Any ideas are welcome,from those that drive obx

[Drumdum]

Copied and pasted from RDT. ANY constructive suggestions or ideas are welcome..
Hello,

In conversations with Patricia Hooks, Wally Hibbard, and Phil Francis our community has been asked to help. We are looking for ideas and thought processes on how to help lower our impact in driving close to or around bird enclosures. The enviros charge that we are driving with no responsibility and so on. Of course I disagree with this thought but I do want to help the Park Service and the birds.

I know that we stay away from enclosures and do not run over chicks. How about someone starting a responsible thread and let's see if we can come up with a list of suggestions and I mean real ones which will help develope into a process where we begin to educate all who drive on the beach that the birds and conservation are keys to our being able to drive on the beaches in the corridors so placed for us.

What does make me mad about the bird watchers is that it is them who are always tight up against the enclosures with their cameras and spotting scopes, always in the closest tracks to a bird closure yet it is someone else who drives over a chick according to them. I wish they would pay more attention to where they drive and drive close to the high tide line like we do.

Give me some good ideas to give to NPS.

Thanks,

Bob Eakes

[Big EL]

Permits will not work.......for the forseeable future.

There are currently plenty of rules...regulations....and laws in place to protect the seashore and "all" it's inhabitants.

The problem as I see it is selective inforcement. You have to step back and look at the whole picture.

Why doesn't the NPS inforce more vigorously the rules and laws that govern ORV use of the seashore?

The NPS performs thier duties based on directives from "higher ups" just as any other Government agency does.

Think of all the questions that we've asked ourselves on this subject that began with Why??......................................................................................................................................................................................

Down in the trenchs (Cape Hatteras National Seashore) the Rangers are forced to follow directives that place them squarely in the middle between those who want unrestricted ORV use of the seashore and those who would like to see all ORV use banned. In the government there is no room for individual opinon. Follow the trail up the ladder and you'll see that even the "higher ups" are in the same position as the local ranger.

What can the NPS do to lessen the pressure being placed on them. Simple.....Do as little as possible to satisfy either side...Stay neutral, in the middle, be careful not to be seen as showing preference or favoritism to either side. Do a little bit for this group and a little bit for that group but most importantly try to maintain balance.

Permits...or...throwing money at the problem, has never proven to be a solution.

Whats needed is inforcement of the rules and regulations that are already in place.

Whats needed is adherence to a deal that was made in 1953.

My intention is not to offend anyone here but the government in large part is made up people locked into a job that discourages individual thought.. meaning that federal, state and local "officials" are just trying to ease through, get thier 30 years in and retire. I used to be a soldier and the last thing any of us wanted to do was rock the boat. Follow orders keep your head down and keep your mouth shut is the unspoken rule when you hold a government position.

I'm tired of hearing that there's not enough money for proper inforcement of the rules.

How many people were on the point this weekend? 300...600...1000? how many times did you see a ranger?

Every summer there are "seasonal closures", this should better concentrate the available resources for patrol and inforcement of the rules that govern the seashore. How many times last summer did you see a ranger making his presence known "on the beach"? Other than when they were establishing a new wildlife inclosure.

There needs to be a balance struck between all people who enjoy the national seashore. There will always be extremist on both sides who cry foul everytime something doesn't go thier way. This country's path has always been determined by majority rule and the majority of the people who love and enjoy the national seashore respect all aspects of it. The majority of fishermen and women who frequent the Outer Banks take great care not to disturb or destroy that which continues to draw us back again and again....the beauty and the bounty of nature. I'm certain that the majority of the other groups concerned about the future of the Outer Banks feel the same way.

There always has been and always will be that small group of individuals that show complete disreguard for rules that have been agreed to and accepted by the majority. It is an element that helped form this country in the first place.

When people break the law concerned citizens get involved and call the proper authorites. That is our duty!

Calling for permits does not release us from that duty.

Rugged individualism is the backbone principle in the success of this nation. Putting our "faith" in the government and waiting on them to come up with a solution will only cause more problems.

><))))*>

[Drumdum]

Defenders of Wildlife
May 18, 2005
Contacts:


Brad DeVries 202-772-0237
Deborah Bagocius 202-772-0239




DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE CALLS ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PROTECT ENDANGERED BIRDS BY LIMITING OFF ROAD VEHICLE USE ON CAPE HATTERAS SEASHORE

Use of Off-Road Vehicles Violates Protections under the Endangered
Species Act, Other Federal Laws & Executive Orders

Washington, DC - Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to limit the extensive use of off road vehicles on areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore because the practice is damaging the habitat of imperiled birds and as a result, is in direct violation of the
Endangered Species Act and other federal laws. The organization issued a 60-day notice of intent to file a civil suit if the violations are not significantly rectified within that time frame.

"Off road vehicle use is clearly jeopardizing recovery efforts for a number of imperiled species who rely on the habitat of Cape Hatteras' seashore," stated Jason Rylander, Staff Attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. "More troubling is the fact that the Park Service has ignored the damage these vehicles are causing to North Carolina's wildlife."

According to the letter Defenders sent today, the National Park Service is in violation of two presidential executive orders, the Park Service's own regulations, and four federal laws: the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act. The use of off-road vehicles adversely affects listed species including the threatened piping plover.

The letter points out that the National Park Service has not only "plainly failed to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service or develop an effective program to conserve piping plovers, but its actions are actually undermining the species' conservation and recovery." The letter also notes that the National Park Service is making ad hoc decisions that are threatening migratory birds on a daily basis.

"The National Park Service is charged with protecting and preserving some of our nation's most vulnerable wilderness areas. It's clear that the caretakers of Cape Hatteras National Seashore are defying that charge and contributing to the destruction of pristine habitat," added Rylander.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established in 1953 as the nation's first national seashore. With over 70 miles of shoreline, it is one of the longest protected barrier island systems on the East Coast. It is also home to thousands of migratory waterfowl and to several animal and plant species that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act such as the leatherback turtle, green sea turtle, and the seabeach amaranth. Rare or declining seabirds also inhabit the area. Those include the black skimmer, common tern, least tern and American oystercatcher, to name a few.

###

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 480,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species
issues.

With adversaries such as this,Big El,money WILL have to be "thrown" at the problem Like it or not,the "middle class" fisherman,along with the $ sized fisherman have to ban together with thier $ to block this or we will be mowed over.. ;)

[Drumdum]

ESCORT SERVICE? (http://www.nps.gov/caha/pphtml/newsdetail17950.html)

IMO,this could well be the answer to "working with park service" and help put a stop to some violations that have occured in the past,to anger them.. :)

[Cdog]

ESCORT SERVICE? (http://www.nps.gov/caha/pphtml/newsdetail17950.html)

IMO,this could well be the answer to "working with park service" and help put a stop to some violations that have occured in the past,to anger them.. :)
Well its certainly better than a full closure....

As to the above post, those guys are well organized and scarey... :(

[Drumdum]

As to the above post, those guys are well organized and scarey... :(

This is a post from our friend,Flathead..

A brief look at the adversary:

1- 57 years as an organization,

2- 23 member board representing 13 states,

3- 14 members of the Scientific Board of Advisors,all of which have Doctorate degrees,

4- 11 legal advisors,

5- $30,000,000 in assets,

6- $17,000,000 in contributions in 2004 alone,

7- numerous legal victories on behalf of endangered species not to mention that they are the ones who have successfully either halted or delayed the construction of the Naval air base in NC,

8- 480,000 members

And,they're new Executive VP is Jamie Clark,former Director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife under Mr. Clinton.


CDOG This is beyond scary,these folks are on a mission,and we just happen to be in thier way... IF we do not organize and get all folks on the same page,as I really believe "US" to be in the majority,we will be "mowed down"!! :mad:

[the rhondel]

Ah shucks...tha British were organized and well financed......we just need some imagination and perseverance ;) ...the R

[fish militia]

This is great ..aint it..480,000 people helping to make decisions that don't impact their economy..

I may start my own non profit orginazation...

DEFENDERS OF A WAY OF A LIFE...

[Dyhard]

It all started when they got the power to put up "KEEP OUT" signs on certain areas. Now they will just keep moving the signs closer and closer to the road. Then the birds will own OBX.