The Protected Species Management Strategy was challenged by SELC in 2008 and was replaced with a court ordered consent decree. Click here to find out more about the consent decree and the filings that led up to the decree. NC house and senate representatives have introduced legisation asking Congress to reinstate the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy and return park management to the status quo until the long-term Off –Road Vehicle Management Plan and regulation is completed. Click on the news tab at the top of the screen to follow the progress of this initiative and to lend your support.
Several organizations expended considerable resources to protect your access to our beaches via the negotiated rule making process designed to provide the park service with advice as to how the park should be managed. While the committee failed to reach consensus many of the organizations involved continue to fight to protect your access to our beaches. One such oranization is the Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA). The OBPA was established in 1970 “as an advocate the protection and preservation of our beaches within a framework of free and open beach access for all users including properly licensed drivers and vehicles.” Click here to find out more about the Outer Banks Preservation Association and its activities.
Another such organization is CHAPA. The Outer Banks Preservation Association has established the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance (CHAPA) “as a project to further the goals set forth in the articles of incorporation of OBPA and its mission. The purpose of CHAPA is to provide a venue through which OBPA can join with other like-minded user groups to preserve and defend through negotiation or litigation against any effort by any person, group, organization, or government agency to ban or restrict vehicular or other access to the beaches (ocean and sound side) of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.” The first endeavor of CHAPA was to challenge the US Fish & Wildlife Service's critical habitat designation for wintering piping plover within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore--CHAPA was successful. Click here to find out more about the Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance and it activities. Unfortunately, USFWS has revised its designation and has reissued the rule. CHAPA has filed a law suite challenging this latest attempt to desiginate critical habitat at Cape Hatteras. Please support OBPA and help us build the legal fund required to win the battle to retain access to our beaches.
Finally, Dare County has stepped up to the plate in a big way. Dare County added support to OBPA/CHAPA by taking the lead in support of the park service when SELC challenged the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy. The end result, since we lost that battle, was that Dare County footed the legal bill instead of OBPA/CHAPA. Without this support OBPA/CHAPA would have very little left in the legal fund to fight the critical habitat designation. Furthermore, Dare County is developing a public information campaign that includes a new web site. Please click here and join. Joining is free. Joining will keep you up to date and, more importantly, demonstrate the maginitute of the potential harm that will be inflicted by ever increasing beach closures.
For a complete listing of organizations that are actively involved in protecting your rights click on the links tab at the top of this page.
In keeping with our mission, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club actively supports the efforts of the Outer Banks Preservation Association through regular and substantial donations. Additionally, members of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club serve on the board of directors of the Outer Banks Preservation Association.
Finally, should you wish to study beach access issues (including the status of the Bonner Bridge Replacement Project) in greater detail follow the link below for a detailed timeline, including links to relevant documents. We will make every effort to keep this timeline up to date.
DETAILED TIMELINE AND DOCUMENTS/LINKS
