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Battle Mounts Over Off-Road Vehicles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Mar 13th - 15:12pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 13th - 14:56pm | HatterasLady

What is really not emphasized enough in any ofthtese posts is the extreme detrimenatl effect to those humans living on the island. And last time I checked our Heavenly Father placed humans on this earth to be the top of the pyramid, so to speak. It isn't just a few tackle shops that might go out of business.

Mar 13th - 12:36pm | Anonymous

Snowbird said: "Your crocodile tears don't slay me for I have seen enough damage in my own backyard from ORV's...and that angers me with tears." Well, the choice sounds clear to me - focus your efforts on your own backyard and stay out of ours. Ours has been doing quite well long before you or I were impacting anything.

Mar 13th - 11:57am | Big EL

Snow bird, You strike me, per your comments, as someone who doesn't get off the couch much. Forgive me if that stings but in order to offer a valid and informed comment on the current situation at Cape Hatteras National Recreational Park you need to have been there at least once.

Mar 13th - 11:23am | steve

God bless this wonderful country that allows such a freedom of speech even for uninformed persons such as "Snowbird". He is allowed his opinion without regards to it's merit. The shame of it all is that this we also have a freedom of litigation which allows lawsuits no matter how ignorant and unformed they may be.

Mar 13th - 11:03am | Anonymous

Get real, Ride a bike? on sand? and with all the tackle you would have to carry, oh but you would say we don't need the tackle cause we would be out to hurt the poor little fishes. You should really learn to think your way through life instead of FEELING everything.

Mar 13th - 09:54am | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 13th - 08:50am | Former environm...

As a 55 year old ecology concerned person, I have been turned from that frame of mind by the actions of who I considered my friends. I “had” always been concerned for the environment and been wary of my affects on the wildlife and natural aspects of my surroundings.

Mar 13th - 06:47am | Hannibal

First off, I must ask why such involvement from some people when they fully admit they've never even been to the beaches at the frontline of this debate? To me, making statements/claims and observations about the ongoings of the CHNSRA seems to be a stretch given that you've never witnessed the acts you've accused people of.

Mar 13th - 01:49am | Reel beach user

It's always painful to read comments like some of those above that advocate the loss of access to ORV users at Cape hatteras national Seashore Recreation Area. And yes, that is it's proper name. The Dept. of Interior dropped the "recreation area" part, not Congress.

Mar 12th - 22:26pm | Anonymous

The damage from a nor'easter will do far more damage to the beach than the orvs can do in five years tell me how many of these happen every year?

Mar 12th - 21:52pm | Anonymous

Just a couple of points 1. Foxes are not native to Hatteras Island. They migrated over the Oregon Inlet Bridge. 2. No matter what you call this unit of the NPS, it is still subject to the same management policies as any other NPS unit. Calling it a recreation area is not going to suddenly make the endangered species act, migratory bird act, or any other legislation go away.

Mar 12th - 21:41pm | Bird Dog

Snowbird and all who oppose ORV access at CHNSRA: 1. It's damn near impossible to fish there without an ORV, particularly at the best spots. 2. Access was promised to the locals and tourists when the land was given- that means fishermen, surfers, bird watchers, EVERYBODY.

Mar 12th - 21:13pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06 Thanks Big Red for your in put! You sound like a reasonable and decent man. I bet your one damn good sportsman too.

Mar 12th - 21:03pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 12th - 20:53pm | bigred

RangerChris, In a sense you are correct there is a place and a time for everything.

Mar 12th - 20:40pm | wonderly00

Justwannafish: A good story, yes, that doesn't get told enough. I've seen lots of ORVers pick up lots of trash. Unfortunately you forgot the other story that doesn't get told as much: the cargo ship that held all those bags of Doritos, and all the people who got to help clean that one! Too bad I missed it! :)

Mar 12th - 20:22pm | longcaster

Snowbird, if you look closely to the picture with the ORVs tight up against the water, have you asked yourself why? If you look you will see just behind the ORVs a row of carsonite stakes(symbolic fence) look carefully and you will see no ORV tracks in there. That fenced off area is the area reserved for the nesting shore birds. We give the birds way more beach than they want to use.

Mar 12th - 19:33pm | 525mag

I want to know if you live in today's United States without using any fossil fuels? Do you grow all our own food, generate your own electricity, and produce all the goods you need for survival? Didn't think so...

Mar 12th - 19:23pm | Justwannafish

The story that never gets told follows:

Mar 12th - 18:22pm | wonderly00

We do need a healthy balance here. The National Park Service, (i.e., management at Cape Hatteras NS) is responsible for an ORV plan, and as Judge Boyle this summer pointed out, nationwide ORV plan requirements have been on the books since Nixon was president, so the NPS and National Seashore don't really have an excuse for not having a plan in effect 30 years ago.

Mar 12th - 18:10pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 12th - 17:14pm | bigred

Snowbird, It's time you opened your eyes to the real world! When the D.O.W and the National Audubon Society became involved a few years back and through the intervention of the S.E.L.C it began to put pressure on the CHNPS. The world there changed as they filed and threatened lawsuits and demanded certain actions be taken.

Mar 12th - 15:23pm | jimmy

big oil and gas dripping ORVs?? i dont know about you but if my truck was leaking oil id fix it before id take it to the beach but thats just me. look fellas we all need to be fair here. on one hand we've got the ignorant and selfish people who don't give a flyin sh** about the environment and will leave the beach a dump.

Mar 12th - 13:24pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 12th - 11:57am | csriii

Let's be fair here. If we are going to block off Hatteras to all but walk-ins, let's also do that for ALL National Parks. Auto pollution, asphalt, truck fumes, dripping oil, tourists, litter, etc., etc. are just as noxious in Yellowstone as Hatteras.

Mar 12th - 09:38am | mike metzgar

Quote from Beach to Desert: "There are many animals that call that area home and may never return if they are scared off by people or vehicles. The land there is constantly changing-staying on the ORV paths is difficult and I'm sure there are the ones who don't care what the signs say, they do as they please".

Mar 11th - 16:40pm | wonderly00

Just because the ORV supporters call it "Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area" does not make it so. 1937: Cape Hatteras National Seashore 1940: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area 1953: Cape Hatteras National Seashore. At present, and since its establishment, it is a national seashore, not a national recreation area.

Mar 11th - 15:02pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06 Sunshine: your quote, "Leave Cape Hatteras alone and allow us to share Cape Point with generations to come". Sunshine, you forgot to mention one thing: the preservation of wildllife for all generations to come...not just for the fun frolicking beach hogs alone. A bit of selfish stand on your behalf!

Mar 11th - 10:42am | Sunshine

Hey, Snowbird, my husband and I regularly visit Cape Hatteras, particularly Cape Point. Our vehicle, identified by you as an oil dripping gas guzzling ORV, has nevered dropped 1 ounce of oil on the beach. The appeal of Cape Point is being able to drive out, set up for the day and enjoying the beauty of the beach without having tourisits lying next to you such as at Myrtle Beach.

Mar 10th - 22:44pm | Beach to Desert

I have been to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke. They are beautiful places. And yes, the use of ORV should be stopped. There are many animals that call that area home and may never return if they are scared off by people or vehicles.

Mar 10th - 20:34pm | Anonymous

First let me say that I used to live in the Outer Banks and I visit Ocracoke every year, several times a year and have for over 10 years. I am a beach person to the core. I am also very protective of the environment, esecially the beach and the ocean, and I protect, defend and will stand up for animals. BUT there has to be a place for people to go as well. Period.

Mar 10th - 15:53pm | Snowbird

Snowbird06

Mar 10th - 15:20pm | mike metzgar

Obviously you have never been to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area or you would not have made such a ridiculous comment. The comment was tantamount to telling someone to climb the Tetons in winter without wearing a coat........

Moonrise Over Crater Lake

Mar 13th - 13:24pm | repanshek

Glenn, I think you nailed it: Folks are passionate about the parks, and for so many varied reasons. When we stop being passionate about them, I think that's when we fail them.

Mar 13th - 13:08pm | Glenn Scofield ...

What a beautiful image of a beautiful park! I love these photos. It's nice with all the legitimate passionate disagreements this site offers on important concerns to our parks, the site also takes the time to remind us of what we passionately fight for: beautiful, sacred, culturally-significant lands. Thanks, NPT!

Researchers Say Meteorite Impact Created Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park

Mar 13th - 10:25am | Joesf

Boy, talk about finding a needle in a hay (salt) stack. Geologists have been hunting for coesite and stishovite evidence at Upheaval Dome for years to no avail. Finding shock quartz in Jurassic sandstones fills an important part of Upheaval Domes puzzle. The paper will make an interesting read. Great News!

House Parks Committee To Hold Hearing On ORVs on Federal Lands

Mar 13th - 09:14am | Snowbird

I definitely agree with Jack Gregory's (retired law-enforcement ranger for USFS) statement:" irresponsible off-roading has become such a menace that it is now the single greatest threat to the American environment".

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Transportation Plan EA

Mar 12th - 15:50pm | Stacey

If the transportation option available is taking shuttles - people will take the shuttles. Zion National Park does it perfectly - a little sign is posted that says "Parking lots full. Please take shuttle." And people take the shuttle.

Sen. Obama Non-committal on Carrying Loaded Weapons in National Parks

Mar 12th - 10:44am | NPS/Amtrak Explorer

Obama’s response seems to be a nice political answer! Not really answering the question, just putting it off to “examine later”. I hope this issue is resolved before the next administration takes office (whoever that is)

Mar 12th - 10:23am | coolstud

I sure hope people will take care of our land and keep it as beautiful as God intended it to be.. I never leave home without my weapon,either in the woods or in my travels,been a cwp for many,many years now. The old saying,"pry it from my cold dead hand".

Mar 11th - 11:39am | CF

I see that the Senator also included that there was his need to examine other issues involved. This small facet of his thoughts shows to me he is aware that a snap answer isnt appropriate. Sounds like he is aware that there is probality of accidents ( be adults or children running around). There are laws and there is the spirit of the law.

Would a Change in Gun Laws Be a Threat to National Park Bears?

Mar 11th - 23:03pm | Dave O

News flash today: Mountain lion attacks boy celebrating birthday. Father shoots lion to save son. On Animal Planet: A bird watcher surprises a female grizzly and her cubs and is mauled; a female mountain biker is attacked by a 130 pound mountain lion.

Bear-Proof Food Canisters Mandatory for Most Backcountry Travel in Grand Teton National Park

Mar 11th - 17:55pm | Steve Sergeant

I typically fit 8 days of food, at about 3,000 calories per day, into mine. It all depends on what you choose to take.

Mar 11th - 13:55pm | cheflovesbeer

The problem with bear canisters is they do not hold much food. I could not fit five days of food in one. I would have to carry two or three on a ten day trip.

Mar 11th - 11:49am | Steve Sergeant

In the Sierra Nevada, they started out loaning them for free. Now you either have to rent them, or bring your own.

Mar 10th - 21:28pm | Fred Miller

This sounds like a good requirement. I'm glad to see that the canisters will be available for loan at no charge. I wonder if we'll eventually have to collect a deposit to make sure the canisters are returned. Will there be a workable plan to enforce this requirement? It wouldn't take too many rule-breakers to negate the benefits we can see from the institution of this regulation.

Mar 10th - 18:59pm | Steve Sergeant

Bear-resistant food canisters are also required in most of Sequoia/Kings-Canyon National Park as well. In addition, large areas of wilderness on Forest Service land in the Sierra Nevada also require you to use such canisters.

Violent Deaths in the National Parks

Mar 11th - 11:59am | CF

Say, if traveling and choosing to camp amidst deep in the border parks with full knowledge of its danger...so be it..no one said you cant have that gun in your car. If you're back packing there you're probably nutts and you'll probably take a gun any way. So be it.

National Mall: Cherry Blossom Festival Not Far Off

Mar 10th - 11:41am | Marylander

I love the cherry blossom festival!! If you have never been to see the National Mall with the cherry blossoms in their peak, then you absolutely must go! Words can't describe how truly awesome it is. My husband and I go every year, it is that amazing.

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