News came yesterday of the weekend discovery of vandalism to bird closure signs at Cape Point.

The find was disturbing to many. It also caused an expansion of areas already closed to vehicles and pedestrians by 50 meters. Any further such discoveries will enlarge the closed areas by another 100 meters. If a third violation is found, the beaches will be closed down entirely.

The battle between proponents of using the beach and environmentalists who oppose it always has had the potential to get ugly. Environmentalists have a long history of using extreme measures to protect their beloved birds and turtles. And, let's face it, not everybody who wants to drive onto the beach is a saint.

But vandalism? Come on people. The current closures are bad enough. They are all but destroying the lives of the wonderful people of Hatteras Island.

Current rules of the judge-ordered Consent Decree call for almost instant and tough responses to any violations.

The destruction to 12 basically symbolic area closure signs over the weekend prompted the action by the National Park Service.

So . . . who would do such a stupid thing?

Angry fishermen? Youths who are mad that they can't drive their 4-wheel drive trucks onto the beach for nighttime parties? Maybe it's environmentalists who know that by breaking the decree rules they can get more of the beach closed.

Who knows.

"If it's somebody from our side, it's a sign of frustration," said Rob Alderman, a 33-year-old advocate of the right to drive onto and fish from the beach. Alderman runs the Hatteras Island Fishing Malitia Website. "And you're always going to have that conspiracy theory about the other side.

"The problem in that area is that there isn't much beach left for us to loose. But it's something that doesn't make anybody look good, no matter who did it."

Alderman has been on a crusade of sorts, trying to make sure as much information as possible is out there about the beach closures, which were the result of a law suit between two groups - Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society - and the parks service. The environmentalists had asked for a complete closure until an ORV plan could be put in place. The judge refused to order the beach closed while a plan was hammered out between the two sides.

That plan was put into place and almost instantly a couple of birds - terns and plovers - were spotted. The parks service had to close off ramps and some of the beach last week. The ramp closures effectively closed those beaches to vehicles. All the beaches on the island are closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., arguably the best time to catch fish this time of year.

The closures and limitations have had a trickle-down effect. Not as many anglers are coming to the island. Hotels have cancellations. Restaurants aren't full. Bait shops aren't selling. The people who work and live on the island are hurting. Those who love to come to Hatteras to spend their money and get away from it all are hurting, too.

Additional closures, the result of a few ignorant individuals who want to tear down a few signs, will cause more hardships on more people.

So, to those individuals who tore down the 12 signs, let's just say that I wouldn't want to be you when somebody finds out that you are the culprit. Nope, I wouldn't want to be you.