Frequently Asked Questions
Myths and facts about Off-road Vehicle use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Additional questions and answers:
Why are the conservation groups sponsoring this website concerned about the management of Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina?
Years without adequate management over off-road vehicle use within the national park led to alarming declines among beach-nesting wildlife including rare birds and sea turtles. While people would not willingly harm or kill birds or sea turtles, Cape Hatteras National Seashore had lost step with federal law that requires units of the National Park System to establish guidelines for off-road vehicles (ORVs) that minimize harm to wildlife and natural values of the seashore in accordance with the best available science.
Do conservation groups want to ban vehicles from the Seashore?
No. Our goal continues to be and always has been to work out a solution based on law and science that protects threatened wildlife in balance with the responsible use and enjoyment of the park by all visitors. Everyone deserves a safe space on the national seashore – birds and turtles, as well as anglers, bird watchers, surfers, swimmers and those who just enjoy the serenity of one of the East Coast’s most dramatic areas.
Sanderlings: © Walker Golder
News
In June 2012, Congressman Walter Jones (R, NC-3) and North Carolina Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr have introduced damaging legislation that seeks to overturn the balanced, reasonable and responsible regulation developed by the National Park Service in favor of unlimited off-road vehicles on Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches regardless of other visitors and wildlife. Read about the new legislation here.
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