The unauthorized removal of vehicle blockades at Cape Hatteras National Seashore has prompted officials there to shut down a public access ramp near Buxton, North Carolina.
This marks the second time this year that vandalism has forced the National Park Service to restrict access to the seashore in an effort to protect nesting piping plovers, a threatened species.
Ramp 45 had been closed to off-road vehicle access since May 21 due to the hatching of plover chicks in the area, although pedestrian access was being allowed.
According to seashore officials, sometime early Monday morning someone entered the area on foot "after tossing the vehicle barricades into the brush along the side of the sand route on the back side of the Cape Point Campground. The 202-campsite campground was full for the Memorial Day holiday weekend."
"Upon further investigation another vehicle barricade was found to be missing from the Inter-dunal Road and symbolic resource protection closure fencing was destroyed along the Ramp 45 route," the officials added. "Approximately 34 signs and sign posts were broken or pulled out. The remains of two beach fires were found near the shoreline. The two fires had been covered with sand but were still hot and smoldering. Evidence of the remains of sign posts and the vehicle barricade were found in the fire pits. There were numerous foot tracks found around the fire pits but no vehicle tire tracks were found in the area."
Access to the seashore has been particularly contentious ever since the Park Service was sued by Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society for failing to have a formal ORV management plan. While seashore officials are trying to finalize such a plan now, they have been managing ORV access to the beaches under a court-ordered consent decree. That decree mandates "that if a confirmed deliberate act that disturbs or harasses wildlife or vandalizes fencing, nests, or plants occurs, the National Park Service (NPS) shall automatically expand the buffers."
As a result of that mandate, the Park Service had not alternative but to close Ramp 45.
"The expansion will remain in effect until shorebirds have finished using the respective areas for breeding activities," the agency said.
Comments
Wheat & Dap
Once again I fear you are wasting a good debate. Its the old situation of two people arguing. One sticks to the facts and the other says what ever he feels, and believes if he says it enough that it will become fact. Usually, no one prevails.
Here is what I think are the points that matter:
I think, from the research I have done, the park was established as a recreational area for the people that were there to do what they had been doing for generations. And, being seen as a good thing, it should be continued with availability insured to all the citizenry of this nation. In addition, but secondary, there should be consideration given to maintaining the physiography that existed at that time to the extent possible. I don't believe this to be arguable. If anyone wishes to change the content of the document, there is a procedure exactly for that purpose. The methods used to date have not followed that procedure. To the contrary, they have circumvented the process In a despicable fashion. We know it and they know it. The previous comments are a continuation of their "best available science", "best available interpretation", "best available assumptions" and best "I think it, so it must be fact".
I think, We know that consideration of the birds and turtles is an important issue. The vast majority of users of the shore share the concerns for the well being of these creatures. Granted, there are exceptions to everything, but the majority of people I have associated with on the shore love and cherish all of nature. When there is an attitude observed from some of the villagers or violations of restricted areas on the beaches, One should ask themself, why is that. What brought these people to feel the way they do and do the things they do. As to the way they feel, I can tell you it is because they feel that their rights have been trampled upon. As to the violations, these could be do to childishness, ignorance, anger, stupidity or a multitude of other reasons of which we may never know unless someone is caught and they tell us. We know they are a minute few, yet so many suffer the consequences To speculate serves no purpose. One thing we can all agree on is the fact that they are doing it for a reason, be it any of the above. Could it be that they think some of the restrictions are excessive. No, how could anyone think that. Ask yourself one thing, does the Consent Decree deprive Audubon or Defenders of Wildlife people from doing anything they have been accustom to doing or want to do. I don't think so. And before you start saying its for the birds and turtles, FORGET IT. We are way past that. There could have been cooperation on that issue but, it was your way or no way. Sure the ORV group pushed for as much as they could because that is typical in negotiations. So did the Plaintiffs. Don't say you didn't. the facts are in the Decree. So, I say don't even ask why some of the villagers feel the way they do or why the violations occur. You don't have that right. You may win this battle but, you don't have that right.
I intended to respond to some of the specifics being debated by Wheat and Dap Vs others but I better let it go.
Have to say Hello Kurt, Hope all is well.
Ron