TheThe
Inconvenient
Tr u t h
Court Ordered Beach Closing
Uses Questionable Science
By Stephen Hissey The recent lawsuit filed by the popular recreational areas in Cape The Audubon Society and De- nesting birds and turtles.
Editor’s Note: The recent court or-
National Audubon Society and De- Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) fenders of Wildlife (DOW) waited to
Yet the Interim Management
dered closures of large sections of
fenders Of Wild Life (DOW) against
for the entire extended nesting sea- sue NPS until after they were cho-
Plan had adequate protective
Cape Hatteras National Seashore are
the National Park Service (NPS), cit-
son. The impact on the local econ- sen to be on the Negotiated Rule
measures while allowing ORV and
omy has been devastating. Business
centered on Hatteras Island, but the
ing inadequate protection of
Making Committee. The Negoti-
pedestrian access wherever possi-
experts project millions in lost rev-
effects are being felt throughout the
seabird and turtle nesting sites at
ated Rule Making Committee was
ble around nesting closures. It also
enues this year alone.
Outer Banks. As a community based
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
created to develop a fair and equi-
had public input. The judicially im-
paper, the North Beach Sun has a re-
(CHNS), will leave a permanent Next year could be even worse.
table ORV management plan for
posed Consent Decree had none.
sponsibility to explore the effects of
scar on the entire environmental Many visitors came this year be-
CHNS. In their lawsuit the plaintiffs
this on the place we live.
movement. cause they already had deposits on
cited the current Interim Manage-
rental houses. Thou-
ment Plan as inadequate to protect
see BEACH CLOSURE page 5
Stephen Hissey is the manager
Every one of us has a tendency
sands have voiced
of Teach’s Lair Tackle Shop in Hat-
to pick and choose information to
their displeasure to
teras Village. I have had an opportu-
support our opinions. However the
rental agencies and
The North Beach Sun • 4425 N. Croatan Hwy. • Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
nity to work with Stephen before and
manipulation of information, ex-
other local busi-
found him to be well-informed and
clusion of accurate facts, half-truths
nesses about the ex-
PRSRT STD
thoughtful. In this opinion piece, he
and omitted truths that surround
cessive beach
ECRWSS
US POSTAGE
writes about what many residents
the recent Consent Decree issued
closures. Many have PAID
and visitors feel concerning the court
by the Federal District Court in
said that they will
TARBORO, NC 27886
ordered restrictions on ORV (and
Raleigh insult one’s intelligence.
not return in the
PERMIT NO.1
pedestrian) use of Cape Hatteras. It The excessive buffers around
spring and summer
POSTAL CUSTOMER
is not objective journalism, but it is a nesting areas imposed by the De-
next year.
legitimate voice of our community. cree have closed access to the most
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