MANY OFF-ROAD vehicle drivers bristle at the suggestion that they aren't good stewards of the environment at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They now have an opportunity to demonstrate just how committed they are to protecting the park's natural resources.
Last week, a federal judge approved a court settlement that imposes new restrictions on when and where surf fishermen and others can drive their vehicles along the shoreline.
The deal ends a lawsuit filed by two national environmental groups that successfully argued the National Park Service hasn't done enough to protect sea turtles, piping plovers and other vulnerable species of wildlife from ORVs. The compromise is designed to remain in place until federal officials develop a long-term ORV management plan for the park.
The terms of the settlement aren't as drastic as many ORV drivers feared - or as onerous as some still claim.
Generally, the plan calls for drivers and pedestrians to steer clear of identified pre-nesting areas for protected shorebirds between roughly mid-March and mid-July. Drivers also will be prohibited from using the beach from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during turtle nesting and hatching seasons between May 1 to Nov. 15.
The settlement, whose signers include an alliance of ORV drivers, affects relatively small stretches of the park's 70-plus miles of shoreline. There's still plenty of room for ORV users.
However, as critics to the plan are quick to point out, the off-limit areas could be expanded quickly if drivers or pedestrians encroach upon protected zones.
To help ensure that doesn't happen, ORV users and environmental groups need to set aside their differences and join forces to help the National Park Service educate the public about the buffer zones and why they're in place.
Such a partnership may not prevent all violations. But a cooperative spirit would certainly improve the chances of protecting natural resources on the Outer Banks and, in the process, help build a strong case for preserving a generations-old tradition of off-road vehicle use.
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A good compromise
Yes, a compromise like this has long been needed because ORVs have reduced the safe habitat available for birds and sea turtles. Thanks to the judge and the signers of the settlement, including the counties and the diverse groups representing beach drivers and wildlife. There are some pessimists out there who are blasting the settlement. Let's give it a chance to work for the good of all.
Birds should be moved or erradicated
Closing this part of the beach is a sacriledge. Anyone who reads this article is being misled. The most important parts of the beach are being closed. Essentially, this is the same as giving the american indians land in the desert and calling it "their land" now.
If the environmentalists are so worried about the birds then they need to move them or let them find an alterative on their own. There are thousands of acres just a mile away that could be used to transplant these birds and EVERYONE is happy.
Maybe someone ought to introduce some natural predators to these birds and erradicate them that way. This is beyond unreasonable.
Hatteras
How can that remotely be considered a good deal? It's a national seashore, not a national wildlife refuge or sanctuary. Maybe it's only a notional seashore now.
You mention 70 some miles of beach, read the closure reports and tell me how much of that is accessable in a vehicle or even on foot now.
It is very trendy to be
It is very trendy to be green now. Special Interest groups such as the Audubon Society and Defenders of the Wildlife serve some very useful purposes on many occasions. Even these groups at times step over boundaries that they should not, for reasons that appear to be less than honorable. Again, the deeper you dig into this story the more you would find that this certainly appears to be the case here. The Audubon Society, Defenders of the Wildlife and SELC sat at a table with 20+ others that had a vested interest in a plan for ORV use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area. They stepped away from that table and filed a lawsuit, even after all that sat at that table agreed that the rules needed to be set by all interested parties through negotiations, not litigation.
Courts interpret and render opinions on the law; they do not run National Seashore Recreation Areas. Courts are established to protect the public interest, which did not happen with the signing of the consent decree.
It not just about ORVs
As of 5 May 08 you can no longer even walk to the North side of Oregon Inlet, Cape Point and the South Point of Ocracoke.
These areas are closed to pedestrians as well as ORVs.
Article on Beach Closures on Hatteras Island
I just read that piece of fantasy about the closures and the "settlement" for Hatteras Island.
First the "settlement" was nothing more than extortion by Audubon, SELC and DOW they gave no options to the ORV groups or the counties, it was either take what we give you or we will have Boyle put an injunction in place to close the beaches year round until the final ORV mangagement plan is complete.
Second, as for there is plenty of room left for ORV usage. I would very much like for you to go down to Buxton or Ocracoke and do some interviews after the massive closures put in place on Monday to both pedestrian and ORV users. I don't know where your information came from but it is seriously flawed. Please take the time to at least call Red Drum Tackle or Frank and Frans Tackle shop and get the real information on how massive these closures are and how unfair this whole situation really is. Better yet go down there and see for your self and interview vistors, business people and residents only then will you see the true picture.
Beach Driving
Please do some research before post your opinions. Two days ago the USPS closed even more beach based on very suspect information. It is believed the person providing the info is providing false data just to close the beach. The fox is guarding the hen house. No one else is finding these birds. The settlement was a farce. The groups that filed the suit are the ones making the decisions. They got exactly what they wanted. They are in control of the Park, not the Park Service.
Mark
Hatteras Beaches
This article should be entitled "Bad Deal On Hatteras Beaches". Two out of three of the prime surf fishing spots on the entire east coast have been shut down. We are taking bets when Hatteras will be shut off due to the overzealous extremists that have infiltrated our area and have the Park Service running for cover. This is a recreational seashore, not an aviary. As they say, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.