|
We need visitors and potential visitors to Hatteras to write comments in their own writing style and in their own words how the new rules would affect their visits to the park.
The following are some suggestions as to the worst language in my opinion:
(c) (2) ORV Permits., While we will not support permits/fees, if they are instituted by the superintendent, he should limit their cost to a minimal amount that could be readily afforded by the average citizen.A visitor to this Seashore should not have to consider the cost of a permit when budgeting his/her family vacation.The $150-$200+ permit costs @ some seashores is uncalled for in this Recreational Area. Any permit should be readily available on the internet, the NPS could not possibly process the volume of visitors arriving on a sunny Saturday in mid-summer thus creating unintended closures .
(c) (9) ORV Routes .... Closing pond side access to Oregon Inlet & the calmer waters inside the Hook at Cape Point will prevent access to traditionally favorite areas for family fishing, shelling, swimming and family recreation.
While the chart references ramps 2.5, 32.5, 47.5, 59.5 and several interdunal roads, no mention is made of how or when these routes will be constructed. Money is very slow coming from Washington (as evidenced in the recent end to the work On Bodie Island Lighthouse).Nothing should be closed unless or until these infrastructures are in place and usable. Parking areas must also be constructed toenable parking for all of the vehicles denied the right to park at favored areas.
VFA's should not be permanently designated areas and only instituted when found necessary by the Superintendent [ie, (10) Superintendent's closures.....].VFA's (Vehicle Free Areas, a new term being used and implemented within this Proposed Rule) will require additional off beach parking for those who chose to be pedestrians within the VFA's.If experience shows that VFA/s are not being regularly used by a justifiable number of pedestrians these VFA's could/should be reopened for ORV use.
This RULE should provide latitude to the Superintendent to adaptively alter designated routes, including the designation of new routes, to recognize the ever changing landscape of thebeaches due to natural events and visitor use patterns.
ORV use during the village winter season; the dates forwinter season should not be fixed by the Rule but rather be cooperatively determined annuallyby the Superintendent, the NCDOT, Dare County officials and Hyde County officials.
(c) (12) Night Driving Restrictions.This is a restriction based on supposition rather than science and should not be included.Never was there areported incident of a turtle death, caused by a vehicle, until 2010 with night driving restrictions already in place
|