BEACH DRIVING UPDATE
As you recall, on February 20th two environmental groups filed a motion in federal court requesting a preliminary injunction to prevent driving on the beaches in six bird breeding and nesting areas within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Coincidentally, these areas are among the most popular for visitors and residents. They include the south end of Bodie Island at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, part of South Beach, Hatteras Spit, and the northern and southern ends of Ocracoke Island. Pedestrian access to these areas would still be allowed.
Because of the way the process works, we will not have an immediate response to the injunction request. A hearing on the motion is scheduled to be held on April 3rd. According to an in-depth article in the Island Free Press (www.islandfreepress.org), “Most observers expect a fairly speedy ruling by (judge) Boyle after the April 3 hearing since a major reason that the environmental groups asked for the preliminary injunction is that nesting season for shorebirds will begin in late March.” Judge Boyle, you might remember, is the same judge who issued a ruling last year that all driving on the beaches within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was illegal since the National Park Service did not have an Off-road Vehicle Management Plan in place as required by law.
This is a very serious matter with significant implications for the economy of Hatteras Island. We will keep you informed as new developments occur.