OBPA/CHAPA PRESS RELEASE

[derf]

Looks like we might have won the first battle :
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: contact@obpa.org
NOVEMBER 5, 2004


JUDGE AFFIRMS OUTER BANKS FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST A BIRD


BUXTON, NC – The Outer Banks Preservation Association (OBPA) applauded a major milestone today in its effort to keep the Cape Hatteras National Seashore open to responsible vehicle use by its communities and tourists. Today's announcement comes as the Federal District Court in Washington DC ruled in the group's favor earlier this week in its lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. With the court's decision, OBPA successfully stopped the Fish and Wildlife Service from restricting access to beaches along the North Carolina coast to protect a small bird, the piping plover, under the Endangered Species Act.

"This is a tremendous victory for the people of North Carolina and all those who visit our great state every year to enjoy our beautiful beaches," said John Couch, OBPA president. "The court rightfully found that the federal government had overstepped its reach and threatened the economic and cultural way of life along the Outer Banks."

Over the past year, the OBPA has gathered volumes of data and information proving motorized vehicles can be operated in a responsible manner without damaging the natural resources of the Outer Banks. The group filed suit against the U.S. Department of Interior in February 2003 to stop the government's heavy handed tactics to declare more than 3,000 acres of shoreline as "critical habitat" for the piping plover. This designation empowered the Fish and Wildlife Service with additional and broad authority to restrict beach access. The judge recognized that this would have a devastating impact on the tourism and fishing industry. As noted by Couch, "any closure of the shoreline to recreational access would cause more than 30% of the economy of the Hatteras coastal communities to suffer a lethal blow."

Couch added, "For more than 30 years we have successfully maintained a delicate balance between economic and environmental stability along the Outer Banks. The government's recent action threatened to destroy that balance in favor of a small bird. Our shoreline is renowned for its natural beauty including all wildlife great and small. Though a reasoned approach is the only way we can continue to maintain that balance."

The Cape Hatteras Preservation Alliance was represented in the case by Lawrence R. Liebesman and Rafe Petersen at Holland & Knight (202-955-3000).

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"Preserve & Protect......NOT PROHIBIT"

[Critter Gitter]

Thanks for update.

[derf]

derf

[steve andrews]

It is hard to believe that a common sense decision can sometimes come from our legal system, that is good news.
Everyone that fishes the OBX should become a member of OBPA, it is a very small fee $5.00 and for an additional $10 you get one of those cool license plates.