JONES SECURES HEARING ON PRESERVING ACCESS TO CAPE HATTERAS SEASHORE ACT

“This is about jobs, it’s about taxpayers’ right to access the recreational areas they own, and it’s about restoring balance and common sense to Park Service management.” 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) secured a congressional committee hearing on his bill to restore reasonable motorized and pedestrian access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  Congressman Jones introduced the bill – H.R. 4094 – on February 28th.  The hearing will take place on Capitol Hill at 9am, Friday, April 27^th, before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.  A live broadcast of the hearing should be available to the public through the House Natural Resources Committee website.  Further information on next week’s hearing can be found here.   

“I am very pleased that the National Parks Subcommittee has agreed to take up this bill,” said Congressman Jones.  “This is an urgent situation.  The access restrictions mandated by the National Park Service’s final rule are significantly impacting the Hatteras Island economy and are totally unnecessary to protect wildlife.  This is about jobs, it’s about taxpayers’ right to access the recreational areas they own, and it’s about restoring balance and common sense to Park Service management.” 

H.R. 4094 would overturn a final rule implemented by the National Park Service (NPS) in mid-February, as well as the 2008 U.S. District court approved Consent Decree.  Both the Rule and the Consent Decree excessively restrict human access to the Recreational Area.  The bill would reinstitute the Park Service’s 2007 Interim Management Strategy (IMS) to govern visitor access and species protection in the Recreational Area.  The Interim Strategy was backed up by a 113-page Biological Opinion issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which found that it would not jeopardize the species of concern, namely piping plover and sea turtles. 

For additional information, please contact Catherine Fodor in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.

###

jones asks park service to change hatteras beach signs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) conveyed his concern over new signs that have been erected by the National Park Service (NPS) in Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.  In a letter to Mike Murray, Superintendent of the National Park Service Outer Banks Group, Jones points out that the signs falsely convey a level of restricted pedestrian access that goes beyond park laws and regulations.  He goes on to ask the Superintendent to replace the signs.  

 The full text of Congressman Jones’ letter to Superintendent Murray follows:

 “Dear Superintendent Murray:

 I am writing to convey my concern with new signs the National Park Service (NPS) has erected in several locations along the beach in Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.  I have attached a photograph of one of the signs for your review.   

The signs falsely convey a level of restricted pedestrian access that goes beyond park laws and regulations.  They read: “Shoreline Open to Restricted Pedestrian Access: Leave no footprints behind. Walk in water where footprints wash away.”  However, the recently enacted final rule explicitly allows “pedestrian shoreline access along ocean and inlet shorelines below the high-tide line . . . in front of prenesting areas until breeding activity is observed.” 

Clearly, these signs do not reflect the level of accessibility permitted in the rule.  The rule’s allowance for visitors to walk below the high tide line does not mean that visitors can only walk in the ocean.

The final rule is already hurting Seashore visitors and nearby residents and businesses enough.  They should not have to deal with additional restrictions not included in the rule.  I urge you to promptly remove these signs and replace them with new signs that accurately convey the level of visitor accessibility spelled out in the final rule.  If I can be of any assistance in securing this change, please do not hesitate to let me know.

 Thank you for service and your consideration of this important matter.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

For additional information, please contact Catherine Fodor in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.

Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance  

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release:

February 28, 2012

Congressman Jones Introduces Bill to Restore Access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area

 North Carolina Congressman Walter B. Jones today introduced House Bill H.R. 4094 to preserve pedestrian and motorized vehicular access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Access to the seashore is now severely limited due to the implementation of the Final Rule from the National Park Service, which went into effect on February 15, 2012.  The controversial rule was issued by the Park Service in spite of an outpouring of public comments in support of reasonable recreational access.

H.R. 4094 follows a lawsuit that has been filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance (CHAPA), a grassroots project initiated by the Outer Banks Preservation Association committed to balancing recreational access with resource management.  For over thirty years, OBPA has worked to maintain the seashore as intended by Congress when the first National Seashore Recreational Area was established.  Preserving the traditional and cultural values of the seashore has been a fundamental principle of the group, which represents people throughout the United States.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area has been a popular destination for American families seeking affordable, family oriented beach vacation.  Under the Final Rule access to some of the most popular areas is no longer available.  This has restricted access for many, including the disabled and elderly, and caused financial harm to the communities surrounding the seashore. 

CHAPA President, John Couch, expressed gratitude to Congressman Jones for introducing H.R. 4094.  He said, “We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Jones and the leadership he has shown for preserving access to this American treasure, so it can continue to be used by the people for its intended recreational purpose.”

Jim Keene, a Director of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association emphasized the importance of people getting involved throughout the United States.  He explained, “The Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area is controlled by Congress.  That is why it is vital that people everyone contact their elected leaders in Washington now and ask them to support House Bill H.R. 4094. 

Contacts:
John Couch
President, OBPA
P.O. Box 1355
Buxton ,NC 27920
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jim Keene
Director, North Carolina Beach Buggy Association
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

David Scarborough
Treasurer, OBPA
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  For more information go to www.obpa.org or www.ncbba.org

###

The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance (CHAPA)is a project of the Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA), which is dedicated to preserving and protecting a lifestyle historically prevalent on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and specifically at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area (CHNSRA).With over 10,000 active members (representing over 38 states and Canada), OBPA and CHAPA work to protect and preserve local beaches within a framework of free and open beach access for all users, including properly licensed drivers and vehicles.