latest on Beach access in Dare County

[TriAngler]

Beach Driving Negotiations Stall



Dare County, the National Park Service, Defenders of Wildlife, and the
National Audubon Society were unable to reach an agreement this week on
parameters for beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational
Seashore.



Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society are Plaintiffs in a
lawsuit for a preliminary injunction that would prohibit beach driving in
the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore. Last week Judge Terrence
Boyle continued the hearing to allow time to finalize a settlement known as
a "consent agreement" between the parties.



Negotiations went into the evening on Wednesday, and lawyers for all sides
had reached agreement on parameters for a resolution to present to their
respective clients. They had agreed on buffers for nesting birds that would
create opportunities for recreational access. Those buffers may have caused
closures depending on the movement of the birds, but the opportunity for
access would still be available.



On Thursday when the two sides met to finalize the details of the agreement,
it became clear the Plaintiffs were not willing to agree to the terms
discussed in previous meetings. The National Audubon Society and Defenders
of Wildlife expanded the size of buffers they were willing to accept to a
size that would effectively eliminate opportunities for access and
eliminated 5 of the 6 areas of concern from consideration.



Since the changes proposed by the Plaintiffs on Thursday evening essentially
eliminated opportunities for access, Dare County and the other Intervenors
could not agree to those terms. Talks toward an agreement were terminated,
and a date for a hearing has not been set.

[30' PURSUIT]

TREE HUGGERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!