Thank you to all who commented to the National Park Service during the official proposed rule comment period which ended on September 19.  The comments submitted by the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance on the nineteenth were also endorsed by the following organizations: Dare County Board of Commissioners; Hyde County Board of Commissioners; Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce; Cape Hatteras Business Allies; Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Civic Association – Board of Directors; Ocracoke Civic and Business Association; Hatteras Village Civic Association; American Sportfishing Association; Avon Property Owners Association; United Mobile Access Preservation Alliance; Watersports Industry Association; United Four Wheel Drive Associations; Recreational Fishing Alliance; Kinnakeet Shores Property Owners Association; Greater Kinnakeet Shores Homeowners, Inc.; Cape Hatteras Anglers Club; Outer Banks Preservation Association; North Carolina Beach Buggy Association; Coastal Conservation Association North Carolina.  The comments may be reviewed at http://obpa-nc.org/Rule/CHAPA_Rule_Response.pdf

Many significant issues and concerns have been raised by the public and must be addressed by the National Park Service before a final rule is published and implemented.  Based on the timeline previously announced by the NPS, the final rule is expected by mid-November.  It remains to be seen if the NPS will adequately modify the rule to make it acceptable.  The OBPA will carefully review information as it becomes available and will continue to evaluate options to pursue that will ensure free and open access to the beaches within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.  We will advise you when additional information becomes available from the NPS.