Beach Access and Park Issues

June 15, 2010

Public comment period is open on proposed
public boating access at Hatteras

Public comment period is open on proposed public boating access at Hatteras

The National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), is seeking public scoping comment on the proposed construction of a new public boating access area within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet.

The NPS and NCWRC are preparing an Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction of a facility which would include two boat ramps, docks, approximately 40-60 parking spaces, and dredging to provide access into the Hatteras Ferry Channel. The facility would be designed for the launching and recovery of trailerable boats drawing up to 5 feet of water, and use of the facility would be free to the public.

The design of the proposed facility would be shaped by existing environmental constraints in the project vicinity.

The public scoping period opens today, June 15, and closes on July 15. During the public scoping period, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed action.

A 30-day public scoping period is part of the process to prepare an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Written comments may be submitted by mail and by submission through the NPS’ Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha. Click on the “Public Boating Access Area at Hatteras” link to view the scoping documents.

Comments can also be mailed to: Superintendent, Outer Banks Group, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954. To ensure that your comments are included in the process, they must be entered or postmarked by July 15.

For more information, please contact Meghan Carfioli, NPS Natural Resource Manager, at (252) 473-2111, ext. 135, or Sara Sherman, NCWRC Project Engineer, at (919) 707-0164.