obx beach driving settlement details

[pier_man0909]

Does anyone have any KY jelly we can borrow? We are taking it up the ( * )

http://islandfreepress.org/2008Archi...sentDecree.pdf

A negotiation has been agreed upon between the NPS and the environmentalists. The judge has not given the order yet for it to be in effect but there will be a court date soon. It is worse than the injunction they asked for. They got more from this negotiation, which was really more of a "taking", than they asked for in the injunction. The worst part is that this gives the environmentalists the power to manage the seashore with the judge. They ask for a 1000 meter (over half a mile) ORV closure and a 300 meter (almost 1/5 of a mile) pedestrian closure around the chicks. There will also be no pets, kite flying, frisbee throwing, and other similar activities within 1000 meters. They say there "may" at times be a "narrow walking and sunbathing" access corridor, but as long as there is a 300 meter buffer between the corridor and the chicks. The only thing is that I cant think of any areas that meet that requirement off the top of my head so basically, access to these spots will be gone. The walking and sunbathing corridor will also only be daytime accessible. If a buffer violation is witnessed, the buffer zones will increase by 50 meters for the first violation, 100 for the second, and 500 for the 3rd. They are also putting a restriction for driving at night between 10pm and 6am from 5-1 to 11-15. Between 9-16 and 11-15 you may be able to get a permit to drive at night but even then there will be a headlight restriction. There is a lot more involved and apparently they can add stuff later with the judge so it is probably gonna get even worse. The negotiated rulemaking will still go on with a deadline to have the new plan by 12-31-2010. The new plan will void this negotiation. I cant wait until the next negotiated rulemaking committee meeting, it will be interesting to say the least.

[Southern Crush]

This is truely a shame for the area down there. I will be down there next weekend. May have to tow the boat instead of surffishing.

Hope all the locals make it with a large drop in patrons this summer if things keep up.

Good luck

[obxfish]

Oh no, its going to get worse next week! Judge Boyle has not agreed to this settlement, and has given the park service 7 days to answer a few questions for him; such as will there be limits on size and numbers of vehicles, permits, fees, training etc. I imagine by the end of next week the "settlement" would have looked pretty good. The other shoe is getting ready to drop with a BIG thud.