4/30/08 - Judge Boyle signs the consent decree; Beaches remain open but with more restrictions. Read more from Island Free Press.
4/16/08 - Parties to ORV lawsuit agree on settlement; details and maps are now public. Read more from the Island Free Press.
4/12/08 - Continuance until April 16, 2008: Late last night an agreement in principal was reached by all parties. Read more. . .
4/11/08 - Beach Driving Negotiations Stall - Read statement released by Dare County today.
4/4/08 - UPDATE ON COURT RULING FOR BEACH ACCESS: The Judge has delayed the decision for 7 days and will plan to make some type of ruling next Friday. The judge recognized the fact that the people of Hatteras Island could trace their families back to this area for 100's of years and we need to remember and consider their culture and tradition with beach access. He recommends that the parties reach a settlement that would satisfy all parties. Read more comments on the save hatteras.com and islandfreepress.org/. Thank you for your continued support.
3/31/08 - Subject: CALL TO ATTEND: ORV Community Forum - April 2, 6:30 p.m.
This is an important message from Carolyn McCormick, Managing Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau regarding the status of the Off-Road Vehicle Use on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island. Please take an hour of your time on Wednesday evening, April 2nd to attend this important gathering.
When: Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: First Flight High School Auditorium
Presentations by:
Warren Judge - Chairman, Dare County Commissioners
Allen Burrus - Vice Chairman, Hatteras Rep
Bobby Outten - Dare County Attorney
Carolyn McCormick - Managing Director, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
John Couch - Hatteras Resident
Rob Alderman - Hatteras Island Fishing Militia
Jim Keene - NC Beach Buggy Association
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is highly encouraging all local tourism partners and stakeholders, whether you own a retail shop, hotel or motel, rental cottage, fishing dependent business, restaurant, or simply love life on the Outer Banks to attend this very important evening event regarding this serious situation we are all facing with the potential increased closures of free and open access to America’s greatest beaches, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke.
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is appealing to everyone within the sight and sound of this message to show up as a united community to discuss what the ORV Issue means to those who live on and visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
3/26/08 - The Virginian Pilot Newspaper had an online poll where you couold vote whether you are in favor of beach driving. Visit this link to see the overwhelming results in favor of keeping the beach open for ORV's. http://hamptonroads.com/polls/should-beach-driving-be-banned-cape-point-and-six-other-prime-fishing-spots-along-cape-hattera
Please visit www.savehatteras.com and make your voices heard!!
There are many of us that are not aware of the lawsuit taking place on April 4, 2008 with regards to use and access of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The website savehatteras.com is for anyone to look at. It is important that everyone take part in a decision that affects ALL of us (regardless of opinion). We think ultimately the efforts are to endorse good political process through understanding and community involvement.
Hatteras Realty fully supports responsible beach driving access in traditionally allowed areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the position of the Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA)as stated below:
"The goal of the Outer Banks Preservation Association Inc. is to work with the National Park Service to develop a comprehensive Off Road Vehicle use and management plan that will meet the concerns of the environmentalists without compromising Hatteras Island's distinctive lifestyle and economic growth."
- John Couch President Outer Banks Preservation Association Inc.
We hope that the parties will be allowed to continue to negotiate and to complete the ORV plan for the National Park without prematurely closing our beaches to Off Road Vehicles. For more information on the Negotiated Rule Making click here.
It is our understanding that today, 2/20/08, environmental groups have asked a Federal court judge for a temporary injunction to stop beach driving on the most popular beaches on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island until a lawsuit challenging the National Park Service and the legality of traditional beach driving on Cape Hatteras National Seashore is settled.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established in the early 1950's as America's first National Seashore in order to preserve a natural beach area for future generations so that all people, rich or poor, would have access to a seaside recreational area. It is important to note that the Seashore was established as Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, not as a wildlife refuge. This distinction was in recognition of the intent of Congress that the area would be multi-use, allowing such activities as camping, surf fishing, boating, kiteboarding, surfing, beachcombing, etc.
The Couch family has lived on Hatteras Island for more than six decades, and our tradition of commitment to the Island and serving others has deep roots. We are committed to protecting the resources of the Recreational Area and recognize the need for reasonable conservation. Today, over 85% of our Island is preserved against development and our family is civically active in helping to make sure that future development reflects our unique coastal village heritage with single-family homes being a preferred method of building. Our native Islanders have been stewards of the land for generations and our clean, open beach areas attest to our success in our endeavors.
Hatteras Realty supports strict enforcement of responsible beach driving and protecting the bird nesting and turtle nesting areas. We concur with closures and temporary usage restrictions based on storm and wave erosion. We approve of seasonal closings of beaches in front of highly populated areas and we participate actively in the ongoing efforts to keep our island beaches clean and safe.
Reasonableness is the key….with today’s filing, the special interest’s requested action would result in an overburdensome, devastating social and economic impact on North Carolina, especially in Dare, Hyde and surrounding counties. Currently, the NPS, local homeowner’s, local business owners, and those same special interest groups now asking for the injunction are/have been working on a compromise, through a legally prescribed Negotiated Rule Making process, to achieve a judicious and responsible resolution to concerns. The injunction is a blatant breach of the efforts of that group. Those who filed, had agreed, to "curtail using other means to influence the proposed regulations during the negotiated rulemaking process."
We condemn their actions to ban beach driving and fully support the efforts of the NPS, OBPA and local and state officials who are working to defend our traditional use which has always been reflective of a balance between traditional land use and protection of the US Park land and resources.
Senator Richard Burr
Washington, DC
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3154
Fax: (202) 228-2981
Winston-Salem
2000 West First Street
Suite 508
Winston-Salem, NC 27104
Phone: (800) 685-8916
Phone: (336) 631-5125
Fax: (336) 725-4493
Senator Elizabeth Dole
Washington, DC
555 Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6342
Fax: (202) 224-1100
Raleigh Office
310 New Bern Avenue
Suite 122
Raleigh, NC 27601
Ph: (919) 856-4630
Toll Free: 866-420-6083
Fax: (919) 856-4053
Eastern North Carolina Office
306 South Evans Street
Greenville, NC 27835
Ph: (252) 329-1093
Fax: (252) 329-1097
Congressman Walter B. Jones
Washington, DC
2333 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3415
Fax: 202-225-3286
Greenville, NC
1105-C Corporate Drive
Greenville, NC 27858-4211
Phone: 252-931-1003 or toll-free (in N.C. only) 800-351-1697
Fax: 252-931-1002
Internet:
Web: http://jones.house.gov/
In addition, please contact the elected Congressional officials in your home state: