NPS Project Comment Period Open Until August 2nd
The topic was beach access, specifically a "proposal to facilitate additional public beach access." There are twenty-nine possible improvements including 15 parking areas, 5 ORV ramps, and 5 foot paths throughout the park. Six of the projects would be located on Ocracoke:
- ADA boardwalk at/near the north end
- ORV ramp 59.5 at north end
- 5-car parking area at Borrow Pit Road
- ORV ramp 63 at Scrag Cedar Road
- ADA boardwalk at Pony Pens
- ADA boardwalk at Day Use Area (lifeguard beach)
The National Park Service is asking for feedback about these possible improvements. Interested parties can comment online, or by mail.
"We want to know your priorities," said Darrell Echols, who is Cape Hatteras National Seashore's deputy superintendent.
Over 30 Ocracoke residents attended the meeting, and others have sent in comments.
When I raised the question of more better soundside access, Echols said it was something they would consider and would like to hear more about from the community. None of the six projects planned for Ocracoke would improve soundside access for kayaking, clamming, or walking trails, though Echols understands the need, and we looked at a map to talk about where those access points could be.
"We want comments related to these projects, but we want to hear from the public about things we've missed or should consider," he said, listing nature trails, platforms, parking, and soundside access as topics that people had mentioned at the meeting. "We hope that people will take the time to give us feedback."
The Proposal to Facilitate Additional Public Beach Access Environmental Assessment is available for public comment on-line at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/beach_access
Public read-only copies of this document will be available at the NPS Visitor Centers at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Ocracoke, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial; the Dare County Libraries in Hatteras Village, Manteo, and Kill Devil Hills; and the Ocracoke Library. Copies of this document will be available at the scheduled public meetings while supplies last.
Written comments may also be mailed to: Proposal to Facilitate Additional Public Beach Access, c/o Superintendent, Outer Banks Group, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.
Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on August 2, 2013.
