The beginning of the end.....

[Beach Runner]

Hatteras beach drivers will have to pay fee, watch video | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

This includes all of the beach access' from Coquina Beach down to Ocracoke. Can't imagine the lines to watch the mandatory video. I guess my family and I will be fighting the traffic up to Corrolla this summer.

 

[martini]

Thanks for sharing. I'm surprised I haven't heard anything about that on the local news yet.

 

[jirehn]

Thanks for this one, I will think of this on how to come up with.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Its always some new rule out at OBX when it comes to driving on the beach. I love driving out there, but probably not enough to pay 90-150 bucks annually. I mean, shoot, my annual offroad permit here in Oregon is like 11 bucks for 2 years.

 

[Tedstryker]

I read that yesterday on TWs website...sad stuff. I haven't been down that way for a few years...I have been sticking to ramp 4 near the inlet. Guess I should have taken advantage before this permit rule went into action. Bummer.

 

[Beach Runner]

Unfortunately, ramp 4 falls under the permit as well. That's where my family and I usually go too, but not so sure we're going to pay the new fees (taxes). They are supposed to announce the fee schedule tomorrow. At the very least, I wish they'd offer a daily pass for $5-$10. Paying $90-$150 will be hard to swallow when I know we'll only make it down there 6-7 times at the most. The only ramp on the Outer Banks that is NOT affected by the permits is Corolla, north of Kitty Hawk. The problem with Corolla is getting to and from the ramp. A two lane road is the only way to get there, so it's usually very congested and if there happens to be an accident, fa-get-about-it. Hence the reason for being indecisive. I do know that if we decide to pay the fee, I will be making the trip down to apply for the pass and watch the video sometime this winter to avoid the crowds.

 

[Hatteras-surfer]

Very disappointing!

 

[Tedstryker]

No way! I too make it down there about 6-8 times and loved hitting ramp 4 early for good fishing. I guess at the least, I can still park in the little lot in front of that access and drag my gear. I used to live in KDH and hated driving up to corolla - especially during the weekends.

 

[Beach Runner]

The beach can be closed to pedestrians too if there are bird nests in the area! You can use this link (Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Current Interactive Beach Access Map using Google Earth (U.S. National Park Service))to check before you head down though.

 

[DC runner]

Don't look at it as the beginning of the end. Look at it for what it is. Urban sprawl as a result of more people with more **** and more houses and more cars means that we are needing to balance more forcibly protecting the environment.

They could have simply closed off all access, as my scientists and highly educated folks would have wanted to protect the entire area. They didn't. The parks department tries very hard to balance the demands of the animal life the the demands of some usually overally needy US Citizens.

I think they found a good compromise and we should, if you are a true outdoorsman, support ALL efforts to protect the beautiful nature you seek to visit.

People that are too lazy to watch a video and too cheap to pay into a fund to protect that gorgeous habitat probably don't deserve access to it.

 

[Tedstryker]

The beach can be closed to pedestrians too if there are bird nests in the area! You can use this link (Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Current Interactive Beach Access Map using Google Earth (U.S. National Park Service))to check before you head down though.

Goodness! I am going to have to stick to the spots near our house on mp 3 I guess - although I have had some good luck around there! Anyway - thanks for the link...that is helpful.

 

[Beach Runner]

I have been driving on the beaches down there for 20 plus years (surfing and fishing) and have always respected the area i.e. picking up others trash, driving the posted speed limits, etc, etc. I DO have a problem with them overcharging for another fee. Tax dollars paid for the land to be set aside for recreational use. Tax dollars pay for the area to be maintained. And I pay for a license to be able to fish. I understand they need to protect the wildlife in the area and I don't have an issue with that. I realize there are a few bad "apples" that haul-a$$ and drive up in the dunes that spoil it for the rest of us. They honestly do need more park workers to enforce the rules and I agree a fee is not out of the question, but the dollar amounts they've come up with are a little absurd. As I stated above, I would pay for a $5-$10 daily pass, I believe that is reasonable, but they aren't even offering that as an option.

 

[DC runner]

Yea. And I am sure you are not the type of person that they have to do this for. But... you are obviously not the only one driving. Not the only one that they must take into account.

As for the amount of money. Actually, no, it is in line with what other parks charge for off road access. The beach road in Assateague Maryland/VA charges just about that exact amount. So, they are in line with similar circumstances.


If everyone was an awesome, upstanding citizen, who always thought about how their actions impacted others and the environment, we WOULD NEVER need any laws. The reality is... most people are selfish, self interested individuals who don't actually like to think about how their actions affect others.

I get that this is an annoyance.. but honestly, it was supposed to have occurred under legal order in the 1970's. You got 30 years than other areas...

 

[magert54]

Thats sad to hear, Im from Elizabeth City, NC. I have taken the trip to Ocracoke and the rest of the OBX for the past 10 years. I sure am going to miss the free access to the beach, on the other hand maybe the income could benifit the off road community around there for trails and events (hopes and dreams).