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Dare County Opposes Audubon’s Call for Year
Round Beach Closures
Dare County has opposed a request by Audubon North
Carolina to restrict all recreational activity on a year round basis in
the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. In a letter
dated Dec. 21, 2009, Audubon asked the National Park Service to include
in their Draft Environment Impact Statement “the highest level of
protection” which would prohibit year round recreational access for
everyone. This would have a detrimental impact on more than 2.2
million yearly recreational visitors recorded by the National Park
Service.
“This extreme approach recommended by Audubon would have horrific
consequences” said Warren Judge, Chairman of the Dare County Board of
Commissioners. He explained, “The consent decree closures have
already had a devastating impact. To close the beaches even
further would be a prescription for economic suicide for the
hard-working Americans serving the visitors of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational Area.”
Audubon’s request purports to be based on protocols that were prepared
in 2005 by the U.S. Geological Survey. However, in publishing
their opinions USGS clearly stated, “These protocols do not attempt to
balance the need for protection of these species with other activities
that occur at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.” The National Park
Service has characterized these protocols as “a tool to assist in the
development of park planning documents.” The protocols cited by
Audubon represent the opinions of those asked to make technical
recommendations without regard to the full consideration of the law, the
economy and public use.
Audubon’s letter included the names of individuals and organizations as
signatories. Many of these people have had no direct connection
with Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, nor have they
studied the complexities involved in the unique history and use of this
seashore. In fact, a disclaimer reveals that their views “are not
the official position of their institutions, agencies, or
organizations.”
In a troubling development related to the letter, one of those listed as
a signatory has told Audubon to remove their name. Biologist
Heather Shaw with Ducks Unlimited says in a published report, “I do not
know how my name ended up on the letter, and I did not knowingly
authorize the use of my name or that of Ducks Unlimited.” She
added, “I would greatly appreciate both my name and that of Ducks
Unlimited be removed from the letter.”
“Audubon has gone too far,” said Judge. “Now it is clear that
Audubon was not negotiating in good faith in the past when claiming they
wanted only to control access, not stop it. They have finally
exposed their long intended goal of closing the Cape Hatteras National
Seashore Recreational Area to everyone forever.”
Dare County has encouraged the National Park Service to give
science-based protection for wildlife and provide reasonable access for
recreation consistent with the enabling legislation.
Additional information including Audubon’s original letter to the
National Park Service is available at
www.PreserveBeachAccess.org
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