The Interim Plan approved and implemented in 2007 has been modified by an agreement (Consent Decree) crafted and forced on the people by special interest groups .  Under this agreement we have experienced the following changes at the Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island:

	Resource closures that are vastly bigger and longer in duration (click here for a comparison of the consent decree buffers and the buffers employed at other seashores).  These closures must be erected/adjusted within hours of observed shorebird "activity".  Shorebird refers to any and all shorebirds that nest here,  not just the threatened Piping Plover.
	Access being denied to EVERYONE, not just ORV users.  Resource closures are being extended into the water--NO WALKING, NO WADING.
	A ban on night time ORV use during the period of May 1 through November 15 (permits will be available beginning September 16).
	An ORV free corridor to be established in all areas not covered by the pre nesting closures.  This vehicle free corridor shall be provided for 10 meters (approximately 30 foot)  from the dune line toward the ocean, " provided" that there is 20 meters (approximately 60 foot) remaining for an ORV corridor.
	Violation of closures (prosecuted or not) resulting in $5,000 fines and 6 months in jail and further expansion of closures. Rewards of $1,000 have been offered for information leading to the arrest of two of individuals involved in two separate incidents involving vandalism.of

To appreciate the impact of the Consent Decree, consider that fact that within five days of the court's approval of the Consent Decree, Cape Point (Picture), Oregon Inlet spit (Map), and the South Point of Ocracoke (Map) were effectively closed.  Furthermore, resource closures had effectively closed the area between ramp 27 and ramp 30,  ramp 34, and Hatteras Inlet (Map).  Finally, in 2008, 6 acts of vandalism resulted in aproximately 600 feet or 1/4 mile of additional closures.  Click here for a complete recap of the closures for the 2008 tourist season. 

The consent agreement was only accepted by ACCESS supporters because the alternative was TOTAL BEACH CLOSURES.  The Consent Decree will remain in effect until one of the following happens:

	a NEPA compliant special ORV regulation is formally approved,
	disputes arise with respect to implementation of the decree that cannot be resolved,
	new litigation results in the reversal of the voluntary settlement,
	Congress passes legislation authorizing ORV use as practiced under the Interim Plan, or
	the President issues an executive order authorizing ORV use as practiced under the Interim Plan.

All members are encouraged to make their opinions known.  A contact list for governmental official at all levels is available under the Beach Access Contacts Section.

For a complete description of how we got to this point, see the article below titled Interim Plan Events.  Additionally click here for a time line, which includes updates on the ORV planning process and USFWS re-designation of  Critical Habitat for the Great Lakes Wintering Piping Plover.