Bulging far offshore of the mainland coast as a barrier island, Cape Hatteras was the first National Seashore. Providing some of the best board surfing along the East Coast, as well as the most famous lighthouse in the United States, Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic fishing villages. Nature lovers adore the excellent beachcombing and superb fishing. - From Dr. Beach's 2011 America's Best Beaches - for more see - http://www.drbeach.org/Detailed%20List.htm
Cape Hatteras certainly belongs on Dr. Beach's list. I hope that by its mention on his list, more American citizens travel to visit their Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. (Recreation is an important part of the name Dr. Beach, try not to leave it out in 2012.) The people living in the villages along North Carolina's Outer Banks certainly need your tourist dollars to help support their weakened economic situation. Since the creation of CHNSRA, tourism dollars have progressively played an increasing role in the area's economy. Today the area's economy is primarily centered on tourism. Summer tourist typically come to enjoy the usual summer beach activities. Surf, sand and waterplay sufficient enough for the summer tourist can be accessed easily enough near the public parking areas and near the hotels. The CHNSRA beaches are great for this, plus there are many other opportunities appealing to summer tourists as well. The world famous lighthouse, superb seafood, ferry rides, sailboarding, minigolf, nature treks, etc. The Summer tourist is most certainly welcomed, however the major contributor to Outer Banks tourism dollars are the thousands of recreational fisherman who visit the CHNSRA every year, not just in the summer, but also in the spring, fall and parts of the winter as well. (Some of the best striped bass fishing from the surf occurs in the winter, in case you didn't know.) Long considered a mecca for surf fisherman, the Outer Banks offer unparalleled surf fishing experiences. Along the Atlantic Coast, doubtfully there is another section of beach more productive than the beaches of CHNSRA for the variety and quantity of fish sought by recreational surf fishermen. The fame of Cape Point for holding huge red drum is legendary. The chance of catching the fish of a lifetime draws surf fishermen here from all over the world. Unfortunately for surf fishing enthusiasts, current rules concerning beach access may well prevent them from fishing the world famous Cape Point.
The prime fishing areas on the Outer Banks are not easily accessible. As is most often true the world over, the best fishing occurs in remote places. Typically a four wheeled drive off road vehicle is needed to reach Cape Point, the Hook, Hatteras Inlet or Ocracoke's Beaches. These hallowed pieces of CHNSRA beaches are located miles from the nearest public access point. As mentioned in a previous blog, off road access along CHNSRA beaches is severely limited by the National Park Service's enforcement of a 2008 consent decree issued by a federal judge. The situation does not appear to be getting any better. The National Park Service and the Department of Interior seem oblivious to the wants and needs of the people of Hatteras Island. Their priorities seem more focused on the birds and special interest environmentalist groups. I recently read the blog written by the editor of The Island Free Press. The subject dealt with Off Road Vehicle Access. By reading this and other posts you come to understand that the people of Hatteras Island are being unfairly economically hindered by the lawsuits of special interest groups, a federal judge that legislates from the bench and the National Park Service enacting and enforcing an over-restrictive policy. To paraphrase one frustrated person who wrote on the Island Free Press - Editors Blog - NPS no longer means National Park Service, but National Plover Service. The area was not set aside for birds.
Current access to the Beach at CHNSRA is governed by the requirements of the 2008 Consent Agreement. NPS has increased the frequency and degree of monitoring select shorebird and sea turtle activity. Larger beach closures have been put in place in the guise of protecting the species under protection. (1000 meter buffers around Plover nests!) Off road vehicle and pedestrian access to beach areas has been denied at unprecedented levels. Some official beach closures have cut off accessibility to otherwise officially open beaches. Fishermen wishing to fish the surf at Cape Point must wade through the water to go around closures. (NPS authority ends at the low tide water mark.) It is also understood by the fishermen, that once they reach Cape Point, they are not to set foot on dry land or risk violating enclosures and be subject to fines and/or arrest. Given the perilous nature of the riptides, holes and currents this can be dangerous activity at best. People collecting seashells at Cape Point must not set foot on dry land either. ( http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/consentdecree.htm ) Miles and miles of once open beaches are officially closed to vehicles and to beach walkers. Citizens of the island are understandably upset, as they see the 2008 Consent Decree as a threat to tourism. Open access to the beaches is seen as one of the major draw of visitors. It has not been forgotten by the citizens of the island, that it was promised by the federal government that access to the beach was not to be denied.
The 2008 Consent Decree is only meant to be temporary. The National Park Service is tasked with establishing a plan governing the use of off road vehicles in the park. The proposed rule moving through bureaucratic channels promises to be more restrictive than the consent decree. The local populace tried to negotiate in good faith on the issue of beach access, only to be ignored. How can the bureaucrat rule makers establish rules totally ignoring the needs and desires of the people of Hatteras Island? When will our government establish rules that are right for citizens most affected versus rules that appease special interest groups?
(for the full flavor of this discussion go to - http://islandfreepress.org/PivotBlog/pivot/entry.php?id=145 )
My understanding is this, the area was set aside by Congress for this nation's beachgoers and recreational fishermen .
§ 459. Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area; conditional establishment; acquisition of lands
When title to all the lands, except those within the limits of established villages, within boundaries to be designated by the Secretary of the Interior within the area of approximately one hundred square miles on the islands of Chicamacomico, Ocracoke, Bodie, Roanoke, and Collington, and the waters and the lands beneath the waters adjacent thereto shall have been vested in the United States, said area shall be, and is, established, dedicated, and set apart as a national seashore recreational area for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and shall be known as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area: Provided, That the United States shall not purchase by appropriation of public moneys any lands within the aforesaid area, but such lands shall be secured by the United States only by public or private donation.
I am not a lawyer or even schooled in the subject of law, however I do feel my comprehension of the written word is fairly strong and I am not too far off the mark. The people of North Carolina donated lands to the federal government with the understanding that this land would be used as a recreation area. In my opinion, The federal government and the bureaucrats that administer the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area have forgotten (or is it completely ignored?) the purpose of the legislation establishing the CHNSRA and feel they can make rules without regard of the will of the people who gave over the land for the express purpose of establishing a seashore area specifically set aside for recreational use. Why is this allowed to happen? You do not have to be a recreational fisherman to have an interest in this debate. Fellow Americans, review the situation for yourself, form an opinion and write your congressman. Voice your views on the debate concerning your National Seashore Recreation Area. North Carolinians, this should be of special interest to you. No matter where in this great State you live, you should be upset and angered by the federal government's unfair treatment of your fellow North Carolinians living alongside the CHNSRA.
If you are a summer tourist visiting (first time or returning) the CHNSRA this year, show your support for the local citizens with your dollars. While visiting the Outer Banks, pick yourself up an inexpensive rod and reel combo and try your hand at surf fishing. You never know, you might enjoy this more than sun bathing, seashelling or sightseeing. You might even feel compelled to return to Hatteras Island in the fall as a recreational fisherman. Visit the local tackle shops, talk fishing with the employees, use their advice to catch a few fish. You might be lucky enough to catch your fish of a lifetime.
Fresh Bait and Tight Lines,
R. M. Callaway
Want to learn more, view this excellent video titled "Piping Mad" by the Greystone Project on the subject embroiling the Outer Banks. Note, this video was produced in 2010.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=593797982139
Some Local Tackle Shops On Hatteras Island
Red Drum Tackle
http://www.reddrumtackle.com/
Dillon's Corner
http://www.dillonscorner.com/
Frank and Fran's
http://www.hatteras-island.com/
Teach's Lair
http://www.teachslair.com/
Frisco Rod and Gun
http://www.friscorodgun.com/
1 comment:
If a reader knows the answer to the following question, I would like a reply. Does the state of North Carolina have prior appropriation rights over the resources of Cape Hatteras versus the Federal Authority's rights over the Seashore? In other words, can NC say to the Federal Government, we were here first, the people of NC want our land back, now go home.
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