For Immediate Release For more information contact:Nov 24, 2010 John Couch(252) 995-4955This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Access Organizations Review the Final Environmental Impact Statement
Access organizations are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area released by the National Park Service November 15, 2010. The Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA), North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA), the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club and others are currently evaluating the massive FEIS document, which is in excess of 1,000 pages. In the FEIS, the National Park Service cites Alternative F as their preferred plan for managing access to the seashore for the next 10 to 15 years. Following a preliminary review of the FEIS, access organizations believe it misapplies visitation use within the seashore and places a heavy economic burden on the local community and visiting population. John Couch, OBPA President said, "The expanded closures in Alternative F will forever close untenable portions of this recreational area and deny access to the aged, disabled, handicapped and very young visitors." The enabling legislation that established America's first national seashore in 1937 directed the Park Service to fulfill a dual mandate of protecting natural resources while promoting present and future recreational opportunities. Couch explained, "Alternative F calls for overreaching resource protection and most importantly places a cloud of economic uncertainty upon the citizens of Dare and Hyde counties. The Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, located within the seashore, contains an additional 13 miles of resource and wilderness protection and should be included as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area visitor experience." Access organizations call upon the National Park Service to reconsider the economic impact data to avoid leading the state of North Carolina down a destructive path of economic uncertainty. Couch added, "We can all share in North Carolina's most treasured assets and fully support resource protection that is based on peer-reviewed science while balancing the mandate for reasonable recreational access." Next, the National Park Service will release a Record of Decision on the FEIS and then publish a proposed ORV rule, which will be followed by a 60-day period for public comments. Couch concluded, "We must all prepare to make public comments on the ORV Rule as soon as it is released. This could be the last opportunity for the public to speak out in favor of access." Visit www.OBPA.org for more information and how you can help. |
Final Environmental Impact Statement |
(FEIS)
Released Today |
|
November 15, 2010 - The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area was released today by the National Park Service. The document follows the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which was released earlier this year and received extensive public comment. There will not be a public comment period on the FEIS. However, there is a 30-day waiting period before a Record of Decision (ROD) can be issued. Sometime after release of the Record of Decision, Superintendent Mike Murray will publish a Proposed ORV Rule based upon the FEIS. This will then be followed by a 60-day public comment period. |
To read FEIS Click Here...
The POP’s RAW BAR fundraiser for beach access on Sunday November 21 was a rousing success. $6,300 was raised to help in the fight to preserve pedestrian and ORV access to the beaches within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. POP’s was packed all afternoon and a good time was had by all. Special thanks to Pops Raw Bar and Heather and her staff, Dillons Corner and Quality Pools, for their hard work in pulling off this special event. Vendors and businesses contributed mightly, and special recognition to all who support ' Beach Access' !!
Be sure to stop by POP’s and express your appreciation for their support
NEWS RELEASE
Congressman Walter B. Jones urges EPA to stand with
fishermen and deny petition to ban lead fishing tackle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and fellow members of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to deny a petition from environmental organizations to ban the use of lead in fishing products. The petition, which is opposed by fishing organizations organizations across the country, would hurt recreational fisherman by driving up costs on traditional fishing tackle. Jones and his colleagues believe there is no scientific evidence demonstrating that a ban is necessary.
The text of the Congressional Sporstmen’s Caucus letter to EPA, which was signed by 78 members of Congress, follows below:
“Dear Administrator Jackson:
As members of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, the largest and most active caucus on Capitol Hill, we are writing to urge you to dismiss the petition to ban the use of lead in fishing products. The attached letter from leading hunting, fishing and conservation organizations clearly points out that there is no scientific basis to warrant such a far reaching ban on traditional fishing equipment. A similar proposal to ban lead fishing tackle was dismissed by the EPA in the mid-1990s, because there was insufficient data to support such a ban – there is no additional data to support a ban today.
The American wildlife management model is the best in the world, and one of the pillars of this model is that the states retain the authority to manage most of their fish and wildlife. These state agencies are already monitoring and addressing any of the localized issues surrounding lead, making this draconian ban not only unnecessary, but intrusive. In a letter to you on this very issue dated September 2nd, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents the collective perspectives of the 50 state fish and wildlife agencies, concludes, “A national ban on lead fishing sinkers is therefore neither necessary nor appropriate.”
The President’s “America’s Great Outdoors” initiative is aimed at reconnecting Americans to the outdoors; fishing is an accessible, fun, family oriented activity that should be embraced and encouraged as part of this initiative. A ban on traditional fishing tackle will drive up costs substantially and serve as a disincentive for more Americans to get outside and enjoy this great pastime.
There are 60 million recreational anglers in America that contribute $125 billion to our economy annually. Penalizing these men, women and children that are the best stewards of our environment, as well as the financial backbone to fish and wildlife conservation in our country, would be a terrible and unnecessary injustice.
We urge you to deny the petition to ban the use of lead in fishing products.”
For additional information, please contact Catherine Fodor in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.
ARE YOU PIPING MAD YET?
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND YOU WILL BE!!!
Piping Mad: Fair People at the Mercy of a Government Gone Fowl from Kevin Hicks on Vimeo.
This documentary video is being distributed nationally by the OBPA, NCBBA (North Carolina Beach Buggy Association) and CHAC (Cape Hatteras Anglers Club) thanks to a generous gift from
The Bob and Jean Schonk Charitable Trust
Please share this video with others who share our passion for common sense access to national resources such as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.
If you have questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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