Park Service proposes limits on Hatteras beach use

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Park Service proposes limits on Hatteras beach use
Posted to: Environment News North Carolina
The Associated Press
© November 17, 2010

By Mike Baker

RALEIGH , N.C.

Vehicles would be prohibited from accessing about 40 percent of a popular Outer Banks seashore under a new federal proposal that tries to mediate a dispute between environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts.

A final environmental impact statement released by the National Park Service recommends that drivers should have year-round access to about 28 miles of the 67-mile Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Another 13 miles would be open seasonally to off-road vehicles.

Mike Murray, superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, said he realized not everyone was going to be happy with the proposal, especially considering how polarizing public comment was on the topic.

"Some people wanted little to no ORV (off-road vehicles) driving and some wanted unrestricted ORV driving," Murray said. "We feel like it's a solid plan that attempted to balance the conflicting interests."

The plan would permanently close 26 miles of seashore, an increase from the 16 miles provided in a draft proposal earlier this year. Environmental groups had sought a different plan to protect about 40 miles of seashore.

Dare County officials had pushed for open access and expressed concerns that excessive closures would hurt businesses. A spokeswoman for the county declined comment Tuesday as officials go through the 650-page proposal.

The new rules are an attempt to settle a dispute between environmental activists who want to protect seashore animals and outdoors groups who want access to the beach for recreational activities. It's an issue that his been slogging through courts, hearings and discussions for the last few years.

Environmental groups contend a temporary agreement that has restricted beach access since April 2008 has not damaged tourism, pointing to strong Dare County visitor occupancy numbers this year. Meanwhile, the groups also point to positive numbers among closely watched seashore animals, such as sea turtles and piping plovers.

The plan will go through a month long waiting period before the National Park Service is expected to adopt the proposal.

The rules likely wouldn't be in place until next year after further review takes place.