Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Difference between revisions

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Recent deletions of "Recreational Area" and the legitimate "United States Code" reference (in the text), are considered biased attempts to squash CHNSRA's factual name, and the name's purpose.
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{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Cape Hatteras National Seashore
| name = Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area
| iucn_category = V
| iucn_category = V
| map = USA relief
| map = USA relief
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| governing_body = [[National Park Service]]
| governing_body = [[National Park Service]]
}}
}}
[[File:CapeHatterasNationalSeashore.JPG|thumb|Cape Hatteras National Seashore Welcome Sign, [[NC 12]], June 2007]]
[[File:CapeHatterasNationalSeashoreRecreationalArea.JPG|thumb|Cape Hatteras National Seashore Welcome Sign, [[NC 12]], June 2007]]
'''Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area''' preserves the portion of the [[Outer Banks]] of [[North Carolina]] from [[Bodie Island]] to [[Ocracoke Island]], stretching over {{convert|70|mi|km}}. Included within this section of barrier islands along [[North Carolina Highway 12|N.C. 12]], but outside the [[National Seashore]] boundaries, are [[Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge]] and several communities, such as [[Rodanthe, North Carolina|Rodanthe]], [[Buxton, North Carolina|Buxton]], and [[Ocracoke, North Carolina|Ocracoke]]. Cape Hatteras is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.
'''Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area''' preserves the portion of the [[Outer Banks]] of [[North Carolina]] from [[Bodie Island]] to [[Ocracoke Island]], stretching over {{convert|70|mi|km}}. Included within this section of barrier islands along [[North Carolina Highway 12|N.C. 12]], but outside the [[National Seashore]] boundaries, are [[Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge]] and several communities, such as [[Rodanthe, North Carolina|Rodanthe]], [[Buxton, North Carolina|Buxton]], and [[Ocracoke, North Carolina|Ocracoke]]. Cape Hatteras is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.


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==Administrative history==
==Administrative history==
The National Seashore was authorized, by Congress, on August 11, 1937, and established on January 12, 1953. On June 29, 1940 the portion of the name "National Seashore" was changed, by Congress, to "National Seashore Recreational Area."; however, the park service adopted the short form for most uses in 1954. The park was dedicated on April 24, 1958. The National Seashore Recreational Area is co-managed with two other [[Outer Banks]] parks, [[Wright Brothers National Memorial]] and [[Fort Raleigh National Historic Site]], and is headquartered at Fort Raleigh.
The National Seashore's official name is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, and was established, by Congress, on August 11, 1937; on June 29, 1940 the portion of the name "National Seashore" was changed, by Congress, to "National Seashore Recreational Area" (Title 16, Sec. 459, United States Code). In 1954, due to the official name being lengthy, National Park Service employees were given permission to use the portion of the name "Cape Hatteras National Seashore" for informal uses. The park was dedicated on April 24, 1958. The National Seashore Recreational Area is co-managed with two other [[Outer Banks]] parks, [[Wright Brothers National Memorial]] and [[Fort Raleigh National Historic Site]], and is headquartered at Fort Raleigh.
[[File:Cape Hatteras lighthouse North Carolina.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Cape Hatteras Lighthouse]], prior to its move in 1999]]
[[File:Cape Hatteras lighthouse North Carolina.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Cape Hatteras Lighthouse]], prior to its move in 1999]]


Revision as of 18:16, 7 May 2012

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
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LocationOuter Banks, Dare County & Hyde County, North Carolina, USA
Nearest cityNags Head, North Carolina
Area30,319.43 acres (122.6984 km2)
EstablishedJanuary 12, 1953
Visitors2,260,628 (in 2005)
Governing bodyNational Park Service
File:CapeHatterasNationalSeashoreRecreationalArea.JPG
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Welcome Sign, NC 12, June 2007

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area preserves the portion of the Outer Banks of North Carolina from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island, stretching over 70 miles (110 km). Included within this section of barrier islands along N.C. 12, but outside the National Seashore boundaries, are Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and several communities, such as Rodanthe, Buxton, and Ocracoke. Cape Hatteras is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources, and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities.

Once dubbed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" for its treacherous currents, shoals, and storms, Cape Hatteras has a wealth of history relating to shipwrecks, lighthouses, and the US Lifesaving Service. The islands also provide a variety of habitats and are a valuable wintering area for migrating waterfowl. The park's fishing and surfing are considered the best on the East Coast.

Administrative history

The National Seashore's official name is Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, and was established, by Congress, on August 11, 1937; on June 29, 1940 the portion of the name "National Seashore" was changed, by Congress, to "National Seashore Recreational Area" (Title 16, Sec. 459, United States Code). In 1954, due to the official name being lengthy, National Park Service employees were given permission to use the portion of the name "Cape Hatteras National Seashore" for informal uses. The park was dedicated on April 24, 1958. The National Seashore Recreational Area is co-managed with two other Outer Banks parks, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and is headquartered at Fort Raleigh.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, prior to its move in 1999

Closures

In October 2007, Defenders of Wildlife, along with the National Audubon Society, sued the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore for not properly protecting shorebird and sea turtle species that nest on the beaches of the Park.[1]

The Park Service was allegedly not in compliance with an executive order requiring the establishment of policies and procedures regarding off-road vehicle use on the National Seashore, failing to implement management plans to adequately protect the shorebirds and sea turtles nesting in the park. The Defenders of Wildlife showed that the use of off-road vehicles on park lands has degraded the habitat used by the nesting birds, many of which are also federally protected species.[2]

Many of the beaches and beach access points have been placed off limits to off road vehicle[3] use during the months when the birds are nesting. This has become a contentious issue among some residents and users of Hatteras Island as ORV access is considered an important part of regional culture and economics [4], despite the fact that a 2008 study found that only 2.7 - 4% of visitors to the National Seashore are ORV users [5].

The National Park Service has until December 2010 to create a new management plan after ongoing studies are completed. They then have until April 2011 to implement this new plan.

See also

References

Cameron Binkley, The Creation and Establishment of Cape Hatteras National Seashore: The Great Depression through Mission 66. Atlanta: U.S. Department of the Interior, 2007.
The National Parks: Index 2001–2003. Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.
  1. ^ "US Park Service faces suit for failing to manage beach driving on Cape Hatteras National Seashore". Audubon North Carolina.
  2. ^ "NC State University Study Directly Links Beach Driving to Bird Mortality on Hatteras". Audubon North Carolina.
  3. ^ "Beach Driving at Cape Hatteras" (PDF). Defenders of Wildlife.
  4. ^ "ORV Access Environmental Impact Position Statement" (PDF). Coalition for Beach Access.
  5. ^ 6 Industrial Economics, Inc., “Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for the Wintering Piping Plover,” prepared for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Sept. 23, 2008) at 2-12 – 2-13, 2-17

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.


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