Beach Driving Banned at Cape Hatteras National Seashore?
On Wednesday, US Eastern US District Court Judge Terrence Boyle issued an order that would effectively ban off road vehicle (ORV) use in Cape Hatteras National Seashore until a defined ORV management plan was put into place. This was the response sought in response to a case brought before the court in which an ORV user was fined for driving erraticly and in an unsafe matter.
I previously agreed with other decisions by Judge Boyle, particularly with halting the Outlying Landing Field in Washington County because of the Navy's lack of compliance in considering its proposed environmental impacts. But I do disagree with the assertion that all beach driving should be banned until an ORV plan is in place. Its these type of decisions that make people critical of the role and function of government.
People all over the country have been screaming bloody murder, especially on message boards such as the one contained on the website for Red Drum Tackle, a popular fishing tackle shop on Cape Hatteras. In essence both sides are right; Cape Hatteras National Seashore needs an ORV management plan, and prohibiting access to the coast for millions of recreational users would have disatrous economic and political consequences.
The Park Superintendant Mike Murray has decided not to comply with the order, citing clairification needed on the Judge's wishes. Closing the park to ORV use would have disastrous consequences on the areas local economy, as many people are drawn to the area from all over North America because of its unfettered vehicular access to the coast.. My mother and have planned a trip to Ocracoke Island at the end of July ...and if the National Park Service is forced to enforce the judge's order, we will be forced to reconsider.
Being someone who is more liberally minded, it is tough to hear people talk about all this being some sort of liberal conspiracy. Sure there are environmental groups who wouldn't mind preventing access to areas on Cape Hatteras... but the whole area only really exists in its current form because of liberal policies. The dunes were first constructed by New Deal programs of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, and setting aside 60 miles of unspoiled natural coast for public use is not by and large a conservative goal. Chances are, it would be nothing but condos and "rental machines" otherwise. As long as there is a sustainable solution to ORV managment, Cape Hatteras will stay open... but I can understand why some would have a cause for concern.
I previously agreed with other decisions by Judge Boyle, particularly with halting the Outlying Landing Field in Washington County because of the Navy's lack of compliance in considering its proposed environmental impacts. But I do disagree with the assertion that all beach driving should be banned until an ORV plan is in place. Its these type of decisions that make people critical of the role and function of government.
People all over the country have been screaming bloody murder, especially on message boards such as the one contained on the website for Red Drum Tackle, a popular fishing tackle shop on Cape Hatteras. In essence both sides are right; Cape Hatteras National Seashore needs an ORV management plan, and prohibiting access to the coast for millions of recreational users would have disatrous economic and political consequences.
The Park Superintendant Mike Murray has decided not to comply with the order, citing clairification needed on the Judge's wishes. Closing the park to ORV use would have disastrous consequences on the areas local economy, as many people are drawn to the area from all over North America because of its unfettered vehicular access to the coast.. My mother and have planned a trip to Ocracoke Island at the end of July ...and if the National Park Service is forced to enforce the judge's order, we will be forced to reconsider.
Being someone who is more liberally minded, it is tough to hear people talk about all this being some sort of liberal conspiracy. Sure there are environmental groups who wouldn't mind preventing access to areas on Cape Hatteras... but the whole area only really exists in its current form because of liberal policies. The dunes were first constructed by New Deal programs of the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, and setting aside 60 miles of unspoiled natural coast for public use is not by and large a conservative goal. Chances are, it would be nothing but condos and "rental machines" otherwise. As long as there is a sustainable solution to ORV managment, Cape Hatteras will stay open... but I can understand why some would have a cause for concern.
The local concern is the negative impact on the local economy. I guess the liberal concern is the protection of the birds. As a conservative, birds are of little concern to me
Posted by OBX Beach Bum on April 06, 2008 at 12:42 PM EDT #
Perhaps that is the error of the locals. The environmental groups are reaching a negotiated outcome for this case because they do consider the impact on the local economies as part of the consent decree. Having lived in KDH, I know most locals could really care less about the environmental interests at all.
Ideally solutions would reach a degree of parity between the concerns (environment and economy). The environmental groups made the play to take it to federal court because negotiated rulemaking settlements (where one side is unwilling to budge at all) are not constructive and ultimately waste the resources of all parties involved.
I would also be careful to obscure conservatism with capitalism. There are many conservative conservation organizations out there (such as Ducks Unlimited) and believe that there should be a balance. There is always a buck to be made somewhere. I believe that the local economy of Dare County is important, but economics is not the only value we should share.
Posted by Stephen Kleinschmit on April 06, 2008 at 02:33 PM EDT #