Cook Statement on Federal Court of Appeals Ruling on Bonner Bridge Lawsuit | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, August 06, 2014, upheld federal judge Louise Flanagan’s ruling that the N.C. Department of Transportation complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and completed all the proper as well as required steps under the Act to move forward with an environmentally and financially sound option to replace the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge on N.C. Hwy. 12 over Oregon Inlet in the Outer Banks. Below is a statement from Senator Bill Cook (R-District 1):

     “I am extremely pleased and thankful of the Fourth Circuit’s ruling that upholds N.C. DOT’s NEPA permit. This is another step in the right direction to replace the aging Bonner Bridge. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a place of natural beauty. It is the birthplace of America, birthplace of aviation, and a destination for millions of visitors. About 2.4 million visitors travel from all around the world each year to see the outstanding wildlife and environmental beauty of the Outer Banks,” Sen. Bill Cook (R-District 1) said. “This 50 year old bridge needs to be replaced now. I hope the Southern Environmental Law Center will now stop their obstructionist behavior and allow the people of the Outer Banks to have a safe and reliable bridge.”

Contact: Jordan Hennessy
     jordan.hennessy@ncleg.net, •  (252) 619-3606


     300 N. Salisbury Street
     Room 525 • Raleigh, NC 27603

    Phone: (919) 715-8293  •  Fax: (919) 754-3296  •  bill.cook@ncleg.netand was built with much of local resources.