For years folks have used off-road vehicles to negotiate some of the farther reaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. And for years the National Park Service failed to develop a management plan for those ORVers. And now it's time to pay the piper.
On April 3 a federal judge will consider a request by Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society to restrict ORV access to South Ocracoke, Hatteras Spit, North Ocracoke, Cape Point, South Beach and Bodie Island Spit for up to three years because of the presence of piping plovers, which have been considered a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act since January 1986.
The lawsuit contends the Park Service has run afoul of the National Park Organic Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the enabling legislation for the seashore, and the Park Service's own Management Policies by implementing an interim ORV management plan and failing to produce a long-term management plan.
The National Park Service’s Interim Plan and the ORV use it allows are substantially harming – and will continue to harm – important populations of endangered and threatened sea turtle species, threatened, special concern, or significantly rare bird species, and a threatened plant species, as well as other natural resources, serenity, and other recreational uses of the Seashore generally, reads one of the claims.
On Saturday, in a protest against the conservation groups, an estimated 200 ORV supporters showed up in a gale at Cape Point on the seashore to attend a rally.
In Sunday's editions of the Charlotte Observer, meanwhile, outdoors writer Tim Higgins satirized the situation by looking into the future to listen to a conversation between a young boy and his grandfather over why they no longer fish at Cape Point.
What's unfortunate is that the Park Service might have avoided this situation by acting sooner on developing a management plan for ORVs.
Comments
A Quote by martin luther. Come now.
I have been to the previously mentioned beaches and hate all the vehicles there. I think they should limit the amount of vehicles per day.
We are caretakers of the earth but not at the expense of ourselves.
Thank you for a rational answer, finally -- from someone.
Boy, this thread sure has deteriorated.
As far as wildlife being eradicated in order to protect selected species the facts are available. It has been done and will more than likely continue.
Anonymous (not verified)
On March 15th, 2008
Why go to Cape Point to "protest"? It seems if these extremists had any gonads at all, they would be inside the Federal Courthouse on 4/4 and let the judge know how they feel.
I was troubled by this post.
First the "protest" was in fact a peaceful gathering of concerned citizens, they hardly qualify as extremist. In most "protests" there are banners and signs complaining about one thing and declaring another. The only signs present that day on the beach were American flags.
Overall your statement is inflammatory, immature and shows a lack of respect for anyone who might have a viewpoint that differs from yours.
On your last point so eloquently stated. I can assure you that there will be concerned citizens at this hearing. This ruling will have a direct affect on their livelihood and their future.
Once again, all I hear is half the story. The Audubon and DOW collect money from people across the United States to fight their personnal battles by publishing untrue stories and numbers. The Park has done a good job with the shorebirds and no piping plover has ever been run over by an ORV! The picture shown was the most crowed day ever and was taken on the 4th of July I bet. These two groups had a chance to go to the table with eveyone else but instead filed a lawsuit. Real brave, real American......I just sat 8 hours with their lawyers and I have never seen more deceitful people in my life. Know your facts before you speak your mine.
Ship,
So you're saying they shot a second fox which they did not report? Are your photos online anywhere? Can you post them?
Big EL
Maybe that anonymous has been reading too much of "The General's" militaristic rhetoric over at OBXconnections? Or maybe they found the posting of the "opposition's" home addresses at the Post Office as referenced earlier, "extreme"? There obviously can be extremists on both sides of an issue.
Snowbird06
Geez you guys stop the nit picking and get on with resolving the problems at the Cape with some concrete solutions.
I agree with you Snowbird06.
Unfortunatley this is typically what happens when outlandish claims are responded to with intelligent and accurate facts.
Peace
"Harp (not verified)
On March 19th, 2008
A Quote by martin luther. Come now.
I have been to the previously mentioned beaches and hate all the vehicles there. I think they should limit the amount of vehicles per day.
We are caretakers of the earth but not at the expense of ourselves."
How arrogant to think that the earth depends on us, humans, for it's survival, but thats another debate!
I'm curious Harp......How did you access the beach when you went there?
Those of you that think a permit system is the answer, be aware, in situations where this is done, a limited number of passes is sold each year. If you don't get one....too bad. Usually the rental homes each have a pass for the renters, but no temporary passes are available for the day-tripper or weekend visitor.
Up north, if I'm not mistaken you have to purchase the passes in person, not online.
Ever been to a beach where they limit the number vehicles on the beach at one time??
Lines develop, one vehicle leaves one is allowed on. So don't run to the store for more ice or to the rental house for the suntan lotion cause you'll have to wait in line like everybody else to get back on the beach. In the summertime, if you're not there early enough, it's possible that you won't be able to get on the beach at all. These type of regulated beaches usually don't allow people to stay on them after dark. No more sunrise or sunset walks on the beach.
But then we're not concerned about that. Whats important is that the wildlife is not disturbed.
Have a nice day!