Federal Legislation Would Increase Cape Hatteras Angler Access

Federal Legislation Would Increase Cape Hatteras Angler Access


9/3/09

Legislation has been introduced in Congress that will enhance access for anglers to one of the nation’s leading fishing destinations, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.

Senate Bill 1557, introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R- NC) and Kay Hagan (D- NC), and H.R. 718, introduced by Representative Walter B. Jones (R- NC), would reinstate an interim management plan that had been put into place by the National Park Service (NPS) dealing with off-the road vehicles on Cape Hatteras. The plan had been developed to protect wildlife and still allow beaches to be accessible by vehicles.

The original NPS plan was issued in June 2007, but was scuttled in 2008 after a lawsuit filed by the Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society which alleged the interim NPS plan did not do enough to protect shorebirds. In particular, the groups claimed that the vehicle issue was not properly addressed. All agencies with control over federal land are to establish off road vehicle policies. The National Park Service never finalized a plan for Cape Hatteras. While former Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, created a committee in December 2007 to develop a plan, no consensus was reached which ultimately led to the lawsuit.

The NPS compromised to avoid the lawsuit, entering into an agreement that placed much greater restrictions on the use of vehicles than was the case under the interim plan.
Since the agreement went into effect, tourism has declined. Numerous businesses have closed with much speculation that the restrictions led to their demise. Existing local business owners feel that much of the negative impact is due to “weekend anglers” that used to travel to Cape Hatteras, but no longer do so as a result of the difficulties they encounter getting to the fishing locations.
“While a long term plan dealing with off road vehicles at Cape Hatteras is necessary, at least this legislation will alleviate the immediate problem for anglers seeking prime fishing spots and stop the downward spiral of businesses in the area,” said Doug Jeanneret, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president of marketing. “The compromise by the Park Service has basically ended the angling opportunities at what many regard as the best fishing area in the U.S. These bills are at least a start to correcting this ridiculous situation.”

http://ussportsmen.org/Page.aspx?pid=2098