Beach Closure Update

So much moving on to less regional issues...

The struggle continues over beach access. The Audubon Society drafted a letter with over 80 signatures, addressed to the National Park Service.

http://islandfreepress.org/2010Archives/02.05.2010-AudubonLetterToN0PS.pdf

(link provided from Island Free Press)

The Outer Banks Sentinel exposes a "scandal" over one of the signatures, and characterizes the letter as a request to close all Park Service beaches.

http://www.womacknewspapers.com/obsentinel/

(link to O.B. Sentinel)

In addition to calling one of the signatures into question, the article characterizes the Audubon's position as a demand for complete closure of the beaches. That was not what I gleaned from the letter, but I can see the cause for concern.

Interestingly, the Park service actually owns all of the beaches from Pea Island south through Ocracoke Island. Even areas where ocean-front houses are located, have property pins that delineate the beginning of park service land. So, at the peak of the market, individuals purchased ocean-front homes, that in fact are Park Service front.

The ocean-front homes are sources of intense foot traffic, lighting, and noise. They are also the backbone of the tourist industry. I'm sure the Audubon Society would love to close those beaches. However, it seems if those property owners were notified, in any sort of organized way, they may be the only group capable of raising more money for legal fees than the conservationist.

Let me be clear. I do not think that all ocean-front home owners are rich. I've helped to build some of those houses, and I know that the lion's share of those individuals are hard workers, investing money they can't afford to waste. Therefore, they really can't afford not to resist closure of the beaches in front of their vacation homes. That said, they aren't looking to waste money defending people's right to drive on the beaches out of the town limits.

Beach driving needs to be responsibly managed. Science needs to determine what exactly responsible management looks like. Hatteras Island's economy needs to be preserved, and/or efforts need to be made to mitigate negative effects of Park Service's land management.

It seems to me, that the Audubon society needs to accept that preservation of endangered species does not mean complete closure of recreational areas. At the same time, Hatteras locals, and everyone on the Northern Outer Banks, for that matter, need to focus on the true struggle at hand. The Audubon society is simply the latest adversary. The real issue here is that we need to work to develop a sustainable economy here that takes advantage of without exploiting the unique environment we are fortunate enough to inhabit.

Beach driving is the issue at hand, because that seems to be the one at stake right now. Beach nourishment, affordable housing, water quality, storm water management, fisheries depletion, and a host of other issues are waiting in the wings.