Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help!

The point of this blog is to spread the word about preserving the right to visit and utilize the beach access of the North Carolina Outer Banks (OBX), especially Cape Point at Cape Hatteras. Below is an article that was created by The Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA), please read the full article and participate by contacting your elected officials and participating in the PleaCast below.

Southern Environmental Law Center, Defenders Of Wildlife and the Audubon Society announced today that they had filed suit in the Federal Court of Eastern North Carolina over the NPS management of beach driving on Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. They contend that the Negotiated Rulemaking process is too slow and immediate action to restrict ORV access is needed to protect endangered species and migratory birds. They want a new beach driving plan in place for the 2008 breeding season.

What will happen next is anybody’s guess. We will have to see how the NPS reacts to the suit. The link below will take you to the SELC’s spin on the situation and you can read both the suit filed today and the Notice Of Intent to also sue under the Endangered Species Act.

http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/hatteras/index.htm

I hope that by reading the above material and visiting the OBPA website that perhaps you have been compelled to participate in helping to preserve our right to free access at Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks. If you are interested in helping I have one link that is fast and easy. The folks at www.savehatterasandocracoke.com have developed an online processes of notifying each of the important individuals and agencies in charge of maintaining the beach access of the Outer Banks, simply called the PleaCast. By submitting your name and address through their website PleaCast an email gets sent directly to folks like the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Defenders of Wildlife, the Audubon Society, and two important Sentors, Burr and Doyle. I am begging for everyone that reads this blog to spend 2 minutes, follow the links provided, and let at least 1 friend know what is going on. Lets work together to preserve the FREE ACCESS of Cape Hatteras and the North Carolina Outer Banks (OBX)!

Another update - from another great website Pierandsurf.com

For Immediate Release:
April 11, 2008
Contact:
Public Relations Office
475-5900
darecountypr@darenc.com

Beach Driving Negotiations Stall

Dare County, the National Park Service, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society were unable to reach an agreement this week on parameters for beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore.

Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society are Plaintiffs in a lawsuit for a preliminary injunction that would prohibit beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore. Last week Judge Terrence Boyle continued the hearing to allow time to finalize a settlement known as a “consent agreement” between the parties.

Negotiations went into the evening on Wednesday, and lawyers for all sides had reached agreement on parameters for a resolution to present to their respective clients. They had agreed on buffers for nesting birds that would create opportunities for recreational access. Those buffers may have caused closures depending on the movement of the birds, but the opportunity for access would still be available.

On Thursday when the two sides met to finalize the details of the agreement, it became clear the Plaintiffs were not willing to agree to the terms discussed in previous meetings. The National Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife expanded the size of buffers they were willing to accept to a size that would effectively eliminate opportunities for access and eliminated 5 of the 6 areas of concern from consideration.

Since the changes proposed by the Plaintiffs on Thursday evening essentially eliminated opportunities for access, Dare County and the other Intervenors could not agree to those terms. Talks toward an agreement were terminated, and a date for a hearing has not been set.

dookisevil Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 26, 2007	Posted on: March 23, 2008 1:56 am Score: 95 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Thank you for posting this, I was out of the loop, and well this is rather important. One of my favorite places on this earth, really a sanctuary to me, and I will forward this to people I know. [ Reply to Comment ]
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: March 23, 2008 10:41 am Score: 90 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Thanks big Sis! Please submit the PleaCast and tell as many people as you can about what is going on at Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks. I grew up fishing there with my Dad once in the fall and once in the spring and I want to make sure that I can do the same with my children! [ Reply to Comment ]
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: March 24, 2008 7:36 pm Score: 89 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Here's a great link for you to vote on an online poll - Should beach driving be banned at Cape Point and six other prime fishing spots along Cape Hatteras National Seashore? It currently sits at 95% of the voters stating they do NOT want to ban off road vehicle access at Cape Hatteras and across the Outer Banks! Please vote, officials may see this poll! Also don't forget to PleaCast from the original blog. Thanks! [ Reply to Comment ]
T-Dawg89 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 18, 2008	Posted on: March 24, 2008 7:52 pm Score: 23 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Tarcane been going to OBX for 15 years now would hate to lose any attraction at all. I'm not able to contact the senator's in NC but I will do all I can to talk to others that own houses there so they can have thier voice heard. I Have a few friends here in OH that own property there. If there is anything else I could do let me know. [ Reply to Comment ]
bostonbro12 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 17, 2007	Posted on: March 25, 2008 8:30 am Score: 89 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! i can't tell you what you should to do ..i say make it that the out of staters can-not go out there in their suv/trucks whatever it takes to save that great part of the state and the east coast i know cuz i know...now i live on Cape Cod up in Ma and the out-of-staters trash the @&*^) out of the place and the beaches.. the obx is one of the coolest places i've ever been growning up or otherwise please stand up and save that great place for you and the next in line [ Reply to Comment ]
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: April 2, 2008 11:24 pm Score: 93 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Well folks, thanks for the efforts. Again, please continue to spread the word and get the PleaCasts sent out. I just found out that Toyota gave 20 million to a special interest group taking part in the injunction of off-road vehicle access at Cape Hatteras and the OBX. For more information check out: http://islandfreepress.org/ Thanks again and please, if you go through the PleaCast above, give me a short shout out so I know how many folks are participating. Good luck and God bless! [ Reply to Comment ]
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: April 11, 2008 9:19 pm Score: 91 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Another update - from another great website Pierandsurf.com For Immediate Release: April 11, 2008 Contact: Public Relations Office 475-5900 darecountypr@darenc.com Beach Driving Negotiations Stall Dare County, the National Park Service, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society were unable to reach an agreement this week on parameters for beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore. Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society are Plaintiffs in a lawsuit for a preliminary injunction that would prohibit beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore. Last week Judge Terrence Boyle continued the hearing to allow time to finalize a settlement known as a “consent agreement” between the parties. Negotiations went into the evening on Wednesday, and lawyers for all sides had reached agreement on parameters for a resolution to present to their respective clients. They had agreed on buffers for nesting birds that would create opportunities for recreational access. Those buffers may have caused closures depending on the movement of the birds, but the opportunity for access would still be available. On Thursday when the two sides met to finalize the details of the agreement, it became clear the Plaintiffs were not willing to agree to the terms discussed in previous meetings. The National Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife expanded the size of buffers they were willing to accept to a size that would effectively eliminate opportunities for access and eliminated 5 of the 6 areas of concern from consideration. Since the changes proposed by the Plaintiffs on Thursday evening essentially eliminated opportunities for access, Dare County and the other Intervenors could not agree to those terms. Talks toward an agreement were terminated, and a date for a hearing has not been set. [ Reply to Comment ]
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: April 16, 2008 10:52 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help!
TarCane44 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: April 16, 2008 11:06 pm Score: 86 Preserve Cape Hatteras/OBX Beach Access - help! Recent email - still need help, doesn't matter if you live in Minnesota, Wyoming or Arizona, please give your Pleacast. Once again, a decision was not made April 11, 2008 on the injunction to close large portions of Bodie Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island to both vehicular and pedestrian travel. As of last Friday, there is a compromise on the table. Today, April 16th, there should be a decision on whether this compromise has been accepted. Just so everyone knows, this issue is about the TEMPORARY injunction. It's just the beginning of a battle that will continue for several more years, so PLEASE DONATE AND SUPPORT THE BEACH ACCESS LAWSUIT. Once beach access is gone...it's gone forever! Get it. THINGS YOU MUST DO TO SUPPORT FREE AND OPEN BEACH ACCESS: 1. Make a PleaCast 2. Post www.savehatteras.com on any forum, blog, website you possible can! Forward this email! 3. Call / Email everyone on the call list. 4. PLEASE DONATE! 5. Repeat 1-4. Michael Lancsek [ Reply to Comment ]

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TarCane44