
Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com
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ORV Use
maybe Geezer thinks people will park in the sky so they can walk to the beach. Oregon Inlet Fishing center is not going to allow parking and that would be about a 3 mile walk. There is not enought beach access parking and the Park Service will not build more. Look at the other side which Rangers will be let go as they will nor be needed if there is no one on the Beach!. Nature has always adapted to whatever comes up and No Do Gooder is going to help that. Maybe if they approve this ban all 4 wheelers should go to the Wright Brothers Mamorial and the Lighthouse and have a Breakdown in the entrance's so they can not collect money!.
Banning?
Someone said "pristine beaches". Geez, that is not true. Smokers have trashed the beaches with their cigarettes. It is disgusting to see people who think the beaches are their personal ashtrays.
As for driving, the birds never seem to mind me.
The Injunction
The "only 12 miles of seashore" referenced by "Geezer" include some of the best surfishing locations on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands...Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, South Beach, False Point-Hatteras and the norhtern & southern tips of Ocracoke. Large portions of these areas are already roped-off in order to preserve natural habitat for endangered species which, in my opinion, is a fair and equitable compromise.
It is important to note that a recent Environmental Assessment determined that ORV utilization of these areas posed no threat to the habitat/endangered species. Their survival is primarily threatened by preditors and storms...that's Nature; not man, not ORV's.
The areas in jeopardy are are not "walk-on" beaches. Thankfully, they're not bordered by skyscraper hotels, parking lots, & night clubs. They are beautiful, pristine beaches preserved and respected by 99.9% of those who access them. Prohibiting ORV access would devastate local businesses, rental property owners, and and a multitude of supporting vendors. My wife & I raised our (now 21 & 26 year-old) children on Hatteras surf, sand, & sun. We consider it our special place. Hopefully they and, many others will have the sa
Banning ORV - Bad Idea for many reasons
This is beyond upsetting to me. I live in Hampton Roads, but I've been going to the Outer Banks since I was 1 year old, I'm 37 now. My children have grown up going to the Outer Banks. Why? Because it's our paradise (our local beach gets taken over by tourists every summer anyway).
It just won't be the same if we we're not able to drive on the beach anymore? My husband also loves fishing at the Point, do they think he would actually park and walk to get there? Have these environmental groups even considered what this would do to the local economy? The birds already have PLENTY of space roped off for them. I just don't understand why we can't continue to share the beach with the birds...the way we've done for decades. This has gotten extremely out of hand. There won't be any reason for us to visit the Outer Banks anymore if they take this away from us. I really hope this judge will see the big picture here.
economic impact
cathy enjoyed your article on OBX. if you want a real story lead do a story on the economic impact on VA. the people comming from PA.,Ohio,and other states spend alot of money traveling through Va. on their way to the OBX.
try to get it thru the government of the tide water cities and the state government.
if you paper has any pull with the federal senators and congressmen, it would be great to get their attention.
Quit the scare stories
This is a tempest in a teapot, only affecting some 12 miles of the national seashore. The time has come to quit telling scare stories and start sharing the beach with the birds and with people who don't want to be run off by vehicles on the beach. Cape Hatteras will attract far more visitors if more non-motorized beaches are provided - beaches safe for families enjoying the sun and water and safe for birds nesting and feeding.