hatteras beach access prroblem

[chipny]

originally from OBX beach groups


if you care about beach access of all types on Cape Hatteras please take a minute to read.

DEADLINE TO ACT 8.20.2015.


A new hope.....In December of 2014 congress passed the Beach Authorization REFORM bill. Which basically commands the Department of Interior (the Nation Park Service) to reform the restrictive current beach closure rules, that were enacted in 2010, to allow MORE beach access (both pedestrian and ORV)

The NPS is now taking suggestions from the public (deadline is 8-20-15) and will create new rules and then report back to congress saying that they have conformed to the new law.

The NPS is under huge pressure from the Audubon which has started a form letter "writing" campaign where basically uninformed members of the Audubon mindlessly send in a form letter to the NPS saying that the beaches should remain closed and even call for further closures. The Audobon uses outright lies showing a photo of an ATV shooting sand into the air representing the image as if it where in Cape Hatteras misleading its members to act.

The NPS hosted a meeting tonight which i attended, at the Cape Hatteras High School in Buxton calling for suggested changes to the current beach access rules. So NOW is the time for you to be heard, the deadline is 8-20-15!

I know everyone is busy with life and somewhat worn down by this, but please take a minute to fill out this form on the NPS website and tell them what kind of access changes to the restrictive rules implemented in 2010 that you'd like to see.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who loves walking on the beach in cape hatteras.... via email, facebook..whatever...

Here are my modest suggestions...

1.) Tell them to restore access to the sound side beach just south of the Haulover (Canadian Hole). which has been enjoyed by Family's and Watersports enthusiasts for many years. The area is shown to be "ORV open" on the NPS maps but there is no access since they put up the fence at the hole parking lot. Two specific suggestions. a.) easiest and quickest solution would be to lift the No ORV stakes at kite point and allow ORV to access sound side shore line south of the hole from kite point, not ideal..but would be quick and easy and low dollar. b.) build an ORV access point from the SE corner (not SW) or the parking lot where it would not be prone to wash out from storms (which is why we lost the original access point). An "S" shaped access point would be far less likely to wash out than a straight ramp.

2.) Tell them to restore both Pedestrian and ORV access to Ramp 34 which is 500 yards north of Avon village year around. Currently most of the year there is no access there.. only in the winter is it open to ORV use. Most anyone will agree that closing the ramp closest to the Village forcing beachgoers to drive further into a wilderness ares (other ramps that are open further away from town) is certainly a puzzling decision. How on earth is that good for the environment? now you force people to drive further, burn more gas and create more pollution, into an area that typically saw little traffic. At least ORV access 1000 yards to the north and 100% pedestrian access year around.

3.) Tell them to restore both Pedestrian and ORV access to Ramp 23 which is 500 yards south of Salvo village year around. Currently most of the year there is no access there.. only in the winter is it open to ORV use. Most anyone will agree that closing the ramp closest to the Village forcing beachgoers to drive further into a wilderness ares (other ramps that are open further away from town) is certainly a puzzling decision. How on earth is that good for the environment? now you force people to drive further, burn more gas and create more pollution, into an area that typically saw little traffic. At least ORV access 1000 yards to the south and 100% pedestrian access year around.

4.) Build a parking lot at Kite point. Rt. 12 in this area is a huge safety issue. people enjoy using kite point. build a parking lot for them so they won't have to park along Rt 12. (note: This issue has been caused by requiring a beach driving permit to access kite point now people park on route 12 to avoid the beach driving permit fee.)

5.) Make Sound Side beach driving access free. If sound side beach driving access was free it would solve the safety issue of cars parking along all of Rt 12 instantly. Now you could safely and legally pull off Route 12 and park in a safe area. Use the current beach camp fire permit as a model. Sound side beach ORV access would free but you'd still have to get the permit so the NPS can "educate" the public about safe soundside beach access. Or make the sound side beach access ORV fee very affordable.. say $15.. so everyone would comply. This would immediately stop the insanity going on Rt 12 all up and down the Cape Hatteras Seashore.

6.) Make it so that when you buy a yearly Beach driving permit that it actually is good for a year. Yearly beach driving permits would last one year from the date of purchase.

7.) Tell them to take the Reform Bill to heart, beach walking below the hi tide line anywhere in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore should not be a crime. There are currently large stretches of shoreline in which you are not allowed walk. Open those beaches and change the law.. beach walking is not a crime.

here is the link to submit your suggestions to the NPS.

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=67586

and here is a link to the Outer Banks Preservation Association's website with there suggestions to submit.

http://obpa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=546:orv-rule-public-scoping-comments-due-8212015&catid=39:coalition-statements&Itemid=60

http://obpa.org/

Cape Point - CLOSED

Campground - EMPTY