For more information on beach access, see: www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm or call 252-473-2111 ext. 148.

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: March 23, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111 ext. 148

NPS Announces Shorebird Breeding Area Closures

Superintendent Mike Murray announced two shorebird breeding area closures that are being implemented in accordance with the consent decree that was approved by the U.S. District Court on April 30, 2008.

Bodie Island Spit – A full beach closure has been established 1.3 miles south of Ramp 4 along the ocean shoreline, as a result of observed piping plover breeding behavior. ORV and pedestrian access is precluded past the closure. The shoreline south/west of the closure, outside of the pre-nesting area, remains open for boat landing/pedestrian access.

South Beach - A full beach closure has been established 0.2 miles west of Ramp 45 along the ocean shoreline and continues for approximately 0.5 of a mile to the west, as a result of observed American oystercatcher breeding behavior. The closure precludes through access between Ramp 45 and Ramp 49. Access remains open from Ramp 45 for 0.2 miles east and 0.2 miles west (i.e., a cul-de-sac). Access is also open from Ramp 49 for 2.7 miles east to where the closure is located.

Under the terms of the consent decree, as shorebird breeding activity is observed NPS is required to install mandatory buffers around breeding sites. As the breeding season progresses from mid-March to mid-to-late August, park visitors can expect to see temporary resource closures in effect at various locations. Closures generally will be removed when breeding activity has been completed at a particular site. For up-to-date information on what areas are currently open or closed, check the Seashore’s Google Earth map at: www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm or call 252-473-2111 ext. 148.

Park visitors are reminded that entering a resource closure or damaging resource closure signs or fencing are federal criminal violations, each subject up to a $5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment. Pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet.

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: March 20, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111 ext. 148

As ordered by the Consent Decree which is now the law governing the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area Superintendent Murray has announced the Pre nesting Beach Closures for this summer. When you look at it you will notice it about the same as last summer.

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CAHA) 2009 pre-nesting closure summary description and maps have been released and are available to the public on the PEPC website under the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy project at:

Park natural resource staff conducted the annual assessment of piping plover (PIPL) breeding habitat and identified pre-nesting areas based on current habitat conditions and consideration of PIPL breeding activity in recent years. The pre-nesting areas will be established by March 15, 2009 in accordance with the consent decree. Temporary resource protection areas are established to protect threatened and endangered species, including piping plovers and sea turtles, and for species of concern, including American oystercatchers and colonial waterbirds (terns and black skimmers). Visitors are reminded that pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet on all National Seashore beaches.

My comments about Re-scheduling Negotiated Rulemaking Meeting.

When I read the National Park Services announcement that the January 21-22, 1909 meeting of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Negotiated Rule Making Advisory Committee was being cancelled I found it very interesting.

According to Superintendent Mike Murray, who moved the meetings off the Island for their so called protection from harassment by Islanders, the reason for the cancellation is to "give several subcommittees additional work time to continue preparation of proposals on several key unresolved issues."

From what I have learned from Superintendent Murray’s comments here and there, I would re-phrase that his reason would be to give more time to twist some arms to come up with a unanimous suggestion that a fee be instituted for beach access. Who knows. They might even outdo themselves and suggest a limited number of vehicles be allowed on the beach at one time. Of course, that would only be those that pay to be there. Or could it be he needs more time to get all the members of the committee, and the Islanders to accept his concept that we are no longer to assume the beaches are open but to assume they are closed.

Don’t you love the way government officials get what they want by hiding behind committees? The policy seems to be to form a committee, that supposedly represents all the people, and then say I am instituting this new policy as a result of the recommendations of the committee.

What I do not understand is why the National Park Services is wasting tax payers money for funding an ad hoc committee that is not divested with any authority except to make recommendations. In the final analysis the National Park leaders will decide the beach management plan for the Cape Hatteras Recreational Area regardless of what the committee recommends or what the people think. The money they are wasting could better be spent helping the businesses they have ruined, and the families that have lost their jobs, as a result of efforts to close our beaches.

Superintendent Murray stated, "I commend the committee members for their hard work on these very difficult issues." I too commend the members of the committee who have refused to sell their souls and have stood their ground against the efforts of the National Park, Defenders of Wild Life, and the Audubon Society to take away the rights of all people to have free and open access to the beaches of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

Let us never forget. We were promised by the representatives of our government at the beginning of the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area that our access to the beaches would never be blocked.

Dewey
Please read the actual e-mail below

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: January 13, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111 ext. 148

Negotiated Rulemaking Meeting to be Re-scheduled

Superintendent Mike Murray announces that the January 21-22, 2009 meeting of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee is cancelled. The February 3 meeting will occur as scheduled and a Federal Register Notice has been submitted to schedule a final meeting on Thursday – Friday, February 26 - 27, 2009. The latter meeting will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. at Wright Brothers National Monument in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

Cancellation of the late January meeting will give several subcommittees additional work time to continue preparation of proposals on several key unresolved issues, including the designation of ORV routes and areas, site specific management at inlets and Cape Point, hours of allowable night driving, and management of beaches in front of the villages during the off-season. Details and status of the subcommittee proposals will be reported to and deliberated by the full committee at the February 3 meeting. The late February meeting will provide the Committee with time to integrate the various subcommittee documents into a comprehensive package for final deliberation.

“I commend the Committee members for their continued hard work on these very difficult issues,” said Superintendent Murray. “NPS is committed to completing the negotiated rulemaking process. Though we are operating under firm deadlines for completing the process, I want to ensure that the remaining meetings are scheduled and structured to give the Committee its best chance of success.”

-NPS-

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Comments by Dewey Parr:

Here We Go Again. Innocent people are being punished because of the unfair law called Consent Decree.

Fifty meters of the Ocracoke beach is being closed because someone broke two signs. It doesn't make sense that anyone who wants to keep the beaches open did it. Maybe the Park Service needs to check those in its own ranks to be sure that someone on their staff is not looking the other way or encouraging all these acts of vandalism. Strange that they keep happening and no one is ever caught, yet if a poor little tourist happens to accidentally step inside a bird enclosure they are immediately caught and fined.

The National Park has stated it is happy with Consent Decree so they should provide necessary enforcement to see to it that there are no violations. I would suggest they put their employees on around the clock duty to see to it that we the people are no longer punished for their inability to protect us from the vandals. We the public have a right to demand that Superintendent Mike Murray see to it that our economy is not further destroyed because he is unable to stop those who would violate the law. If he is not able to do it then we need to petition the government to get someone in here that can do the job.

National Park Service News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: March 24, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Vandalism of Ocracoke South Point Resource Protection
Closure Signs Results in Expansion of Buffer

On Monday morning, March 23, National Park Service (NPS) staff discovered vandalism of symbolic fencing marking a shorebird pre-nesting closure at the South Point area on Ocracoke Island. Five “Area Closed” signs on 2” X 2” wooden posts were broken off at the sand line. Vehicle tracks were visible at three of the broken signs but no footprints were observed in the area.

As required by the court ordered consent decree, a deliberate act of vandalism to fencing results in a mandatory 50 meter expansion of the closure area. Due to the narrow width of the beach at this location, ORV access is now allowed along the ocean shoreline to the southeast corner of the point, but precluded past that location by the mandatory buffer expansion. Pedestrian access below the high tide line is permitted past the buffer expansion along portions of the inlet shoreline outside of the established pre-nesting area.

Superintendent Mike Murray reiterated the need for all parties, including the public, to comply with the consent decree requirements. “This deliberate act of vandalism is contemptible and appears to be aimed at reducing access for the many park visitors who do comply with park regulations. This is an early reminder that future acts of intentional vandalism to resource protection areas will result in greater expansion of the buffers as required under the consent decree,” stated Murray.

In 2008 the park experienced six deliberate violations of resource protection areas and each time the buffers were expanded. Destruction of government property and entering a resource closure are federal criminal violations, each subject up to a $5,000. fine and up to six months imprisonment. If anyone has information about this violation, please call National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers at 252-928-5111.

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Now it is kites and kite surfing..... What next?

By

Dewey Parr

Irene Nolan reports in the Island Free Press about the Ban requested on Kite surfing in Cape Cod National Park. If you have not done so, I suggest you check out Irene's on line newspaper. She does a superb job of keeping us informed on what is happening on the Island and elsewhere. www.islandfreepress.org/

Wellfleet a town in Massachusetts is similar to ours in that 70% of the land area is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. This small town is being asked to put a ban on kite surfing because, “plovers view kites, whether small ones flown by hand, or the larger ones that the surfers use as “avian predators.” This quote came from the article entitled: Kite surfers urge Wellfleet not to ban sport By Marilyn Miller.

Guess what? Native Islanders now view plovers and the Defenders of Wild Life and The Audubon Society as “predators." They have destroyed what was once a happy paradise where people, nature, and the park service lived together in harmony. Now we have beaches roped off with park service armed guards ready to ticket, remove, or shoot anything that violates a sacred bird enclosure.

If you would like to see how the park service deals with predators check out these pictures.

This poor little Fox about to be Shot.

Park Service Shooting a Fox at Cape Point

Pictures supplied by Rob Alderman, www.fishmilitia.com of the Park Service shooting a Fox at Cape Point.

For you Kite surfers who have done nothing to help us keep our beaches open it is time you wake up and join in our efforts to protect our rights to enjoy our beaches and your rights to wind surf.. Looks like you are next on the list along with wind mill farms. You can start by writing your Congress Person from the state in which you live and let them know how you feel about what is happening to our Islands.

Oh, by the way did I mention that our present Superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Park came to us from the Cape Cod National Park, where they are seeking a ban on kite surfing.

The Park service has a predator management program that eliminates predators. They consider, cats, dogs, foxes, sea gulls, ghost crabs, raccoons, humans, and who knows what else as an endangerment to the nest and hatching's of protected shore birds.

How many animals have been destroyed by the Park Service to protect the birds?

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Will the Point and Other Favorite Beach Areas Be Open This Year?
This is my answer to all who continue to ask me this question.

Dewey Parr

Friends of The Old Gray House Write

Hi Mary & Dewey, I hope all is well with you both. I was wondering if you can give me an update on the situation that we experienced last year with the point being closed. Is it open and do you think we will have the same trouble as last year when we come in the beginning of May? Thanks so much. Peter & Susan from New Jersey.

My Answer: To Peter and Susan, and All Others Who Ask Me This Question

Peter and Susan, you asked about the situation for this coming year starting in May. From this point on we cannot predict what the situation will be concerning beach closures.

As a result of the lawsuit filed by the Defenders of Wild Life and the National Audubon Society, the traditional way of life and beach access has changed on these Islands. The final settlement of the lawsuit filed by the Defenders of Wild Life and the National Audubon Society resulted in a Consent Decree. This was agreed on by all parties, including our county government and other user groups. Within this legal document there are established automatic closings that must be met. These closures are outlined by maps within the document. In addition to these automatic closures others will occur at random throughout the year depending on where the birds land or the turtles lay their eggs. The beaches of Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke are no longer considered to be open. Superintendent Mike Murray of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area has announced that we can no longer assume that the beaches are open, but are to assume they are closed. What this means is that the beaches are closed and he alone will decide what areas, if any, will be open.

To better understand what you can expect for this summer and the future, you need to obtain a copy of the Consent Decree Document and research it and view the maps that outline what will automatically be closed at the beginning of each summer season.

These closures will remain in place. At the Senate Hearing the National Park representative announced that they are happy with the plan for our Islands as set up by the Defenders of Wild Life and the National Audubon Society. One cannot help but wonder if the Park Service was in cahoots with these organizations from the beginning.

To help answer your question I will outline for you what I have gleamed from reading the Consent Decree.

Consent Decree Date To Remember February, 20

By February 20th of each year the National Park Superintendent is by law obligated to provide public notice for pre-nesting areas that will be closed. What you need to understand from the onset is that these areas are not just closed to driving the beach, but walking, fishing, shell collecting and all other activities. Some people have the misconception that the areas are closed only to driving. The superintendent still reserves the right to close or open other areas as he sees fit. We the public are then granted the right to respond to his intentions. I intend to do so even though I know it is an useless adventure. At least I will be able to vent my frustrations as to how he and the Defenders of Wildlife and the Audubon Society have devastated my business and destroyed my way of life on Hatteras Island.

Consent Decree Final Announcement Date March 15
"Beware of the Ides of March"

The law says that by March 15 of each year, the same day Julius Caesar was stabbed to death, the Superintendent will announce what pre-nesting areas are closed . Keep in mind that this does not preclude the Superintendent from closing additional areas throughout the summer when he decides to do so. Remember, his philosophy is, all beaches are closed and he is granting us the privilege of being able to use some portions under his control that are not already closed by law. As you know Islanders disagree with this philosophy. We believe free and open beach access is not a privilege but a right. The right to free and open beach access was promised at the beginning of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. Little did we know at the time that future Park Service representatives would not honor the government’s commitments to us. It has been hard for me and the members of my Island family to accept the reality. Our government lied to us and literally stole our land under false pretenses.

The Consent Decree also goes into detail about other automatic closing centered around turtles which you need to look at. These turtle closings go on into the fall season after the bird nesting has ended.

Night driving is prohibited from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. from May 1 to November 15. What this means is you will not be able to access those favorite shell collecting areas by vehicles until after 6:00 in the morning. I cannot help but wonder if the park service employees gather all the good shells before the general public is allowed to drive the beach. The reason I question this is that even if you are the first one on the beach at 6:00 am. you will see fresh tire prints and shoe prints going down to the wash as if someone was collecting shells. Could this explain why there are so few nice shells found on the beach anymore?

Peter and Susan I hope this in some way has helped you make your decision to come back to the Islands this summer. I have been as truthful as I can. I, in no way, would want to deceive you into thinking anything will be any different than it was last year. I know your vacation time is a treasured item and you have every right to want to be sure you can go someplace to enjoy it. My suggestion is that you contact Superintendent Mike Murray before coming as to what will be open or closed. At the same time I also suggest you tell him how you feel about his decisions and take time to write all of your Washington representatives (Senators and Congressmen from your state) and let them know your sentiments about the closing of our beaches for public use.

From what I see, we who live here and you who love to come here, have little recourse left but to continue to pray and contact those in our government who are in control of our lives. There is one recourse that no one seems to recognize. We as citizens should have the right to petition the Circuit Court or Judge Boyle to make changes in the Consent Decree. At the time Consent Decree was put in place it is doubtful that the Judge nor those who signed off on it realized what it would do to the economy or how many lives would be devastated as a result. I am not a lawyer but I know of cases in divorce settlements that both parties are often granted the right to return back to the courts and seek relief from harsh settlements. Now that a year has passed and we have seen how Consent Decree has turned villages like Buxton upside down and destroyed our traditional way of life I would think Judge Boyle would take mercy on us and make some changes such as granting us access to Cape Point and the South Beach. There is no reason the birds, turtles and humans could not continue to live together in harmony like we have always done on these Islands without baring us from our beaches.

It was heart breaking for Mary and I to hear over and over from the many guests who have visited with us at the Old Gray House announce that they would never be back because of what the National Park, Defenders of Wild and the Audubon Society have done to our precious Island. In the eighteen years our shop has been open we have come to love and cherish each one that visits us. We have watched the children grow up and have had the pleasure of becoming a part of their life. To many of them we have become their adopted grandparents. Children, now adults, come back each year bringing their new wives or husbands along with their babies for us to meet and greet. I have enjoyed sitting under the Old Oak Tree listening to the hopes and dreams of all who have visited with us. Mary has loved ever minute she has shared with each one that comes into the shop to talk with her. Mary and I have outlived all of our immediate family members except our two children and one grandchild. What I am trying to say is all of you who come to see us every year have become our extended family. We have been blessed getting to know so many wonderful people who send us letters, emails and gifts throughout the year. When the dreaded hurricane season comes we get phone calls and e-mails from you worried about us just as if we were your family.

As for Mary and I, and the Old Gray House, we cannot be sure what the future will bring. From what we can see at this moment there is little room left on Hatteras Island for Mom and Pop operations like ours. Our ages, county rules and regulations, increases in property taxes, insurance, and other businesses expenses as well as the loss of our customer base due to beach closure is beginning to make us question if we can continue much longer. Yes we suffered a loss last year like all the other businesses on Hatteras due to the economy and the heartless efforts of the National Park, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society to close our beaches.

Whatever your final decision is concerning returning to the Island this year we hope you will keep in contact with us. We love you and all of our friends who visit the Old Gray House.

God willing, as far as we know at this moment if you come to the Island this summer I will be sitting in the swing under the Old Oak Tree, snoozing and dreaming of what our Island was like, and Mary will be inside waiting to greet you as always. Come and play checkers with me on our new checker table.

Your Extended Family Dewey and Mary Parr

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Hatteras Families are Beginning
To Feel the Impact of Consent Decree.

I received this e-mail from Johnnie Baum, the Hatteras Island Poet, that shows the problems that are facing our Island families as a result of the recent lawsuit by the Audubon Society and the Defenders of Wildlife which has resulted in closing down of the favorite areas of the beaches. Already businesses have cut back employees and some are contemplating closing. Hatteras and Ocracoke have been hit with a double whammy this year as a result of the down turn in the economy and the action of the environmental groups that seem to have little concern for the welfare of the children and the people who live on these Islands. We thank Johnnie for his constant concern for others as he has shown in his poem. God bless you Johnnie Baum. You are a Human Angel.

Johnnie writes:

I spoke with Mr. Fulcher today about the Hatteras Island Food Pantry. Last year in September they had about 11 needy families to help. This year for September they had 34. This month so far the number is growing quickly. It is going to be a hard winter for a lot of families on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. We can blame a lot of things on our government, etc., but we can only blame ourselves if we let our neighbors do without. Please give to the Food Pantry, and the Methodist Men who are trying to help so many. I know I will.

Johnnie's Poem:

IN THESE TIMES

By Johnnie Baum

Dear Lord the people suffer, with little work and little pay.
Cupboards are bare and homes are lost, each and every day.

I know You are listening, and I know that You're there.
You've sent some human angels, people who truly care.

The millionaires and billionaires, think they're above the rest.
They show what they are made of, when put to the test.

The angels that I've seen, are people just like me.
Thank You Lord because, in them Your love I see.

It's in these times of need, when things are going wrong.
The people come together, where Your Spirit is strong.

The one who gives to food pantries, soup kitchens, or Red Cross.
Are usually the ones, who have known some loss.

These are not rich people, so proud of earthly things.
They are our nation's backbone, the Eagle's tireless wings.

They give their time and effort, expecting no return.
In heaven's open window, a candle for them will burn.

Just as in the olden days, to welcome loved ones home.
A sign to the weary sailor, finally coming home.

Lord I might not be a rich man, down here on this earth.
And it's only when I see you, I'll know my true worth.

Please let me never ignore, in haughtiness and pride.
Any one of Your children, for whom Your one Son died.

Always let me give more, than what I think I owe.
Be called good and faithful, when to heaven I go.

Be a Human Angel - Donate To Hatteras Island Food Pantry

We all need to take Johnnie's advice and be Human Angels and do our best to help the many families in need due to closure of the beaches on the Islands. Contact Walt Fulcher and make a donation to the Hatteras Island Food Pantry.

Mail To:

Make checks payable to United Methodist Men Hatteras Island Food Pantry, PO Box 1591 Buxton, NC 27920.

Donations are tax deductible

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Friends Working To Save Our Beaches

By

Virginia Luizer

I thank Virginia and Jim Luizer, citizens of Buxton, for their comments regarding the canceling of the January 21-22, 1909 meeting of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Negotiated Rule Making Advisory Committee. The Luizers have been regular attendees of the meetings since the beginning. Ginny, a retired professor of computer applications and accounting, started researching laws and gathering data from the park service. Armed with facts, Jim and Ginny have not missed a chance to set the record straight and encourage the park service and USFWS to publish rules that are balanced (i.e. Interim Plan, Critical Habitat, and the ORV plan). Ginny has commented at two negotiated rulemaking committee meetings. Before the park service allowed video taping of the committee meetings, Ginny posted a recap designed to allow the public to get a flavor for the workings of the committee which was later published in the Island Free Press.

www.islandfreepress.org/2008Archives/02.29.2008-Guest%20ColumnOneSpectatorsView.html

Virginia (Ginny), had prepared a comprehensive study she had planned to present orally at the meeting. I am reprinting the last portion of the document which tells of the bias and one sided data she has witnessed being presented to the committee.

Comments by Virginia Luizer that was to be presented at the canceled meeting.

What I have seen is a series of experts paraded in front of this committee. Each of these experts addressed potential impacts on species and habitat using generalizations that typically assume NO resource protection efforts. The issue is, these experts should be addressing the impacts recreation and ORV use in particular are actually having here at CHNSRA. Every time this issue is raised, we have been told the experts were not asked to address CHNSRA specifically and not to press the issue lest we be considered disrespectful. WHY NOT? Mr. Murray you have said many times that past decisions made at this park seem to have been made without asking the "right" questions. WHY AREN’T YOU ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS NOW?

You can’t excuse the failure to ask the "right" questions because of insufficient data. We have directed you to detailed turtle and bird data compiled by the park over the years. We have directed you to on-line sources for relevant weather events, right down to thunderstorms and windstorms. We have directed you to on-line sources for relevant climate statistics for rainfall and temperatures. You can’t even excuse the failure on lack of personnel because we took it upon ourselves to gather the data and summarize it for you (i.e. Larry Hardham’s summaries of the turtle data, various summaries of bird data correlated to relevant weather events, pictorial data showing the use density in front of villages during the off-season, comparisons to other seashores’ resource protection protocols, etc.). We supplied both you and committee members with this data. We did what the DFO should have done in the first place-supply relevant data to the committee. Still the data and summaries have not been forwarded to the experts and have been summarily ignored by the committee as a whole.

In point of fact, I have yet to see anything presented to the committee that that does not support tighter restrictions on ORV use and recreation in general. For example, we have heard over and over that ORVs have a negative impact on the beach habitat. There is at least one study out there that comes to a different conclusion-namely, a park service contracted study conducted by Dr. Perry. According to Dr. Perry any damage caused by ORVs is washed away by the first high-energy storm. This study was never presented to the committee. Why? Could it be because the conclusion doesn’t lend support for tighter restrictions on ORV use?

Worse yet, even when there is an attempt to develop site-specific data, the effort is contrived to support tighter restrictions on ORV use. One example, presented earlier, is the failure to use Pea Island when calculating the amount of resource devoted to various park uses and the overstate the amount of the park’s resources allocated to ORV use that follows from the exclusion of Pea Island. Another example can be found in the proposed vehicle counts. Stated more specifically, given the dramatic change in visitor use patterns that have resulted from the implementation of the consent decree, the only possible conclusion will be to support the assertion that re-designation of the point, inlet spits, south beach, ramp 27, and ramp 34 as non-ORV use areas will have little impact on visitor use. Why? Because the implementation of the consent decree will result in closure of these popular areas thus, there will be no ORVs to count. The logical extension is that the resultant vehicle counts will be used to support the assertion that re-designation of these popular areas will have minimal economic impact. The only way to counter this argument is by using actual data that reflects the economic impact of the closures resulting from the consent decree. Unfortunately, as we are all aware, the 2009 data that will reflect the full impact of the consent decree closures will not be available until after the deadline for the completion of the ORV rule.

Recognizing the facts there is no time remaining to supply the committee with the data required to ask the right questions, and that the committee is unlikely to reach consensus on routes and trails. I call upon the park service to consider committee recommendations in conjunction with appropriate data. Stated more specifically the park service must:

1. Supply the experts with relevant site-specific data. Ask the experts to evaluate the impact ORV use has had under past resource management techniques. Ask the experts to evaluate the potential impact ORV use may have under proposed resource management techniques.
2. Review all studies, including those that do not support tighter restrictions on ORV use and recreation in general.
3. Ensure that efforts to collect new data are not biased toward tighter ORV restrictions or influenced by the dramatic change in public use patterns that have resulted from the implementation of the consent decree.

The above recommendations will ensure that all decisions to re-designate ORV routes because of impacts on the ecological value are based upon evidence that the ecological value is being negatively impacted by current policies. This is the only way to achieve the balance of resource protection while allowing appropriate recreational activities on which the community relies for its survival.

Quite simply, stop molding the data to the solution.

Comments From Our Readers.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Learning to Live Under Consent Decree

Dewey Parr

If you have not done so I implore you to take the time to read and re-read the 23 page Consent Decree that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is now operating under. Also take time to study the maps showing the areas to be closed during the summer. According to Consent Decree the pre-nesting areas shall be established by March 15 and will include those areas on the maps plus any others frequented by piping plovers and turtles. We have been informed we have to change our assumptions. We no longer can assume the beaches are open, with temporary closures but we now have to adjust to idea that the beaches are closed with occasional openings.

What is a legal Consent Decree? This can best be answered by the quote below from a web-site I use quite often, called Wikipedia.

Consent decree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A consent decree (also referred to as a consent order) is a judicial decree expressing a voluntary agreement between parties to a suit, especially an agreement by a defendant to cease activities alleged by the government to be illegal in return for an end to the charges.

A consent decree can be either interlocutory or final. The former is given on some plea or issue arising in the cause which does not decide the main question; the latter settles the matter in dispute, and a final decree has the same effect as a judgment at law.

Once entered, a consent decree is binding on the consenting parties and cannot be reviewed except on a showing that the consent was obtained by fraud or that the decree was based on mutual error or a failure of consent.

The words Consent Decree have now become the new terms that describe the Cape Hatteras Recreational Area. We are told over and over in press releases from the National Parks Superintendent’s office that he is operating under the Consent Decree as outlined by the court and the Audubon Society and the Defenders of Wildlife.

The word Consent, as applied to the decree laid down for The Cape Hatteras Recreational Seashore, is a fraudulent term used to make it sound like we the people have agreed to the mess that is going on. We have not. We are not happy about this and agree with the statement made by our Hatteras Island representative on the board of Commissioners.

``I am not happy with the outcome,” stated Allen Burrus, Vice Chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners. “To further restrict access to some of the most enjoyable beach and fishing spots on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is disappointing. Being happy that the consent decree only restricts access instead of banning it is like saying you’re glad you only have one headache – not two.’’

When Dare county Chairman Warren Judge testified before the Congressional Sub-committee on Senate Bill S3113 he was asked by the Chairman of the committee to explain why he gave his consent. He said it was because, at that time, it was either accept it or they would close down the entire beach. He pointed out that to do this at the beginning of the tourist season would devastate the economy. I commend Chairman Judge for his testimony, and all the Dare County, Hyde County Commissioners and the other organizations who signed off on the consent decree document for their untiring efforts to save access to our beaches. I realize when they hurriedly signed off on the Consent Decree document they did what they felt at the time was in the best interest of the businesses and the people.

I know that they were not speaking for the majority of people on these Islands whose blood line goes back to the early settlers. Even with a so called gun at their heads the locals would not have agreed to limit beach access in any form or fashion. Locals recall that at the formation of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore they were promised in writing by the government’s representative, Conrad L. Wirth, Director of National Park Service that they would “provide access to the beach for everybody.” Locals reply to the Defenders of Wildlife and the Audubon Society would have been pull the trigger, shut her down, and be prepared for the battle of your life. Locals do not view beach access as a privilege but as a right that was promised to them by the United States Government.

The words “Consent Decree” are being misused to make it appear that we the people gave our consent when in reality we never did. All one has to do is read the letters to the editors that have come pouring in since the establishment of the Consent Decree to realize that the public did not agree to limiting beach access in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area.

Let’s tell the truth. It is not Consent Decree. It is a Decree established by the Department of Interior who controls the National Parks, and the Audubon Society and the Defenders of wildlife. There is no public Consent. The other parties who signed off on it really had no say in the matter. It was a done deal before it was hurriedly presented to them. This was apparent by the Testimony of the Department of Interior at the Congressional hearing who let it be known they were happy with the Decree and wanted it to stay in place. This smacks of trickery and smart planning on their part. They were able to silence any organized opposition to the Decree by getting them to sign off on it at the last minute before they could consult the opinions of the public. It would have been put in place with or without their so called consent.

Note: If I were the Department of Interior I would not be happy with the Consent Decree. What it is really saying is, “You do not know how to do your job.” It is saying, “ You created the problem.” In my estimation these useless people have established a situation that is unheard of in our government. Because they were unable to do their job, private enterprise has used the court system to take over a governmental agency. If this remains in place it means anyone who is unhappy with the way a governmental agency functions they can do the same thing. Surely the next President will not want to keep on his team such a bunch of inept people who have wasted tax payer’s money and gone against the will of the people because they don’t know how to do their jobs.

It is time we accept the reality that with the signing off to this agreement there is no legal action that can be taken by thos who signed it to challenge the content of the agreement.

Let me say once again that the word Consent is a fraudulent term when applied to the Decree that governs the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area. Consent Decree is a term that has been concocted to make it look like we the public agreed to limit beach access. I would think a good lawyer could argue that in court and show that the public never gave its consent. Did you give your consent?

Over and over I am being asked by Island home owners and visitors to our shop, “What can we do about the situation?” I have asked myself this same question. I have concluded all we can do is take the advice of Johnny Mercer in his song he and Harold Allen composed in 1944, “Accentuate the Positive and Eliminate the Negative”. There is no longer any need to be riding a dead horse. We who live on the Outer Banks will have to accept the new rules and regulations laid down by the court whether we want to or not. It is the law and will remain the law unless it is changed by Congressional action. We have only two things we can do and that is continually pray and contact our representatives in Washington. After we have done that we have done all we can do at this time.

The hand writing is on the wall as to the future of these Islands. The good-ole- days are gone for good. The battle is over. Once again we the people have been betrayed by the national park service. When they made the statement they are happy with the Consent Decree as it now is we can only expect in 2011 when they announce their final management plan it will contain the same elements found in the consent decree and more. As I am writing this I envision we are looking at year around full closure in many of the favorite areas to not only driving but walking. I also can see a paid permit to drive the beach with a limited number of vehicles on the beach at a time.

Again you might say what can we do about it? My answer again is pray, write and forget it. So I say Accentuate the Positive and Eliminate the Negative. Now that we have to live under this from here on, rather than become disgruntled, despondent or argue about the situation, we need to just accept it and go on. A famous man once said, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.” Start looking at all the positive things one can still do to at Hatteras and Ocracoke. Even under the terms of the Consent Decree a person can still have a wonderful time on these Islands.

This is definitely not the time to be spreading sour grapes to potential visitors to these Islands. There is no need to cry over spilled milk. Nobody wants to come to a place for a vacation that is embroiled in a constant controversy. To harp on it night and day does not encourage people to return to this little bit of heaven on earth.

Please for your own sake and the sake of our Island, Accentuate the Positive and Eliminate the Negative.

Should you have nothing else to do come sit a few minutes with me under the old oak tree (Wisdom Tree) and we will talk about fun things we used to do and still can do on Hatteras and Ocracoke.

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Methods of Increasing Piping Plover Survival
on our Beaches

By Barbara Ackley
Presented to the Reg Neg Committee Sept. 9

While this committee is charged with developing an ORV plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, much attention has been given to the preservation of certain species in relation to the use of the beach. Today I will address the Piping Plover. In my view after research of CAHA data and observation, there are three main problem areas affecting the decline of this bird: the storms, predators, and foraging area. Over the past 20 years various management emphases have changed.

Piping Plovers need special safe places to brood and raise chicks. Recently it has been attempted to encourage them to the open beach because the pond areas where they used to locate are densely vegetated.

Vegetation overgrowth began approximately 1989 due to lack of storm overwash. Nesting and feeding at the pond area was blocked. A vegetation control program, mowing and lightly disking, was begun in 1993 and continued through 1996. In 1995 the treated area was 90 acres at Cape Point and 20 acres at Hatteras Spit.

In the years after vegetation control was stopped, the number of Piping Plovers on the Seashore dropped. Beginning in 2005 increasingly large, extensive areas of the beach were set aside for nesting. In 2006, finding these attractive places for nests on the beach, more pairs began nesting at Cape Hatteras, staying here instead of flying farther north. However, the birds weren't weather persons. Storms claimed nests and eggs. Predators inhabited the vegetated areas and beaches and claimed eggs and fledglings. There are this year nearly as many pairs and surviving fledglings as the earlier years.

In the past 20 years, the highest number of pairs was 15 in 1989; the fewest, 2 in 2002 and 2003. The statistic of greatest value is the number of fledglings. That occurred in 1998 when 12 pair produced 9 chicks. It was a year of no damaging spring storms. In the last 15 years there have been 11 storm events in the late spring-early summer months. Our fledge rate this year was 0.64. Last year it was slightly better, 0.67. Last year the first five nests were lost to storms. This year 2 were lost to storms, 6 nests to predation. Only 3 of the thirteen nests fledged chicks.

In the past 12 years vegetation has been growing around the ponds and on the upper beach. This has forced the nesting onto the front beach where the storm action is greatest. However, the fledglings forage primarily on the ephemeral ponds, not the ocean front.

What can we do to have greater Piping Plover production on the Outer Banks? What do our CAHA Resource Reports and the observation of those on the beach tell us? Storms and predators are our greatest enemies. The native animals have always been here. The number of animals removed in 2007 totaled 385. Totals are expected to be higher this year because there has been a full time predator control person. These animals thrive in the thick vegetation.

Suggestion: resume the management of the vegetated land on the interior sections of the beaches. Conduct an active program of restoration of the pond areas, even create ponds. This will provide a safer place for nesting and foraging. This will remove an attractive area for predators.

Again I ask you to study the reports of this particular habitat, use your funds productively. Manage this bird population while still providing full public recreation.

My Comments: If you look close at this document you will find it contains some substantial scientific information as well as facts concerning the number of animals killed and insignificant number of fledglings of birds. We thank Barbara for her efforts to preserve our right to beach access.

E-mail me and let me know how you feel about Napping on the Beach

Napping on the Beach

Dewey Parr

Today, for the first time, I attended the meeting of the National Park’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Reg. Neg.) at the Avon Fire Station. It was a very informative meeting. Also humorous. It was much better than any comedy I have watched on TV for many a year. The meeting centered on the sub-committee’s report to the main committee concerning regulations that would apply to off road vehicles. There were two topics I found very interesting. One was the ticketing of people who did not have the designated amount of air pressure in their tires, and the other one was taking a nap on the beach.

The majority of time for the session was spent in discussing giving tickets to people for napping in their vehicles or just napping on the beach at anytime. It seems this is a real problem and necessitates hours of additional discussion. As I listened to each member of the committee give their views I could imagine all kinds of tickets being passed out to the public if they caught anyone with their eyes closed. I for one would probably be ticketed often for I enjoy going to the beach, sitting in my beach buggy, watching the waves, and feeling the ocean breezes. Time after time I find myself napping. To some it now seems that anytime you close your eyes on the beach it constitutes an infraction of the no sleeping on the beach law. I would welcome the opportunity, at age 77, for some Park Ranger to take me before a Judge because I fell asleep on the beach. I am sure the Judge would get a kick out it as well as the news media. Wonder if I would be allowed to nap in jail?

Below is a copy of a portion of the pass out that was provided to those present at the committee meeting that deals with what was designated as the outstanding topic for discussion. Read it and make your own determination as to what kind of action should be taken against those who dare to nap on the beaches of Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

As the topic of napping and short-term sleeping on the beach remains under discussion by the subcommittee, it is not included in the document above. Due to enforcement challenges, this topic is closely linked to the topic of camping on the beach.

OUTSTANDING TOPIC

Related issues and concerns raised include:



1. Equity: those on the beach without vehicles are permitted to nap, so those with vehicles should also be allowed to do so.
2. Brief Interludes: desire for those who drive to the beach for a long day of fishing to be allowed to nap while awaiting the tide or other conditions.
3. Enforcement: Want regulations that are enforceable. Assuming that camping anywhere on the beach is not allowed for a variety of reasons, because it is difficult for rangers to make a distinction at night between those who are truly camping and those napping, allowing napping at all makes the no camping regulation difficult to enforce.

This document is a working draft for discussion. It does not reflect Committee consensus or individual Committee member concurrence on the specific terms and provisions.

Do you feel Napping on the Beach is a Criminal Offence?

I have not attended all of these meetings but I wonder if there have been any discussions about the weightier matters that are happening to these Islands. Subjects as the extreme hardships that are being placed on families who no longer have work because of the loss of revenues as a result of beach closures, the killing off of all the cats, coons, dogs, and anything else that is considered to be a predator of bird eggs or chicks, the intimidation of the public by gun-toting park rangers, the destruction of the natural beauty of the Islands by unsightly signs and road blockage, the chasing away of tourist by over checking and ticketing them, and the changing of the traditional way of life on the Islands.

E-mail me and let me know how you feel about Napping on the Beach

Our Letter To Congress

Dewey and Mary Parr

As a result of the decision of a Federal Judge, who ruled in favor of the lawsuit brought against the National Park Service, and the People of the United States of America by the National Audubon society and the Defenders of Wildlife, the administration of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore must adhere to the terms of the Consent Decree.

To better understand what the term Consent Decree involves you must understand that the situation the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the People found itself in was similar to a person holding a gun to your head and saying you either consent to our terms or we will pull the trigger. The trigger, in this case was we will close down the entire beaches of the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area if you don’t agree to our terms. The weapon they were holding was the Richard Nixon Presidential Edict. It stated that any National Park that did not have a formalized management program it was illegal to drive within it. The Judge overlooked the fact that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was in the process of preparing a formalized management program, and there had been one prepared and submitted in the past.

With this as a background I will present our views of the Consent Decree and why we feel it violates our civil rights and is unconstitutional.

I view this whole mess like a farmer viewed his son’s education. Someone told me a cute joke years ago about a farmer who saved his money and sweated his whole life to prepare for the day when he could send his son to College. To him this was the greatest thing he could do for his boy. He did not have the opportunity for higher education himself. When the boy came home after his first year in college the farmer wanted to impresses his friends with the education he had given his son. In front of his friends he said to them, “My boy has been away to college and he has studied Algebra.” He turned to the boy and said, “Son, say something to them in Algebra.” The boy said, “Pie R Square”. The farmer looked at him and said, “Dad-gum-it I wasted all that money sending you to school. Everyone knows Pie R Round.”

Consent Decree Is a Waste of Tax Payers Money

When it comes to the Consent Decree, Dad-gum-it, it is a waste of tax payer’s money. Think of how much money has already been wasted on administering the Consent Decree, and even paying for the lawyers of the National Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife. I think we the people have a right to receive full accounting of the amount of money that has already been spent to administer the Consent Decree and the anticipated amount needed in the next few years.

Consent Decree Violates the Rights of the Handicapped

Under the terms of the Consent Decree there is no provision made for beach access for the handicapped. The beach is supposed to belong to the people. If you are handicapped and cannot access it there is no value. To allow only walking to certain parts of the beach and allow no motorized vehicles to transport the handicapped to those areas, in our estimation violates the laws pertaining to the handicapped. The handicapped pay taxes too. It has been a heart breaker for us to stare at Cape Point and see people there and know we cannot get there due to our age and health. I definitely feel this violates our rights and the rights of all senior citizens and the handicapped,.

Consent Decree Establishes a Dangerous Precedence for Other Governmental Agencies.

In essence, what Consent Decree is saying to the Department of Interior and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent, is your department does not know how to do your job so we are taking over. To allow this decree to stay in place means that in the future private non-governmental agencies or organizations such as the national Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife can petition the court to take over the management of any governmental agency it desires. To me this definitely is in violation of the constitution. We are not being governed by the government but by private enterprise.

Consent Decree Violates the Promise Made to the Citizens of the Outer Banks By Our Government.

At the conception of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in 1952 the promise was made to the people that beach access would never be denied. This promise was made to all the American people as well as my family who were present at the meeting with Park Service Director Conrad Wirth who was speaking on behalf of the government. For our government to allow Consent Decree to remain in place indicates our government is no longer capable of being trusted by the people to keep its word.

Consent Decree Endangers the Economy of the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks main industry is tourism. The main showcase of the Outer Banks has not only been its link to our nations past history but its link to the fishing industry. Consent Decree limits the opportunity for the citizens who live on the Outer Banks and those who visit to enjoy the many simple pleasures of fishing or just walking or driving the beach. As a result of Consent Decree many have indicated they will no longer return to the area for their vacations. Nor will they recommend it anymore to their friends. For Consent Decree to remain in place many businesses will not be able to continue in the coming year. For this to occur will result in hardship for employees due to lay-offs. It will severely affect the infrastructure of Dare and surrounding counties. When one analyzes the final Park Service report of the number of fledglings of birds you cannot help but ask yourself, is it worth sacrificing the entire economy of the Outer Banks for such an insignificant number of birds?

Consent Decree Unjustly Changes the Image of the Park Rangers and Interferes With the Balance of Nature.

As a result of the Consent Decree the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Rangers are being viewed as gun-toting enforcers waiting to issue you a ticket or shoot you if you should enter an enclosure accidentally or otherwise. For years school teachers presented the National Park Rangers as our friends who loved nature and were always willing to provide information concerning the care and protection of all wild creatures. Now many island children are afraid to approach our park rangers. Consent Decree addresses the issue of preserving only one species of nature and encourages the elimination of all other species that are viewed as predators It is a violation of the rules of nature to kill off all the other species such as coons, cats, dogs, foxes, and etc. to preserve just the piping plover, and oyster catchers. It leaves the impression that even humans are in danger of being eliminated and their welfare is secondary vandalism to that of the birds.

We hope you and the members of Congress will find it in your hearts to take a close look at what is occurring on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a result of the Consent Decree that was imposed on the people prior to rendering your decision.

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Friends Working Hard To Save Our Beaches

Dewey Parr

Below is a list of friends who are working diligently to save our beaches. You might want to take the time to visit their web sites and thank them for their untiring efforts. We can not thank them enough for helping to preserve our way of life on Hatteras and Ocracoke .

Friends Working Hard To Save Our Beaches	Click on Logos To Visit Sites Listed Below
Outer Banks Preservation Association John Couch, President, and all the members of the OBPA for their constant efforts throughout the years to keep our beaches free and open to the public.
Island Free Press - Irene Nolan, Editor Irene is doing a superb job of keeping everyone informed with up to date data.
Rob Alderman Rob and his loyal helpers are working non stop to save our beaches.
Bob Eakes Bob and his Red Drum Staff have been working from day one to keep our beachs open. Take time to check out his forum and see what others are saying.
Anglers Club: Larry Hardham, President Larry and all the members of the Anglers Club are to be commended for their efforts to save our beaches as well as the other things they do to help the community. If on the Island take time to attend their Bingo sessions, which they use to raise money for scholarships for our High School students.
American Sportfishing Association Mike Nussman, President & CEO and members of the American Sportfishing Association for supporting the restoring of the Cape Hatteras Seashore Access. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade asssociation committed to looking out for the interest of the entire sportfishing community.
Jim Keene Jim Keene, President of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association and all of their dedicated members who work so hard to keep our beaches open and clean. This organizations sponsors three beach clean ups per year. Take time to read President Keene’s Statements about Saving Our Beaches.
Billy Lomnicki President of the United Mobile Sportfishermen (UMS) and their 28 access groups for reaching out to help we who live on Hatteras Island to enjoy access to the beach. Take time to review the list of their keepers of the beach. When you do so you will no longer feel alone in our effort to save our beaches. It is wonderful to have friends from far away places.
North Carolina Coastal Conservation Association Stephen Ammons, Executive Director and all the members of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). The CCA is a non-profit organization comprised of 15 coastal state chapters spanning the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard. CCA’s strength is drawn from the tens of thousands of recreational saltwater anglers who make up its membership. From South Texas to the upper reaches of Maine, CCA’s grassroots influence is felt through state capitals, U.S. Congress and, just importantly, in the conservation and restoration of our coastal marine resources. We owe them a big Thank You. Look at their statement CCA Supports Legislation for Hatteras Island Access
TW's Bait and Tackle Terry and Robin Stewart and staff at TW's Bait and Tackel are going all out to help save our beaches. They keep a message on their sign out front of the store. Inside the shop they have literature available and keep a bulletin board with update posting concerning the beach driving issue. Thanks TW
Frank and Fran Frank and Fran and all their friends who are working diligently to preserve the Island heritage by keeping our beaches open. Frank is a descendant of one of the original families on the Hatteras Island long before the National Park was formed. Their shop has been in Avon for 20 years and they sponsor the Red Drum Tournament to be held this year Oct. 25-27
We would like to thank everyone for your untiring efforts to save our beaches.

Comments From Our Readers.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

High Tea At Sea

Dewey Parr

While in the Navy I spent a few years at sea. My experiences were limited to a destroyer, battleship, and a few other short excursions on a PT boat and LST. Each one of these vessels had limited amenities to offer. It was only natural that I was in awe when I had my fist experience as a passenger aboard a cruise ship. The luxuries provided aboard these ocean going hotels are something to behold.

Not being one to miss out on anything, I decided to attend what they called High Tea At Sea. It was a new experience for me. When I entered the room there was a musician sitting at a baby grand piano playing soft, soothing music. People were going down both sides of a buffet loaded with some of the most beautiful pastries I had ever seen. I was seated and served tea from a silver pot in a fancy cup. Those around me where evidently accustomed to this type of function. They started their conversations by checking me out to see if I was worthy of conversing with them. They did this by asking a series of pointed questions about my background. As they did this they dropped bits and pieces about their extensive travels and knowledge about all subjects. After they figured out that I might have something new and interesting to add they began to enter into philosophical discussions of the worlds problems of the day. Of course this was done in a fashion not to be offensive or in anyway or to impose or reveal their own beliefs. As I listened to different conversations I concluded most of these people could really care less about others. They were just there for the entertainment. They appeared to be living in their own little luxurious world which was aloof from the cares of rest the world. When I came back to our stateroom I shared my experience with Mary and concluded that High Tea At Sea was not for me.

Now, the reason I share my High Tea At Sea experience with you is that I don’t feel the issue facing Hatteras and Ocracoke concerning keeping our beaches open, ought to be handled like it is High Tea at Sea. To me it is time to say what you think. I don’t feel that it is improper to point out who is on what side of the issue. When you are in a battle, be it an issue or a war, you need to know who your enemy is. You need to know who wants to hurt you or hinder you from accomplishing your goals.

I cannot help but wonder how many of our troops in Iraq would be alive today if they had known who their enemy was. Many of our soldiers over there have been like sitting ducks. The enemy is able to disguise themselves and walk right up to them before they know who they are. When you are in a war you need to know who you are up against.

Yes, I feel that those who are in favor of turning our beaches over to the Defenders of Wild Life and the Audubon Society are the enemy of every family or property owner on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. These are people that could care less about the suffering that is being inflicted on businesses, home owners, and Island families. It is time to let it be known that you are taking a stand to keep our beaches open and free for public use.

It is time to write your representatives in Washington an let them know in no uncertain terms that you want the law changed so that the National Park and People are back in control of the beaches.

I have no problems with anyone pointing a finger at those who live on these Islands who are aiding the enemy. In fact I thank those in our community who have taken the time to let me know who they are. I certainly do not plan on having any philosophical discussions with them about whether it is right or wrong to walk or drive the beach should a single bird land someplace on the Island.

The time for discussion is over it is now a time for action. I do not feel having extensive education, wealth, or position in life gives the leaders of the Audubon Society and the Defenders of Wild Life a right to force their opinions on issues that harm others. They are hurting the economy which in turn hurts even little children. There are two types of people that I detest: The people that hurt little children and kick old people when they are down. This is exactly what is being done by those who have used the courts to steal our Island away from the national Park Service and the People. The best I can do for them is pray that they will search their hearts and change their unrealistic goals to keep people from using the gifts of nature that God has given us to enjoy.

Tea Time Has Ended

It ended when the Audubon Society and the Defenders of Wild Life left
the NPS Rules Negations Committee and brought suit against the people
and the National Park Service.

This Not A Time For Philosophical Discussions

We Are At War

A War To Preserve Our Traditional Way Of Life
A War to maintain the economy of Hatteras and Ocracoke.

You Are Either With Us Or Against Us
If You Are With Us Contact Your Congress Persons

Maybe what we need is another Tea Party like they had in Boston on the night of Dec. 16, 1773. That tea party let the establishment know that the people were fed up with taxation without representation. If you are fed up with what is happening to these Islands do not hesitate to make your voice known.

Dewey Parr

Comments From Our Readers.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Memorial Day Is A Time To Remember And Renew our Vows

Dewey Parr

It was last Memorial Day weekend that someone took away my precious swing from under the Old Oak Tree. It is this 2008 Memorial Day that they have taken away my access to the beach. When I went to the beach today and looked towards Cape Point and realized I might never be able to go there again it was like taking candy from a baby. Since the days when I was a baby on this Island going to Cape Point has been a highlight of my life. My thoughts went back to those happy childhood days when Doc Folb rounded up all of us kids and drove us to Cape Point for a day of fun. To suddenly realize that, due to my health, if they should stop beach driving I could never go to Cape Point again brought tears to my eyes.

It brought tears to my eyes to realize I might never watch the waves clashing at Cape Point again because of what the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wild life have done to our Islands.

I was saddened to learn that there are some living on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands that want to see our beach access closed. I was even further surprised to learn that some of them own and operate businesses on the Islands.

In no way would I question their right to advocate no beach access. The wonderful thing about America is that we are granted the right to differ with others. It is this freedom my father fought for in World Wars I and II. The thing that troubles me about these people is they seem to be hiding their opposition to beach driving and working undercover to circumvent the efforts of those that want to preserve the right to drive and walk the beach.

Businesses that are against beach access seem to forget that in this situation you can’t have your cake and eat it too. You cannot have it both ways. You are either for helping the community and those that are working diligently to preserve open beach or you are against it. Some want the dollars spent by the ORV drivers and yet they work undercover to stop ORV’s from being on the beach. What they forget is if there is no beach driving those who have been supporting their businesses over the years, especially in spring and fall, will not be here to do so. Nor will the local residents who discover they are working to stop beach access support them. I personally have no problems letting it be known who is on what side of the fence on the issue of keeping our beaches open. In America we also have the right to not support or recommend those businesses to others. In the past we have sent many Old Gray House visitors to other businesses. I definitely will no longer send anyone to another business that I know is out to cut this communities throat by working against free and open access to beaches. I further question how they can look an Islanders in the face knowing their actions have put some out of work and deprived little children of the necessities of life.

To me this is the final episode in a long struggle, which began with my ancestors on these Islands, to preserve what was promised to them in the beginning of our Cape Hatteras National Recreational Park. We were told our beaches would always be open and free and our access to the beach would never be blocked. As you well know that promise was broken many years ago. This is the reason why Islanders like my grandmother Gray used to say “If the national park service was standing on a mile of Bibles and made you a promise it would be a lie”.

This being Memorial Day weekend I just came back from the graves of my Island ancestors. It is my custom to pay respect to our family members who have passed on. My mother and father are buried on this Island along with all of my mother’s ancestors except one and that is Kendrick Gray. His remains are not here through no fault of his own, but his spirit walks with me every day at the Old Gray House. While I was decorating the graves this year I renewed my pledge to help carry on the battle to preserve our access to the beach.

My Mother and Father’s Grave

Today On My Knees I Took An Oath On My Father and Mother’s Grave In The Buxton Cemetery To Fight For Free And Open Beaches On Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands

I say to every Islander that you need to take an oath on your ancestor’s graves that you will stand up and be counted in this the final fight to save our beaches.

I stopped by many other grave sites today taking time to remember and wonder what they would be doing or saying about what is happening on the Islands this Memorial Day. I am sure there has been much unrest in all of the Island cemeteries this day.

As I stopped by Doc Folb’s marker in the Buxton Cemetery today the sweet memories rolled of those times he took us to the beach. I am sure he is proud of his families’ efforts to keep our beaches open and free.

After leaving the Buxton cemetery I visited my Grand parent’s grave in the Jennette cemetery located in front of the Buxton Post office. There I made a similar vow to work for open beaches.

I am sure my Grandparents are not resting well in their graves as a result of the lack of concern by the Audubon society and the Defenders of Wildlife for those who treasure these Islands.

Many of us due to health and age no longer can fight the battles of life like we used to do, but we can encourage and lend our support to those that are willing and able to carry on the battle to keep our beaches open and free for public use. I am grateful that we have many individuals who are not native to these Islands who are carrying on the fight. These are people on and off the Island who have come to love the Island and the Islanders so much they are willing to devote their time and energy to keeping our beaches open. Everyone needs to let them know how much we appreciate their effort.

This morning as I made my way to the Orange Blossom for my morning apple ugly fix there stood a lovely lady passing out flyers and asking people to help preserve beach access. Later when I went to Food Lion there was Tom Woods on the parking lot talking to people and passing out flyers. As I made my to the beach to take a longing look at Cape Pont there was Geinny Luizer and Joan Berg greeting and sharing information with people. All over the Island today there were workers trying to get others to realize what is happening to our Island. We all need thank God for good folks like them who care this much.

From what I have seen of this tragic Memorial Day Weekend in the village of Buxton on Hatteras Island as result of our closed beaches can best be summed up in a picture I took of the sign board at Finnegan’s Dinning Haul. One can only wonder what it will be like next Memorial Day.

Finnegan’s Sign Board Says It All. Everywhere You Look On The
Beach You See Signs and Roped Off Areas. It Says To Me People
Are No Longer Welcome On Hatteras and Ocracoke Beaches.

Signs and Roped Off Areas

Below is a copy of the Save Our Beach flyer that was being passed out Memorial Day by those who are working to keep our Beaches Open. Contact your representative from your state. Remember this is a federal issue. Make a copy and ask your friends to help.

If you are from another state you can best help by writing your Washington representatives from your particular state. This is a federal issue and your representatives should be made aware of the problem. Your representatives votes on the funding for this park. I would further advise you to ask your representative for a response to your letter or e-mail.

Comments From Our Readers.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Urgent request for HELP

Dewey Parr

These twin girls need your help. They are Kendal, left, and Krystle Woods, both 7 years old. They have an older sister, Heather, 18. The three girls are the daughters of Thomas and Anne Woods, and they are a family that depends on the tourist trade for survival. The Woods own and operate the Island-Hide-A-Way Campground in Buxton. These are just two of hundreds of children who will be hurt as a result of the action of those who desire to close our beaches.

Our total way of life, and the economy, is being destroyed on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands as a result of a the decision that was made on a motion filed in U.S. District Court by The Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society requesting an injunction to stop beach driving in parts of the Cape Hatteras National Recreation Area. The National Park Service owns the total beach area on Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. From all appearances, the judge’s final decision on this injunction will eventually stop beach driving and foot traffic in all of the favorite areas frequented by islanders and tourists. At the present time in the Buxton area you can no longer drive on the beach from 10 pm to 6 am, or walk or drive to Cape Point and portions of the South Beach due to bird and turtle enclosures anytime. There are similar situations at Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke. The results of this decision are already beginning to take its toll on the families on these Islands who depend on the tourist trade and access to the ocean for their survival.

What can you do to help?

We are told in the Good Book to, “Pray for kings, and all who are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, in all godliness and honesty.” Please help us by praying that our Islands will be able to continue to be a place where people can come to find peace and quiet. Use your prayers to help keep Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands wonderful retreats from the rest of this hectic world.

PRAY, Ask the Good Lord to touch the hearts of the leaders of these environmental groups to back off demanding more and more of the Islands be closed to beach driving and walking. PRAY, that the members of these organizations will wake up to what they have done to the economy of these Islands. It is hard for me to understand how anyone could support organizations like these that seem to have little concern for people. If members of these organizations had any consciences at all they would be demanding their leaders stop the movement to make Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands nothing more than a bird sanctuary like Pea Island.

PRAY, they will become aware of the hardships they have placed on the people on these Islands. As a result of what they have done businesses are beginning to suffer and individual families are feeling the results. Businesses have no other alternative but to cut back. Vacationers are beginning to have second thoughts about coming to Hatteras and Ocracoke. Many home owners who depended on rentals to pay the mortgages are in trouble. Family after family, on and off the Island, is facing future hardships as a result of what has happened here at the beginning of the tourist season. Dare County will soon feel the affects. There will be less tax revenue to support the infrastructure and schools. There is no doubt property values will drop and foreclosures will increase.

PRAY, that our Senators and Congressmen who make the laws in Washington will look into this matter and consider changing the law that has to do with the endangered species act. Until those who govern we the people come to realize that man was given dominion over the birds that fly and the animals that walk, there will be little or no hope left for free and open access to the beach that was promised to the Islanders at the time the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Area was instituted.

In my opinion the dye is cast. Hatteras and Ocracoke can only look for things to get worse. It is my feeling that the next thing coming will be a fee and limited number of vehicles allowed to drive what little is left of the beach. I can also envision the day will come when you will have to pay to walk the Beaches of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

If you have any comments.  Send your comments to: OuterBanksShells.com

Comments From Our Readers

Chuck sends these sites you might want to look at about the destruction of the coons. Raccons are being removed from Hatteras also. Have you wondered why you no longer see them around the fish cleaning tables at Cape Point anymore. Look at the articles Chuck sent. Thanks Chuck

Hi all.....I know you're a writer and I sure hope you let me know and read what you write about this article. Looks like they forgot to teach the critters to read those signs.....HEEEEEE!

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=8869446&nav=menu45_2_5      ===> coon removal

parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=359&projectId=23028       NPS Plan for removal

Chuck
Have a Good One!

Lawrence writes:

Right-on Dewey! I feel the same way towards the factions that are attempting to close down the beaches all up and down the coastline of this great country. God knows what drives their egos that they feel they have more say-so than our Constitution and the God given dominion of man over the animals of the earth. It is difficult to attempt to be civil with these purveyors of the half-truths as they are indeed attempting to destroy a refuge for the humans who need surcease from the local metropolitan areas. People are losing their livings (and all that implies),and their space to recover and regenerate from their trials, all for the satisfaction of a few who choose not to negotiate, discuss or consider the results or consequences of their actions. Let's hope they have bitten off more than for what they have bargained when they took on the folks of Hatteras and Ocracoke.

Lawrence

Hello! My name is Debra, I live in Chesapeake, VA, and I have emailed both my Senators, and Congressman, and requested that they vote to pass bills 6233 and 3113.

I have been coming to the Outerbanks and driving on the beaches for 20 years, since I was a teen. I am now married, and have two children of my own, and their favorite place to go is Hatteras Island. We have always enjoyed and preferred the quiet, primitive setting of the beaches down there over VA beach. It's so nice to be able to back your truck up, and find your very own space on the beach without being crowded.

I will keep ya'll in my prayers, and will be passing your website to others and encouraging them to write to their senators/congressmen as well.

I really enjoyed your Memorial Day writing sent to us by Lynn Murray. We aren't down there all the time now, but Berle has opened his carving shop in Frisco for the season, business is much slower than normal. The folks that do come in talk a while, and he says folks are really confused. He says some who stop by think all the beaches are closed to everyone all the time. There is a lot of confusion out there. We pray that things will get better, and that the park service changes course and reopens the beaches for driving.

Thank you for giving us far off visitors to Hatteras and Ocracoke the news of the awful situation you all are being forced to live with.

Your website is very informative, and I’m glad to know that you and the local people are trying to stop the insanity of these power-hungry, self-serving, self-righteous, un-American outsiders.

I will be bringing my family to Buxton twice this Summer as planned, and I can’t wait to walk the trails and beaches allowed, as well as renew old acquaintances at all the wonderful Hatteras Island businesses we love to patronize. Especially (of course) The Old Gray House for shopping, the beautiful Old Gray House trail, sitting on the swing and most of all just seeing you and Mary.

That being said, here’s my two cents worth: I hope your current local crisis is only the end of the beginning, and only a temporary nightmare. In the meantime, I can’t stress enough the need for all who love to visit - DO NOT CANCEL YOUR TRIP TO HATTERAS OR OCRACOKE! If anything, add extra days or even an additional visit. The beauty of the place in its’ entirety is more than enough reason to keep coming.

If beach driving is restricted we should not give up by leaving or canceling our visits; CANCELLING YOUR TRIP IS SURRENDER TO THE ENEMY OF THE PLACE WE LOVE SO. This place has more to offer than beach driving and fishing.

We could instead take more time to visit other areas, spend more time visiting and talking to locals while frequenting their wonderful businesses. Hatteras is all about driving the beach and fishing, but not really all. Hatteras is a feeling, a peaceful place, a place where time stops, cares disappear. Hatteras is its’ people, loving and caring, rich in history, culture, the arts and the art of conversation, a family place.

I have faith that this is not the beginning of the end, that the people to blame will give in or see the error of their sinful ways. They can put up fences, signs, rules, restrictions, but they cannot take away the many blessings of the beauty that is Hatteras and its’ people.

I, like many, can only find it to visit a few times a year, yet feel it is like home. I often read the many stories and essays you’ve written on this website, and it keeps me feeling good while I’m away from Hatteras. It is the people like you and Mary and so many other friendly and fun locals we’ve met that keep us coming back each year, driving over 400 miles each way.

We’ll keep praying, talking loud without fear and writing until they give us back our Island home they’ve tried to steal. Thanks to the absurdity of people in high places, the way of the world is upside down.

But the will of the common folk is strong, and the citizens and visitors of Hatteras and Ocracoke will not be defeated.

My family and I look forward to seeing you all in July!

As always, I remain, Your Friend,

Michael Letso

I have just finished reading your honest and heart-wrenching article about how Doc Folb used to take all you kids out to the point and what the point means to you. I am the lovely lady that you met outside of Orange Blossom Sunday morn. I somehow knew that I was talking to someone special. You, kind sir, are a gentleman. I will continue my effort to help you regain your homeland and the beaches that mean so much to all of us.