Coastguardsman gets medal for ocean rescue

Great to read a feel good story during these times of lawsuits, injunctions, and just plain gettin' stressed out over beach access. Job well done. I wish (Coastguardsman Erik Watson) had been there when I got sucked into the barnacles under the Frisco Pier about 10 years ago surfing!
 
David Dunivan
Mechanicsville, Va.


Island People:  Recycler Todd Phillips
 
As homeowners in Salvo, we enthusiastically signed up to Todd's service last year. We always knew that visitors, most of who come from recycling neighborhoods, would gladly contribute on the Outer Banks. Shame on those management companies who have not yet signed up to be custodians of our environment.

Karl and Billi Haug
Walnut Creek, Calif.



An open letter to juniors and seniors and their parents
 
God bless you, Clifford Swain! We all pray that the young and the not so young make good choices for themselves and all of us who love them.

Rosa-Alice Mayo
Hatteras, NC


The village that saved a baby owl
 
This is such a heart-warming story. Thanks to all the people who care so much about our wildlife and their protection.

Rachel Porter
Granite Quarry, N.C.

In times like these, when we're surrounded by so much shallowness and negativity, this was a great story to read. Thanks to all of those involved who stepped up and went the distance for this baby owl.

Michael Lay
Manteo

 
What a fascinating story and even more so since we are privileged to know Amberly, Mike, Eric and Leslie! I hope Mike continues to photograph the owlet, although that may not be possible considering the nest is so high up.

Claude LeSieur
Lewes, Del.



Sock hop raises money for cancer patients

What a wonderful job the committee did in decorating for the sock hop! I wish I could have been there to enjoy the festivities. Thanks for all the great pictures, Donna.

Vicki Fey
St. James City, Fla.



Flightseeing with Dwight Burrus

Beautiful pictures. My husband would love to take a flight over the Outer Banks. We have been in a plane one time (to Alaska and back) and it scared me, badly. Do you have any suggestions how to over come that fear? The Outer Banks has to be as beautiful from the air, it is from the ground. We love Ocarcoke.  We go two times a year and stay weeks at a time. Thanks for sharing the pictures with others. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! God did a wonderful thing when he made the beaches of North Carolina, especially the Outer Banks.
What a wonderful story about a wonderful friend! Dwight is very special indeed (as is Deborah) and Jordan has captured him so well. I hope to see much more from this talented writer.

Lynne Foster
Hatteras



I truly enjoyed your article on Dwight. I, along with my brother-in-law, have had the opportunity to fly with him many times. After a lot of convincing, I got my father-in-law, just before he passed away, to go up with us and experience this amazing flight and gentleman. Dwight is as genuine as anybody I have ever met. Every time I see him, it is like we have been friends forever. My wife and I renewed our marriage vows on our 10th anniversary several years ago at the lighthouse. Dwight presided over the ceremony, and it was a truly moving experience. Each flight I take with him is an adventure, and I learn something new about the island, its history, and its people. We'll see him in October, as we do every year. Stay safe and well.

John Holloway
Berlin, Md.


 
A good story for a great guy. Always there to lend a helping hand if you are in need. As Capt. Edgar would say, "You better believe it."

Paul Robinson
Hatteras



Guest Column: ORV rulemaking was out of public sight

 
You go, Dr. Michael A. Berry!

Susan Wyche
Frisco

 
 
Dr. Berry, you have expressed your thoughts very nicely. I appreciate all that you said and hope that you have a wide range of listeners. I, for one, will be sending this information out to many of my friends and hope that they will also pass it on.
It is sad that such a huge decision was made without any comments from those who have to live with the decision's consequences. I hope what is happening in Hatteras will make national news or commentary. I don't know what it takes to get the word out to the world about what is happening to this unique area of North Carolina. I have written to every national TV station, large radio station, and newspaper, and still no one seems to care about how easy it is for large, well-financed environmental groups to undermine the economy and well being of small communities who depend on tourism/fishing for their livelihoods. I hope everyone will send this information to everyone they know.  Maybe someone will have the right contact to get the word out.

Betty Russell
Martinsburg, W.Va.



Mike Berry has expressed here what so many of us think about this issue -- and more -- and I thank him for writing it. This whole issue would make a good story for “60 Minutes.”

Martha MuCullough
Buxton
 


I do not know Mike Berry, but I now consider him a friend. He makes the argument that the lawyers for the intervenors should have been allowed to make in court. Thank you, Mike. Thanks also to The Island Free Press for keeping us up to date on this mess.

Nathan Martin
Salisbury, N.C.

 
I am very disappointed with this whole situation. The Outer Banks is my favorite vacation spot. My family has enjoyed vacationing there for the past 10 years. I would even like to retire to the Outer Banks. If we are not allowed to access the shoreline by ORV we will be forced to find another place to vacation, and I will be looking for another place to spend my senior years.

Victor Martinson
Pitman, N.J.

 
Dr. Berry has clearly stated the facts of the matter concerning motorized beach access. With the queries raised by the judiciary today, it appears that the "powers that be" want to finish the job with permits, vehicle size, and beach population counts to further restrict the right of free and open beaches for the public use. Here we go, folks, now it is control by judicial fiat. Enjoy the beaches while you can. The day is rapidly approaching when the few enviro-nazis, leading their ignorant, would-be, do gooders will close the beaches for human use forever.
 
Dr Berry has talked about the rules and lack of candor involved in the lawsuit. I would like to ask about simple things such as honesty and honor. It is a poor example to our youth to have so-called serious negotiators make a promise and then have them turn around and break the very words that were solemnly given. The ends still do not justify the means and honor goes by the boards in actions such as these. Society suffers, and most importantly the youth see the actions of their elders and wonder to where the honesty has fled.
 
We should pursue this matter wherever possible, in Congress, in the courts of appeal and in the public forums, so that these hurtful restrictions are lifted and the will of the people be acknowledged by law.

Lawrence Cullen
Buxton

 
What Dr. Berry has written about makes me very angry. The plain fact that all the science (sic) from Audubon North Carolina is accepted as fact (which it is not) and now widely distributed and will be used to destroy other national seashores -- Cape Lookout and Assateague are two that come to mind -- is very troubling. This is a crime that needs to be brought to the light of day and the perpetrators punished by a court of law and rebuked by their peers. These perps should be drummed out of bird science and be jailed for crimes against humanity.

Jim Harris
Southern Shores




Fox on the beach

Kill the fox. They have overrun all areas. Nobody wants a fox coat anymore. They have no natural predators to keep their population in check.

Kurt Tribble
Millersville, Md.


Here is a picture of a fox and kit up north. I took this at 7a.m. in June.

The fox on the beach (at Cape Point) was probably a kit out on his own for the first time, looking for a meal, not bothered by humans because he sees them on the beach all the time and did not feel threatened. Foxes are on the beach in Brigantine, N.J., all the time early in the morning or late in the day when it is still very light out, and they will follow you up the beach keeping their distance, just being curious, never coming close enough to cause a threat. It is sickening what's going on down there. It's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I just do not get it.

Kathy Freeborn
West Grove, Pa.



I do not see this animal threatening anyone in these pictures. Abnormal behavior does not justify the public execution the fox. It certainly does not justify Barney Fife on the beach with a loaded shot gun and intent to kill. The park manager should be charged with animal cruelty and removed from the service. Any 6-year-old who has ever watched Animal Planet is screaming the question: Why did you have to kill the Fox?
Surely it could have been tranquilized, tested, and removed. If the service does not have a process in place to accomplish such a task, then the management needs to be replaced with someone who can get a plan in place. Bears are routinely removed from Yosemite and given a chance to live. They save alligators in Florida on a routine basis, but in the land of the piping plover, my tax dollars pay for some over-educated federal do-nothing to shoot an innocent fox in order to impress the eco-terrorist legal machine.
 
Does anyone remember the scene in the movie “Dances With Wolves” where the wolf is killed by the ignorant and cowardly soldiers?

Wes Hatter
Virginia Beach

 
It's extremely sad when officials feel they have to "protect" women and children from a fox minding its own business on the beach. The gun-toting officer hiding behind his car door looked a lot more dangerous, as well as ridiculous, to me. Let's get all fired up about our rights relative to driving on the beach, but just feel free to blow away native wildlife that might want to visit the shoreline as well.

Serena Barry
Richmond, Va.



Beach Access Issues

We have been coming to Avon and Rodanthe since 1983, and with no driving on the beach, my husband and I will find some place else to go fishing. It will only hurt OBX money wise. We spend over $3,000 every year there, and thousands of us do the same. Who wants to walk for miles to find a good fishing spot in deep sand and carry of the stuff for a day of fishing? The government must stay out of this or what’s left for us to do?

Judy Bragg
New Lebanon, Ohio

 
What is happening to our county, country, and world? With so may things wrong in so many places, our beaches are what these groups focus on. Where is the concern for children who have no medical care, go to bed hungry, live on the streets? The parents who have lost jobs because the company has moved overseas? Our military men and women fight everyday on foreign soil, spilling their blood, some never to return to loved ones, to protect our freedom! They are on foreign soil to give others a chance to have freedom, a democracy, and civil rights. We are the ancestors of many who have died on foreign soil to protect our freedom, democracy, and our civil rights. One of those rights is to have free and open access to one of God's greatest wonders.
 
My nephew, age 6, learned how to surf last summer along with his little friend.  They were taught by our local teens. It was an amazing sight to see them wax their short boards, strap the board to their ankles, and paddle out to catch a wave. What a blessing to see these two precious boys ride like the wind, and the pride on their faces was a blessing to us all.
 
The beach closure will affect every aspect of our lives, from the smallest to the oldest. Our ability to continue to make a living and provide medical care, food, and roof over our families will become more of a hardship than it is now. Our ancestors died and fought in all the previous wars trying to hold on to our democracy, freedom, and civil rights. One of those freedoms is to enjoy our beaches and  nature.

Rosa-Alice Mayo
Hatteras



First, I'd like to say that my group of fishermen is hesitant about renting a house this year until we are sure we can drive on the beach.  We usually come down from Philadelphia after Thanksgiving.  We rent in Frisco. Secondly, the Audubon Society and the other group pressing the lawsuit are a pack of liars.  They are not giving the true status of the piping plover. 

A few years ago I attended a reunion of my high school class in St. Louis.  A classmate is rather wealthy and owns a 5,000-acre hunt and fishing club north of St. Louis in the area of O'Fallon, Mo.  We were having our get together party at his clubhouse.  As I was talking with him in the parking area, we noticed a plover flitting around, and we realized she was protecting a nest in the gravel.  We put a fence around it to protect her eggs.  When I commented that the birds were endangered, he laughed and wanted to know where I had heard that.  When I told him about all the beach closings in New Jersey and Hatteras, he took me to the shore of the Quiver River where it empties into the Mississippi.  In no more than 200 yards, I saw at least 20 nesting pairs of piping plovers. A check of my Audubon book at home shows that the Mississippi Valley is the bird's main range, and that the East Coast is a minimal secondary area. 

They can close the beaches for the piping plover nesting areas for the next 100 years and still not have any more birds than there are now, and maybe even fewer depending on the weather.  And don't believe them when they say that those birds in Missouri are a different strain.

Dr. Richard E. McGirl
Philadelphia, Pa.

 
I have plans to come to the island the week of April 20 solely for surf fishing. I am in limbo. I have invested money in lodging. I have 10 buddies, all waiting for the answer with time running out. How can we be assured we will be able to surf fish. If they chose not to allow driving on the beach, will they force the businesses to refund my money?

Stuart Bush
Aylett, Va.
 

What a shame it would be to close ORV access to the beaches on the Outer Banks. I come down twice a year but will not make another trip if the beaches are closed. Even in Delaware now they rope off certain areas near the dunes to protect the birds, but at least we can still park and fish from the beach. Businesses will be hurt, as well as those who love the beach, fishing, surfing, and other activities. My thoughts and my heart are very sad that this may happen to such wonderful resources.

Art Abel
Wilmington, Del.



In response to the letter from P.A. Glass of Rodanthe:
 
You need to rethink why you live on Hatteras Island. I am sure that whatever you do to earn money will be affected if the beaches are closed.
 
"No matter what happens, people will always come to Hatteras and perhaps a few rules will bring a better quality visitor," you wrote. And what kind of visitors are you hoping for? A few rules?  I think closing our beaches doesn’t really constitute as a few rules.
 
Again, Mr. Glass, why is it you live here on Hatteras Island? Is it to call the locals fat, lazy, and ignorant? I think I speak for all locals when I say “thanks.” We really appreciate all the help and support you offer -- or don’t offer.

Mallory Gray
Buxton


 
As a resident of the Outer Banks and a mother of two small children, I think not allowing vehicles to drive on the beach would be devastating to our community in many ways. One of the biggest draws for my visiting and eventually moving here was having access to the beaches by vehicle. All of you Moms and Dads know what a pain it is to drag your gear out to the beach. It is near impossible for two adults to handle! I have lived in Kill Devil Hills and now Southern Shores for more than 11 years and, regardless of the convenience of the local beaches, I have always loaded my kids in our SUV with all of our "stuff" and driven south to either Oregon Inlet, Rodanthe (ramp 23), or the Point. We have spent almost all of our weekends in the summer there. If we loose that convenience, I won't be able to visit our beaches on a regular basis - way too much work! Honestly, if no driving on the beach is allowed here anymore, my family will be looking for a new place to live! Not only will it ruin our community with an unimaginable loss of revenue, but it will force many families to move because of lack of income. Others will leave just for the mere inability to access and enjoy what brought us here in the first place.

Nicole Bourne
Southern Shores
 


If beaches are closed to driving, my family will vacation elsewhere -- perhaps we will go out west. I love the ocean, and I love taking my mother, kids, grandkids, and this year, my son’s future in-laws to the Outer Banks. My two aunts and uncle usually rents a house the same time as we do. My girlfriend and her family will be renting a house in May, so we can vacation together. We love the Outer Banks, but if it is changed, then it will no longer have the same appeal. Leave it alone. If we wanted change, we could have booked a Grand Canyon vacation or headed to Myrtle Beach.

Tanya Wilcox
Circleville, Ohio


I continue to be amazed at the lack of truth being told by the ORV groups. I am on your side, but I also have read in detail all sides of this issue. It is not about our right to access the beach. The federal law creating the national park made the priorities to protect the natural resources. Just because the local NPS has not followed the law for over 35 years does not make this "a right" for us. Telling lies to the public is not helping our cause. break beak break

Mike Remi
Richmond, Va.

 
Now I know how my Native American ancestors felt when they saw their way of life disappearing before their eyes. Now I know how they felt when "the great white father in Washington " spoke to them "with a forked tongue.”

Kerry Hooper, Sr.
Avon


All of this nonsense regarding the Outer Banks is beyond being upsetting to me. The fact that the members of the Park Service have been allowed to collect paychecks that are drawn from taxes to fiddle with this since 1972 is absolutely unacceptable! How many Park Service employees have been dismissed from federal service for not performing in that aspect of their jobs? Last time I checked it was still the Cape Hatteras National Seashore AND RECREATION AREA. We have permitted four wheelers and dirt bikes in National Forests where access was once on foot or horseback. It seems there are only a few areas that remain accessible to me in Hatteras as I am getting older and less able to walk in soft sand. The beach will not magically get hard simply by removing vehicles, and I suspect the parking lots where there is walkover access will not grow.
I have read more "bad science" (phrased differently—“made up” facts to support a cause) regarding the adverse effects of ORVs than I can believe, and it just continues to show me that we as a society are either growing incredibly stupid, or apathetic. If the most obvious facts don't support a case, it seems acceptable to just make things up and use them in our judicial system. Why does it seem to me that more and more people who don't have a life feel that it is their new goal in life to keep others from enjoying themselves? It would be interesting to know how many of the people who would like to see access eliminated have ever spent a week visiting the areas that are currently limited to walk-in.

John Ellenberger
Monongahela, Pa.

 
I am saddened about what is happening at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. I listed to John Couch speak via the Internet, and he has said it so well. The National Seashore has failed to follow through with its responsibilities. I have been coming to the Outer Banks for over 39 years, so much that it is home to me more than Maryland ever will be. I will support the coalition in fighting the fight with all Outer Bankers. You can be sure of that!

Stephanie Ryder
Boonsboro, Md.

 
My family and I have visited Ocracoke at least twice a year for the past 33 years. We come for the freedom of driving on the beach, to pick your very own spot to fish and relax. We will not make the nine-hour trip if we can't drive on the beach, especially South Point and Hatteras. Why take away the most beautiful spot in the USA? Please let me know if I can help stop this nonsense.

Amber Hill
Pilot Mountain, N.C.

 
Thanks to Kate and Daniel Pullen for putting this article about surfers' concerns about beach access together. I first discovered Hatteras 25 years ago because of surfing, and continue to visit and surf there.

It's extremely rare to find any surfer who hasn't made it a priority to visit Hatteras for the unspoiled beauty and free access to the ocean and beaches. Most surfers care about birds, turtles, and fish. However, we also care about cats! We also care about having a safe bridge! We like freedom and liberty too, like being American and having the right to enjoy our natural environment. It's a sure bet that many surfers give to environmental groups out of concern for the natural earth and all its creatures. We need to stop supporting these groups. Defenders of Wildlife? More like attackers of human life! Southern Environmental Law? That isn’t any southern hospitality I'm familiar with, and my point is that their law is unjust. They are begging us to fight with civil disobedience, since their argument is so blatantly wrong we'd be wasting our time to even argue. Birds and turtles are important, but so are cats and people. Killing the cats and removing the people won't save any bird. Only God decides these matters.

Groups of non-local, self-righteous political activists with money are wrong to play God, deciding a bird is more important than a cat, or a person for that matter. All the people in power need to know is that this land was bequeathed to us for our enjoyment, and no outsiders have any right to take it away.

Michael Letso
Chadwick Beach, N.J.

 
Kudos to Daniel and Kate Pullen for the article on surfers involvement in helping to prevent the elimination of ORV beach access. Hope the ramp is still open when I get home.  Thank you for staying involved.

Jeffrey Del Monte
Buxton (currently in Iraq)


The National Park System Act of 1916 carries with it the mandate to preserve resources for the enjoyment of the people and yet leave resources unimpaired for future generations. I would call this a balance.
  
People have been driving on the beaches of North Carolina almost since the automobile was invented without impacting birds or sea turtles for two -- maybe more -- generations, which tells me the current system has been working fine. Closing these beaches to ORV traffic would be no different than closing Yellowstone or any other national park to public traffic. If the people cannot enjoy these resources, which by the way we the people own, why have a park system?

The NPS has been working with locals to find common goal, which all parties can live with, to include the local economy. The extreme environmentalists don’t want to work with anybody. They just want to close the beaches for a bird that is at the most southern extreme of its habitat. Common sense would dictate this is probably why there have only been one or two breeding pairs in the Hatteras area for as long as anyone can remember. These birds seem to be doing just fine farther north, which is a pretty good indicator that the ones coming down to Hatteras aren’t going to be multiplying in any significant numbers and just maybe out of touch with their species.
 
For quite a few years, I have been coming down to the Outer Banks. so I can drive on the beaches to enjoy the ocean and the environment.  I spend thousands of dollars every year on the local economy. If the beaches are closed to ORVs, there is no reason for me and thousands of others to drive down to the OBX and spend our money. There are plenty of other beaches closer that I can park in a parking lot and walk to a crowded beach.
Closing these beaches to thousands of ORVs will devastate the local economy.
That brings me North Carolina’s Gov. Mike Easley, and Sen. Elizabeth Dole, both of whom have shown very little interest in this matter. Makes one wonder to whom their allegiances are. It sure does appear to be to the economic well being of the people of Dare and Hyde counties.

Stephen  Andrews
Rixeyville, Va.


 
Great job Kate Pullen and Island Free Press! Also, a big hand to Brett and Casey. This is a very special island and we need everyone at every age to stand and fight now! The solution will not come overnight, so don't give up. It's just like paddling out: how bad do you really want it?

Kevin McCabe
Buxton

 

Our national seashore access is imminently threatened with being altered without the benefit of the democratic process.  The enabling legislation is being violated by a renegade judge.

My wife and I own two rental properties on Cape Hatteras, one in Frisco (which we will use when it isn't rented) and one in Hatteras (for investment). I am also a member of my local Environmental Commission, and, until being made aware of the pending situation, was a member of Audubon and Defenders of Wildlife.
 
Having established my environmentalism, let me say that I am one "tree-hugger" who thinks the draconian closing of the beaches to ORVs is insane, for all the reasons cited in your article: the government's bureaucratic bungling, the islands' traditions, and the calamity it would create economically. I've been coming to Cape Hatteras at least annually since the mid-1970s, and have good friends among the year-round residents. As well as financially, this closure will affect all of us spiritually and emotionally.
 
For our part, my wife and I have cancelled our Audubon and Defenders memberships (and told them why), signed the Save Hatteras "PleaCast," and written to our local senators and congressman to urge a congressional intervention to stop this insanity. I urge anyone with an interest in Cape Hatteras to do the same.
 
We do not condone rude and illegal driving, littering or other anti-environmental activities whether on or off the beach, but Judge Boyle's decision does nothing except create ill will and economic hardship. We are disgusted and disheartened by the unilateral imposition of his "remedy," which is totally inappropriate for the issues it is supposed to resolve - "issues" which, themselves, are open to serious question - and we hope and pray that sanity will find a foothold and put an end to this abuse of judicial power.

Paul Payton
Chatham, N.J.

 

I live in Walnut Cove, N.C., and I wonder if anyone has taken into consideration the effects that this could have on the economies to cities that are not even on the coast. I have a cousin that owns a tackle shop in Walnut Cove, and a lot of his customers purchase a lot of items from him for fishing on the Outer Banks. So the damage to people’s livelihood extends out much further than just on the coast. I personally will hate to have to find another place to vacation with my family and fish because I truly love the island and all that it has to offer.

Billy Bingman
Walnut Cove, N.C.


 
Another way to handle this issue is to line up the Defenders of Wildlife and Audubon on one side and the lifetime residents and property owners on the other side at Hatteras Point, and we can all just have a good old throw down. Last man standing decides the fate of the beaches! We don't need the government to decide this one!

Bruce McCrickard
Suffolk, Va.

 

I've been heading south for vacations and peace of mind for almost 40 years. I simply cannot imagine the beaches of my childhood and my children's to be closed down. The economy of the Outer Banks is so dependent on the beaches that to shut them down without any access would mean the end for many people's livelihoods. There has to be some kind of compromise made that would protect the birds and turtles, while also allowing humans access to the beaches. May common sense prevail in the upcoming weeks to develop a plan that protects the way of life for animals and man alike.

Kate Musick
Gloucester, Va.

 
It seems to me the National Park Service already has an ORV Plan: Beach access only at designated ramps, beach speed limit, wildlife enclosures ever changing and added where deemed necessary, seasonal changes in the open beach, no driving on the dunes, driving only where directed by The Park Service, dogs on leashes, plus all the other rules and regulations. Cannot this all be designated our official ORV Plan?

I have always felt grateful to the NPS for preserving our beaches. We have all seen the occasional knucklehead out there roaming around, but I hope that the Park Service and the environmental groups realize that the biggest majority of ORV users want to protect the beaches and respect all the enclosures and the rules and regulations.

Susan Wyche
Frisco

 

We have been coming with my family to Hatteras since the late 1970's. My father heard about this wonderful fishing island that you can drive right out on the beach to this place called the Point and get the best fishing of anywhere in North America. With such excitement and anticipation, little money, and an old pickup with a camper, he headed out. "What a place,” he said. We all fell in love with Hatteras Island and the local people who live there. They have become our family. We have been coming ever since. My father has since passed, but every year my mom, my sister’s family, and our family visit and stay on the island. This is the only place I can come and still see my dad sitting in his chair, with his fishing hat, pole, and the old green truck parked right beside him on the beach at the Point. My husband and brother-in-law continue the tradition of fishing. We now see two pickup trucks on the beach, and if we look real closely, we can see three chairs setting in the sand.

Hatteras Island and the all of our local family who live there stand to loose a great deal if we let them take the island. We understand about the wildlife and will do what we can to help protect it, but this cannot be all one sided. What do these groups plan to do about the wildlife up in Nags Head? Get rid of all the people? Technically speaking, if they win, that is what will happen on Hatteras Island.

Theresa Reiff
Waynesboro, Pa.



I was not aware of these beach access issues until Wednesday, two days before the scheduled hearing on April 4, when I received an email from Midgett Realty asking for support. I faxed that same day both my two senators and representative here in Pennsylvania, asking for their support/action. Thank you, Judge Boyle, for granting a continuance and looking at both sides of the issue. As one person stated during this turbulent time, humans are part of nature.

We have vacationed for many years now on Hatteras Island. I believe last spring, there were already areas at the Point cordoned off for the wildlife. The wildlife issues have not been ignored! We even came down a second time in September last year and went to the beach at Billy Mitchell. I was surprised at how many people braved the winds (the hovering offshore tropical storm had moved further away) to enjoy the beach. To all involved in negotiations, please remember the handicapped, elderly, fishermen, surfers, young, etc., when you attempt to reach an agreement. To all realtors,  please reach out to your renters for support if you have not done so. This is far more than a local or even state issue. We are behind you -- even us Yankees!

Shirley Miller
Sellersville, Pa.


 
I hope the beaches remain open. My family and I have traveled the Outer Banks for 40-plus years. We have driven on the beach all of these years, and now my children are getting to experience driving on the open beach and enjoying the non-commercial way of life. It is such a wonderful time for peace and relaxation in such a wonderful place God has created. I like for my children to experience the simple things, and one day maybe my grandchildren will be able to do the same.

Rita W. Hooper
Clyde, N.C.



I packed my truck last night. This morning, my family and I will drive 12 hours to Cape Hatteras. We have been visiting Hatteras since the early ‘70s. What I have always loved about the Outer Banks is that I could do any thing there. My father shared his love of the ocean, sound, and marshes that are the cape’s barrier islands. My father is now retired to Cape Cod. I now live and work on Long Island. While we live in places that are similar to Cape Hatteras, they are still not that wonderfully special place where I learned how to play with its forces – wind, waves, and water – and to feed from its bounty – fish, crabs, and shellfish -- and stand in awe of its beauty. That’s why we keep coming back.
 
But if you ban four-wheel-drive access, you will make it impossible for me to share the same experience with my family that my father shared with me. Sure, you may need to limit or regulate ORV access. There are just too many SUVs around today. But an outright ban is unnecessary! There are just too many of us who use four-by-four access responsibly who will be hurt in the process. We understand that the beach is a fragile and ever changing place, best accessed by foot, or by responsible four-wheel access. The last thing you want is hard structures like roads and parking lots.
 
So, I will make my “pilgrimage” to the OBX today. I’ve already paid for my rental house. Because of this love for the Cape, we visit in the spring or fall. Any sunburned tourist can love the Cape in the summer…But we rent homes and spend dollars when it is 50 degrees, 40 knots, and pouring rain. And we love it! Take away our access and see how many of us show up next season.

Frank Messina
Port Washington, N.Y.


 
We own property in Frisco, and my family (Sawyer) originated from this area dating back to the 1700s. Thanks for working so hard to keep a tradition that has made Hatteras what it is today. Man and nature belong together. We love it and respect it.

Renee Bradshaw
Virginia Beach

 

Loss of beach access would ruin the special feeling of remoteness and uncrowdedness that Hatteras Island has offered my family and friends. The summer vacations we have enjoyed for years would come to an end. I am getting to old to lug chairs, coolers, and umbrellas the distance it would take to capture the memories and special family times we have had for so many years. There are many crowded beaches closer to home. Please do not let this happen.

Philip Crow
Pittsburgh, Pa.


 
To Ms. Thibodeau of Connecticut (Letters, April 1):
 
Please understand, by shutting down the beaches to user groups, we are doomed to become another Myrtle Beach. If you can't go to the beach, who's going to provide the experience at Hatteras? It will be your new friends at Hooters, Wings, Lucky's Pool Hall, Beach Babes, Gentleman's Club, etc. because the families that built us will be forced to abandon us. As a result, there will be a new type of visitor as we become like, well, everyone else, including Myrtle Beach.

Danny Couch
Buxton


 
I am not a surfer, or fisherman, or a tourist. I am a local who loves the beach. Our summers will be destroyed, as well as our economy. I think (surfer) Jason Andre from Buxton summed it up best, "...but it needs to be done like most things, in hearts, minds, and spirits of individuals empowered through love, education, and action not through litigation, legislation, and bureaucracy." I hope this message reaches all locals concerned in this situation.

Kristin Tomlin
Elizabeth City

 

How ironic that those ancestors of mine who saved thousands of lives by roaming the beaches in all kinds of weather would no longer be allowed to scour the ocean for victims in this day and age. Let's not even mention that those beaches belonged to those ancestors before they reluctantly allowed the federal government to buy them cheap for the public to use. The definition of public lately seems to have changed to birds and turtles only.

Miles Midgette
Salvo and Colington



And more letters

Letters in support of beach access also came from these writers, who remembered 20 or 30 or 40 years of visiting Hatteras and driving on the beaches and thanked the people who are leading the fight to keep beaches open:

John W. Johnson, Suffolk, Va.
Bob and Bev Walker, Pleasant Gap, Pa.
Sharon Yancey, Midlothian, Va.
Walker Family, Butler, Pa.
Brian Forney, Waynesboro, Pa.
David Hamilton, Shelter Island, N.Y.
Chris Figiel, Hopewell, Va.
Bryant H. Champagne
David Monte, Kitty Hawk
Alisia Mitchell, Powell, Ohio
Sam Krohn, Salisbury, N.C.
Deborah Mann, Suffolk, Va.
Shirley Beard, Colonial Heights, Va.
Paul Scrutton, Durham, N.C.
Stephen Smith, Forest Hill, Md.
Loren Albertson. Elizabeth City
Terri Harris, Williamsburg, Va.
Rob Lubas, Annandale, Va.
Laura Depew, Murrysville, Pa.



Please let me know how I can help in this fight. I have a daughter with cerebral palsy who, in the absence of ORV access, would be unable to enjoy the beaches of the Outer Banks.
 
As a longtime vacationer to Hatteras Island, this is very disturbing. These extremist environmental groups have no regard for the financial well-being of the small businesses on the island or the quality of life of the human beings on the island.
 
Shawn Turschak
Chapel Hill, N.C.

 
This agreement, in my opinion, has been one-sided, favoring a group of individuals who have an agenda other than protecting sea turtles and piping plovers. I have been a North Carolina resident for the majority of my life (since the ‘70s) and have enjoyed the Outer Banks. I can attest to the fact the adverse impact on endangered species as a result of ORV's has been inconsequential. I request the interim plan be contested, as well as the final ORV management plan be reviewed and approved by an institution, which is experienced in game and wildlife preservation, not the Audubon Society. How can Judge Boyle be so short sighted?

Glenn Vick
Greensboro, N.C.


We have lost the battle but not the war.

William Old
Hatteras

 
It is repulsive to me that the SELC's attorney fees will be paid, essentially, by citizen tax revenues. I feel sorry for the rank and file members of the Audubon Society, given the incompetence on public display by its leadership and the bullying influence exerted over them by the SELC and Defenders of Wildlife. I think every estate planner and benefactor ought to be given a primer on personal agendas and anti-social zealots that can and do mismanage their contributions. I will never be able to look at these people the same way again.

Danny Couch
Buxton

 
Because I've already paid, this will be my last year staying in Avon. Otherwise, I wouldn't be back this year.

David F. Smith
Lynchburg, Va.
 

Sadly, it appears to be an end of a 20-year era of our lives with the recent settlement. No point in traveling 11 hours when we have a state full of inaccessible shoreline and unreasonable public land restrictions right here at home. Once it starts, it doesn't end until all is lost. We have first hand experience of that.
 
This will undoubtedly have a devastating effect on the economy on the islands. And I feel sorry for the Park Service for the incredible burden that this will place on them -- not a job that any of them studied and trained for.
 
Our future vacations will focus on New Hampshire, where the license plates read "Live free or Die." This sort of thing would never go there.

Ed Chepan
Burlington, Conn.

 
I appreciate your coverage of this whole matter. I love being able to drive on the beaches for fishing and for family fun with my wife and kids. If we are lucky, maybe someone will import a bunch of raccoons to destroy the bird nests and eggs.

Chris Shelburne
Chesapeake, Va.


Terrence W. Boyle is absolutely the worst judicial recommendation that former U. S. Sen. Jesse Helms ever made. Helms tapped Boyle for a U. S. district judgeship as a favor to the senator's long-time campaign manager, Raleigh attorney Tom Ellis, Boyle's father-in-law.

A New Jersey native and Ivy League Brown University graduate, Boyle does not know diddly-squat about mobile surf fishing or the wildlife at the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore. It's highly doubtful that Hizonner has ever driven an ORV on the beach or held a surf rod in his hand. Yet with one stroke of his arrogant pen, a man who doesn't know a circle hook from a doughnut hole has placed himself in charge of the entire CHNRS in blessing a private negotiation process which took place behind closed doors with no public input or comment.

Few know it, but Boyle has a hidden political agenda. He wants desperately to be elevated to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.  His previous nominations to this court have been stymied by the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware. What better way for Boyle to curry favor with his opponents than to bless a consent decree advocated by liberal environmentalist elements that compose a major Democrat Party interest group?
 
Boyle's handling of this lawsuit and settlement smacks of judicial tyranny and personal, political aggrandizement of the worst sort.
 
William I. Berryhill, Jr.
Chief United States Marshal, Ret.
Eastern District of North Carolina
(Appointed by President Ronald Reagan)
Raleigh, N.C.


 
Last year, our state imposed a state saltwater fishing license, which I purchased – a life-time license. I did so with the hopes that maybe some of that money would be used to further improve and protect the resource. That license grants me the right to fish in our ocean and estuaries, but if the agenda of these out of state special interest groups is successful many of my favorite fishing spots will be inaccessible. It would only be fair to have the license fee refunded.

Philip Smith
Winston-Salem, N.C.

 
The federal defendants, delinquently lacking a plan, are the vanquished, and will pay the legal fees with our tax dollars. But they sustain no other losses. The intervenor –defendants -- local or distant, resident or visitor, sportsmen or beachgoers -- will be the punished. And by implication they are to be held responsible for any deliberate violations, no matter by whom, with resultant escalating restrictions. This is reminiscent of the dealing with resistance forces in another time and place.
What have we come to?

Fred Westervelt
Ocracoke

 
Even though I am an avid birdwatcher, I think that this is outrageous that they would close the beaches or not allow vehicles or people on the beaches in the Outer Banks! I go to the Outer Banks to fish and enjoy the ambience there. It is a shame if they allow these birds to take over and ruin many businesses and close down the Outer Banks to vacationer or fishermen or fisherwomen. All the years I have been there, no one has harmed or hurt the birds, and everyone has been on their best behavior and following the rules. Never have I ever thought that I would not be allowed to go to the beaches. And I am disabled too, so I could never walk the beaches.  Please take into account that many people count on these beaches being open. The beaches should be free for everyone to use.

Cristine Boehringer
Lake Wylie, S.C.


Defenders of Wildlife, Southern Environmental Law Center, and the Audubon Society are the same parties that sued the Navy over the outlying landing field. And Judge Boyle was the same judge.

Will Noble
Norfolk, Va.

 
I am glad a settlement has been reached. It is clearly a one-sided settlement that favors the environmental groups. The environmental groups took advantage of the situation. There is sure to be backlash from the agreement. I personally plan to get involved and pledge resources to ensure that the rights of the public are preserved.

David Crews
Raleigh, N.C.

 
While I understand and appreciate the value of wildlife, I also feel a more equitable solution could have been reached. As someone who spends more than $5,000 annually each year in Hatteras, I can say without bias that the night-time restrictions and other measures in place will result in my family spending our time and money elsewhere. It is a true shame to see a paradise taken out of the hands of those who have supported it financially. Don't take my word on it -- ask the local businesses how things are during the next three years (if you can find any who remain in business).

Jim Stanley
Midlothian, Va.


 
This is to my fellow North Carolinians of the Outer Banks.
 
On this day, my two young sons and I are greatly saddened to learn of the bad news that Judge Boyle and the federal government have handed down to us. My youngest is 10 and my oldest is 15, and luckily for them, we have camped and fished for three straight years on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. To think my two sons could never take their own children is something I never thought I would have to worry about. I was wrong.
 
I joined the N.C. Beach Buggy Association several years ago and began to frequent many Web sites that were forwarded to me and all other sportsmen and beach lovers alike that said this turf war was on the horizon, and it wasn’t going to be pretty. I also began to write letters to my congressman and the Park Service and prompted others to do so. Frank and Fran’s, Red Drum Tackle, and PierandSurf.com were among the many sites that did a great job keeping us all abreast of these things.
 
I'm afraid we are all to blame for this and bear a bit of the burden for not doing enough, but I realize some good people did all they could, and for that I am grateful. I wish to say thank you for your efforts. I will continue to support the local economy on the islands by bringing my sons down to "our" beloved Outer Banks as long as Highway 12 is open. The islanders need our support now more than they ever did! Do not quit coming to the Outer Banks!
 
I feel deep sorrow for the hard-working people on the islands whose way of life is under attack. The way I see it, they were not counted as one of God's viable creatures that is also worth "preserving." When you start putting birds and turtles over people, I believe someone has their priorities mixed up. One judge played God, but he is not God. He made a mistake and now many innocent people will suffer from it. This has nothing to do with fishing or ORVs on the beach!
 
It is my firm belief that God put the forests and its trees, plants, animals, beaches, and creatures of the sea all here for our responsible use. In the many years (12) I've fished Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, I have yet to see a single abuse of the resources we all love and respect. If anything, fishermen have always stood up and asked others to "do the right thing" while enjoying the Outer Banks by picking up trash, treading lightly, and using good ethics while utilizing the great outdoors.
 
There are always a few "bad apples" in society, and unfortunately for the majority of good people that are also sportsmen, the special interest groups will always point to the most egregious acts they can find and implicate all to justify their means to end all they see fit to end. Folks, it just doesn’t make any sense.

When will people learn that conservationists can also be preservationists? The big money may have won this initial battle, but I feel this fight has just begun. North Carolinians are known for their good common sense and their willingness to stand up and fight for a just cause, and it is high time we start acting like it. Support your fellow North Carolinians who live on the Outer Banks! They too are an endangered species!
 
God bless the Outer Banks and its people!
 
Greg Williams
Eagle Spring, N.C.

 
We have been coming to Hatteras Island to fish and swim for many years. We have enjoyed these occasions, and would like our grandchildren to have the same advantages that we have. We are careful around the nesting bird areas and do not disturb them. We take our trash and litter and leave the beach just as we found it. At our age, to park on the street and walk over the dunes and down to the ocean is beyond our physical strength, especially if you’re carrying chairs, picnic items, children’s toys, and fishing gear. If we no longer are able to use the beach, we will have to find a place that can allow us to use their facilities. This will mean fewer visitors to the beach area, closing of shops and restaurants, and fewer rentals, and vacationers, and, of course, fewer tax dollars for the state of North Carolina. I am an environmental person but believe that this federal land is also for our use, not just the nesting birds. And as a tax-paying citizen, I should have the right to use it whenever I wish. As you know, in government once something is closed or taken over it’s never opened back up again. I think Hatteras and the people there will suffer terribly if this ban goes into place.

Please keep the beach open. It belongs to everyone to enjoy. Our children need to see, know, and learn to respect nature, just as we did. Teaching them to fish or hunt seashells and keeping them together as a family may also help when they get older and have more serious things develop in their lives. Keep the beach open for everyone’s pleasure. Please.

Linda Graham
Clarks Hill, S.C.

 
I feel for you business owners on the Outer Banks. But I can't spend my vacation time at a place without ORV access to the points. I was planning a trip for the month of May. Maybe next year if this situation is improved. Yes, I did write my senators and congressman.

Baxter Shelton
Kannapolis, N.C.
 
The environmentalists do not care to share nature. They think that only animals should be able to enjoy nature. Every time they sue to stop humans from enjoying nature, the humans lose. It is a shame that they are going to stop a huge amount of folks from coming down to North Carolina. In all the years I have been going down to the Outer Banks fishing, I have never seen a bird nest in the sand at the tide line. I have never seen a vehicle driving in the grassy dunes. I think we should share the environment, but not be dominated by the environmentalists. The fishermen do not fish in the dunes. They fish in the water. The birds nest in the dune and grassy areas. It is a shame that an entire economy is going to fail because the good fishing areas are going to be closed off. The six to 20 piping plovers that may or may not inhabit the 60 to 100 miles of shoreline in the Outer Banks are just the excuse the environmentalists are using to stop vehicular traffic on the seashore.

David Southall
Charlottesville, Va.

 
In all the years my family has visited since 1967, we have been impressed with the regard for the use of the national recreation area by the folk who live and work there. Their needs and desires are not reflected in the "behind closed doors" decisions agreed to by the legal combatants focused on a rare bird's welfare. Of no consequence are the returning visitors or the permanent residents who need to have access to the "prime" areas closed off.

We have here the best example of what caring, responsible users of the area do not need  or want -- that is bureaucrats and lawyers deciding in closed rooms the use of public areas that are funded by all of us.

Thought: Does the mismanagement of use "break" the original agreement between the Park Service and the landowners? It should.

Robert Walker
Pleasant Gap, Pa.

 
The extremists won. The so-called negotiation has effectively closed down Hatteras Island beach access to everyone but oceanfront property owners.

Robert Leh
Easton, Pa.

 
I have read the consent decree, and I absolutely disagree with all aspects of it. I had rather withhold approval, as a resident/fisherman, than accept this document as written. Who says we have to accept it as the Defenders of Wildlife have written it because it's obvious no resident had any input.

Billy E. Norrell
Avon

 
Well, here it is. The consent decree "negotiated" behind closed doors, out of view of the public. Where are we? China? What happened to transparency? What happened to the democratic process? I'll tell you what happened. "The Three" -- Audubon, DOW, and SELC -- hijacked the process. That's what happened! These folks were a part of negotiated rulemaking, but decided to pursue their own agenda in federal court, and they won. The judge agreed to let our attorneys into the negotiation only after a lengthy debate and after he basically told the other side that they won. The motion our attorneys made to present evidence was only granted after our contingent walked out on negotiations last Friday. It sure would have been nice to have that presented during the proceedings. This consent decree makes me sick!

There are too many requirements heaped on the National Park Service. I don't know how they will provide enough funding or manpower to do 1/2 of what is required in the consent decree. The automatic expansions of the "buffer" areas will simply lead to the same closures they were pursuing from the beginning. What will stop "the Three" from sending one of their minions to breach a closure and have the expansion kick in? Soon enough, it will all be closed anyway. The hotline is a joke. Who's going to call and bring forth punishment to all for the actions of one? I simply can't believe that "the Three" will be compensated for their legal fees! There would be no legal fees if they had simply stayed with the negotiated rulemaking process until its completion, like they promised to do before being allowed to sit on the committee in the first place.

I say kick "the Three" off negotiated rulemaking, continue with the process as expeditiously as possible, and let's get rid of this consent decree as soon as possible!

Mike Stokes
Kill Devil Hills

 
For the last 20 years, I have brought my family to the Banks, typically twice a year. One of the most important activities that drew us there was night fishing at the Point. This decree effectively eliminates beach driving. Don't believe that? Watch and learn. I will no longer be vacationing and spending money in Dare County, effective immediately. That includes canceling a trip planned for next month (May). I feel sorry for those residents of the villages in the park who have consistently opposed limitations on beach driving because they understood that the activity contributed to their livelihood. For this ban to be imposed in conjunction with the housing bubble collapse, the recession, and dramatically increasing gas prices portends some very hard times ahead in those villages.

As for the locals who decided that their interests were better served by cozying up to the Feds and the bird-brains, I have no sympathy.- I sincerely hope that there is a personal bankruptcy filing in their near-term future.

Roland Deschain
Chesapeake City, Md.

 
Being a preservationist myself, I can appreciate the efforts to preserve wildlife areas. But let us not forget that recreational activities alleviate stress, bring joy to families, and build stronger communities. These beaches are enjoyed by hard-working, tax-paying citizens who may in the future, as the bird population grows to what levels, must sacrifice their beaches to birds.
 
What is your limit and what rights are these organizations opening themselves up to liability for suits like, damage to income for local citizens who depend on tourism or other organizations with beach access interests.
 
Let’s not lose wildlife sanctuaries, but let us not loose that which we all look forward to -- a chance to enjoy our beaches. Please beware of how far this goes.
 
Daniel Miller
Unionville, Va.

 
I just feel sick now. They have really taken this too far. I just would rather bulldoze the whole OBX if it is going to be this way.

Mike Cook
Asheville, N.C.

 

I have totally enjoyed the seashore for 34 years. Would love, more than anything (except my wife, of course), to live there. I have not given up on that idea/plan yet, but do wish I had "bit-the-bullet" 10 years ago. The dollar cost would have been more reasonable. I was born in North Carolina and fully intend to go back to die. My very first trip to the seashore was thanks to my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fountain, Back Swamp, N.C., around 1960 or so, complete with pictures made by a Kodak Brownie. Since '74, I have been as few as once, but as many as six times a year. There simply is no other place I'd rather be.

Travis Fountain
Aiken, S.C.

 
After last week's agreement, I had become at least hopeful. However, after reading this article (about judge seeks more information), it feels as though we're back at square one. This does not sound good at all. It seems as though this judge has had it out for us from day one. He's requesting everything that we had feared the most. I'm very worried at this point.

Angel Herrell
Virginia Beach

 
I was part of the original efforts in the early 1970s to establish ORV rules for Cape Cod, Assateague, and Cape Hatteras national seashores. We even had a four-by-four parade of several hundred vehicles down Pennsylvania Avenue and parked in front of the White House. It's a shame that no one from Park Service followed through 35-plus years ago to make sure the rules were published in the Federal Register. Perhaps we dropped the ball somewhat too. Anyhow, thanks for all your efforts to keep our beaches open.

Frank A. Jakob
Salvo
 

I am no lawyer, but it seems to me when the Park Service promised they would never stop beach driving, this would be an oral contract. Also this promise was published in the The Coastland Times – a written contract? I was at these meetings in the ‘50s and heard first hand.

Carol Dillon
Buxton

 
If I am reading the maps correctly, this compromise, while assuredly not totally satisfactory to all parties on both sides, would seem to provide a reasonable point of departure. As always reading the decree, with the “if” and “then” confirms that the devil will be in the details.

Craig Lugart
Fairfax, Va.

 
It's disturbing that an activity (ORV driving) is declared illegal because our government didn't give us specific permission to do it. That's backwards from the Constitution and most principles of freedom, which generally state that activities are legal until specifically prohibited.
 
After visiting Hatteras Island for over 20 years, my wife and I have been considering buying a beach house there. This court issue is causing me to have grave doubts about a purchase now. It sounds like the random motions of a chick will dictate the value of my property and where I can access the ocean on a daily basis.

Ken Kellar
Woodsboro, Md.
 
 
 
This is a stupid plan, and I don't understand why anyone who values the heritage and traditions of the people of this area would agree to this garbage. The NPS pledged unfettered access to the beaches when they confiscated this land from the rightful owners. It is the Cape Hatteras National Seashore RECREATION Area - not a wildlife preserve. We have a huge wildlife preserve at Pea Island and de facto wildlife preserves on Portsmouth Island and the islands in the Pamlico Sound. Audubon and Defenders of Wildlife have greatly dishonored themselves by breaking their pledge to negotiate in good faith in the negotiated rulemaking process. Furthermore, they have dishonored themselves by embracing junk science of the worst kind. The people of the communities of the lower Outer Banks need to vehemently protest this plan and get sustained national exposure to the injustices thrust upon this community by a group of environmental extremists and an all too willing federal judge. Judge Boyle has demonstrated a clear bias in his rulings thus far. The court did not recognize the original promises made to this community by the NPS, nor did they acknowledge that the community has an over-riding cultural and economic interest in assuring access. Instead, this was a behind-closed-doors settlement that totally ignored the needs of the people who have lived here for many generations. This whole process reeks and must be subjected to judicial review and moved out of the District Court and Judge Boyle's biased view.

Here are some key questions that no one on the Plaintiffs side or the court seems to want to face.

1. Why is the piping plover considered a threatened species, and how was that determination made?
2. Why are the beaches of North Carolina considered critical habitat when Audubon's own manual indicates that the piping plover does not normally nest on this coast and only rarely winters on this coast?
3. Where is the proof that any piping plover has been harmed by an ORV, or by any human?
4. Is there any solid science to support Audubon's position?
5. Why has the court refused to consider the economic impact of these beach closures?
6. What really happened to the original ORV plan that decades ago was agreed upon by the NPS, the communities affected, and the user groups?
7. Why have the elected federal representatives of these communities not taken effective action to override this injustice from an unelected federal district judge and a group of environmental extremists?

Carolyn Neal
Hatteras

 
As a long-time visitor to the Outer Banks, I am deeply distressed by what has happened in my favorite vacation destination. Surf fishing is my greatest reason for visiting the area -- lots of beaches to choose from with good access, year-round opportunities to catch a variety of species, plenty to occupy the rest of the family. I will find other areas to fish, but what of the people who live there and depend on the money I bring for their livelihoods? With many small businesses already having problems, this could ruin the economy and cause a lot more damage than vehicles on the beach ever could.
I wonder what the birdwatchers will think when they discover their favorite motel or restaurant has closed because the surf fishing crowd has gone elsewhere? I also wonder where they think the money to manage the resource is going to come from?

Mark Mason
Newport News, Va.

 
 
I surf fish down here in Louisiana and catch my share of bull reds every year, but have watched this case closely because I always wanted to make it to Cape Hatteras after hearing about it in 1971 while in D.C. Twenty years of military service plus 17 of other work after that delayed that possibility. Well, I guess Judge Boyle has ended that dream! That man is either in someone's pocket or is just one sick puppy! My feelings go out to all on Ocracoke.

Walt Thompson
Pineville, La.

 
The safest place for mothers with small children to bathe is in the shallow tidal pools that develop near low tide just east of Hatteras Inlet. Under this consent decree that place is closed. Thank you, Judge, for taking care of the birds and to heck with the safety of our precious children!

Bob Davis
Buxton

 
My family has vacationed in Hatteras every year for the last 26. We love wildlife and the ocean. Our children and the friends we have included over the last 26 years still go with us and now bring their families. We have never caused destruction to the beach or to any of the bird, turtles, etc. Our goal is to enjoy everything Hatteras has to offer. For this group to assume that by our driving on the beach we are hurting any of the natural creatures there is foolish. If these folks have that much extra time, maybe they should be protecting our borders instead of our beaches.

Roxianne Parrish
King William, Va.


We have used the Outer Banks as our main getaway for the last 35 years, with the most wonderful time spent on the beach fishing with our four-wheel vehicles. I have never seen a bird killed by a vehicle. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the scraps of bait and seaweed that we left for the birds. I think these people forget that we are a part of nature too, and we have seen that the interaction that occurs with the other animals etc. is as natural as nature itself. This area is precious to everyone who has used it for all the years, so regulate the crazies with a little more policing, but don't ruin this area for everyone, and that is what's being done. I can only send my sympathies to the people who live on the Outer Banks and make their living there. All of us are losing with this kind of settlement.

Daniel Hall
Yorktown, Va.

 
This settlement truly breaks my heart and all of my family's as well. Going down to The beach is key to keeping my sanity throughout the "work year." What do these Big 3 think will happen to North Carolina’s economy? Don’t they realize what happens in one part of the state eventually affects the whole? How many visitors stop in other parts of the state to get to the beach? I believe the decision was very one-sided and is certain to cause long term hurt and loss to one of the most beautiful and laid-back places on Earth.

Jill Marshall
Ashland, Va.
 

I did a little research of my own and found all of the species (gull billed tern, black skimmer, common tern, least tern, and American oystercatcher) that special interest groups claim are decreasing have been going up and down for the last 40 years. The biggest impact that was placed on the birds was in the early 1900s because of people collecting eggs. How can they file a lawsuit using invalid data? I found most of my data on the USGS Web site. Does the word "perjury" mean anything to them?

Forrest Pace
Clayton, N.C.

 
A thread to Chris Canfield, Audubon Society representative in Richmond, Va. Feel free to forward or post.

Chris, to repeat what I said in my message to you.  There are thousands and thousands of acres for birds to nest on the Atlantic coast. Plovers are not natural to the Hatteras area, but your lawsuit complained about this poor little bird. A few miles north of Hatteras point is Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. It has thousands of acres of shore dedicated to turtles and plovers. South of Hatteras all the way to South Carolina border are miles and miles of open and uninhabited coastal buffer zones. North of Hatteras are thousands of acres of land set aside for birds. North of that is my local Sandbridge area with thousands of acres for the same thing. Virginia's Eastern Shore has thousands of acres for the same thing. Maryland's Eastern Shore has thousand of acres for the same thing. It has to end, Chris. There are ample lands already available all along the Atlantic coast. We all love turtles. They hatch and return to those thousands of open acres every year. There are ample miles of shoreline for turtles and birds. They return to the same protected shoreline every year. All along the coast measures are in place to protect and help them. You do not have a valid point in your suit. Shame on you for what the Audubon has done. Let us humans enjoy something for ourselves and get a real life. We don't want thousands of acres, just a small piece to enjoy for humans.

Please do not send me another cheap canned reply. I took the time to type actual words with my fingers. I expect the same respect from you, Chris, and your society.

Gregory Lepage
Virginia Beach



I have had the pleasure of fishing at Cape Point and visiting Hatteras Island with my wife for the last five years. Our black Lab loves to go for beach walks with my wife and me. We have close friends whom we meet every spring and fall on the Banks, and we enjoy our surf fishing and cookouts together. Back in Ohio, I'm a state wildlife officer by profession, so I realize the need to protect our natural resources. But, that is not accomplished by closing the public out. The National Park Service needs to form partnerships with its user groups and fight together against environmental groups. We're all interested in the welfare of the beaches and wildlife, but not to the exclusion of the public.

Bob Wolfrum
Pettisville, Ohio



I have been coming to Hatteras at least once a year for the past 20 years. I've met some of the greatest people I've ever known there. This situation with the beach closings disturbs me greatly, along with everyone else I know in Tennessee. Please let me know the best way I can help my home away from home. I'm doing all I know to do now. I love you people on the island, though I may not know your name. We have always respected the beach and always take a trash bag to pick up after those who don't. We have had similar things happen here in Tennessee. Freedom in this country is disappearing daily. Keep the faith and be assured that you are not alone in this assault on your rights. Last I heard this is still America, land of the free, home of the brave. I love the islands. Ask up in Salvo, Waves, or Rodanthe if they know Rockytop You may be surprised!

Jerry Loposser
Seymour, Tenn.



Thanks for this information. It's a great public service. As disturbing as it is, this is much more than just a local problem and threat for the OBX community. The general user public and all citizens and foreign visitors who desire access to the shoreline and its unique environment will also be deprived of a basic access right guaranteed many years ago by the U.S. Congress. The general public has no knowledge of this potential beach usage loss, let alone the actual scientific and economic facts surrounding it. Many thanks to your community leaders and elected officials who are working hard to keep the beach open for all of us.
 
Mike Berry
Chapel Hill, N.C.


 
Well, what do you know? We got sucker punched by those who we thought were in it to find solutions. All you have to do is look at the list of Washington lawyers supporting the Defenders and Audubon to see that the only reason they entered into the negotiated rulemaking was to get an inside track to help derail the process and close the beaches forever. It's saddening that these groups would rather sneak in, deceive, and then intimidate with lawsuits to obtain their goals of totally destroying one type of recreation instead of working to satisfy all concerns. I was at the Richmond meeting in January, and even though I wasn't happy with some of the news, I figured a little give and take was inevitable. I guess the gloves are off now, and we all need to get involved if we want to continue to fish the Outer Banks. By the way, I was getting ready to reserve our house for our October trip when I saw this post and read some of the articles. Needless to say, I held off on making my reservation and am now worried about our planned trip in April. I know the $2-$3,000 we spend each week (three weeks each year) isn't much, but the lawsuit says we only contribute .5-.8 percent, so no one will probably miss us anyway. Sorry Frank and Fran, Hatteras Realty, Food Lion, Red Drum, Fishing Hole, Pickled Steamer, Tradewinds Tackle, Howard’s, etc.

Paul Miller
Richmond, Va.


 
The community meeting held Thursday night, March 27, at the Fesseden Center in Buxton was a sobering and realistic presentation of events that have unfolded (and most likely will unfold).Our community is facing the very real predicament of losing access to some of the most vital and enjoyed areas of beach that we have -- not only ORV access -- but TOTAL access to all people. The consequences of this will be catastrophic to our community. Our only viable recourse is to plead our case with our elected representatives (Senators and U.S. Representatives) and ask that they intervene with legislation. All those who believe in freedom and the democratic process and who do not want their rights to access of our beaches taken away, please write to our members of congress immediately!

T. Bentley Crabtree, Jr.
Avon


 
My family and I have been vacationing on Hatteras Island for the past 10 years. The reason we come back is because of the peace, quiet, and solitude. We drove on the beach once at the Point. We respect the dunes and wildlife, but in the past years, more and more visitors aren't. I love the freedom, but the wildlife comes first. Not only do you need to limit the number of vehicles on the beach, but you need to stop building so much. Before you know it, Hatteras will become another Mrtyle Beach. There won't be any islanders left. All the land will be owned commercially, and it won't matter who can or can't drive on the beach anymore. Protect what you have before it's gone!

Patty Thibodeau
Bristol, Conn.



To the good people of Hatteras and Ocracoke and to whom it may concern:
 
My wife and I have just returned from spending 10 days on your beautiful ribbon of sand. I have spent my life fishing pretty well everywhere in North America and have always wanted to fish the “fishiest” place on the continent – that being Hatteras. Last winter we watched all of the Web sites, and every Canadian winter night we dreamed of traveling the beaches in our truck in search of the best surf fishing the East Coast has to offer. We found it from Avon to Ocracoke.
 
Everywhere we stopped people were worried about closures of the beaches and loss of income and business. We are just a newly retired couple from Southern Ontario, Canada, living the dream. We spent close to $3,000 in 10 days from Avon to Ocracoke. We stayed in Buxton but traveled north and south everyday to different ramps to drive and fish on the beaches. During our 10 days we tried to eat in a different restaurant every night. The food was superb, as was the staff in every place we visited. We also stopped in every tackle shop that was open and had no trouble spending money for the new type of tackle and bait we needed. The proprietors kept no secrets from us telling us how, why, where to fish; this is unusual from other fisherman, our experience is that they are usually closed mouthed and secretive. This was not the case, the shop owners were great.