Jones Takes Action to Preserve Taxpayers’ Access to Cape Lookout | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    GREENVILLE, NC     Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is raising strong objections to the National Park Service's push for unprecedented new restrictions on public access to Cape Lookout National Seashore. The Park Service's preferred alternative for a new rule governing off-road vehicle (ORV) use at the seashore would, among other things, impose an $80 fee for a short term permit to take a vehicle to Cape Lookout, place restrictions on nighttime driving, and implement seasonal bans on motorized access to certain areas. The Park Service's proposal comes at a bad time for local business owners. The number of annual visitors to the seashore has already decreased by over 100,000 since 2010, leading to millions of dollars in lost revenue and hundreds of jobs lost in the area.

    "The National Park Service's plan is a 'solution' in search of a problem that does not exist" said Congressman Jones. "There is absolutely no need for more restrictions. The Park Service's existing ORV management strategy is serving its purpose. As I understand it, there have been no recorded deaths or injuries of sea turtles, shorebirds or other protected species at the seashore as a result of ORVs, day or night. In fact, over the past several years the number of sea turtle nests at the seashore has steadily increased, and the number of piping plovers, red knots, American oystercatchers and least terns have all improved as well.

    "The economic impact of new restrictions would devastate the communities that serve the seashore," continued Congressman Jones. "Fewer people will visit, the local economy will suffer and more jobs will be lost. It just doesn't make sense. Taxpayers have a right to access the recreational areas they own and pay for, and I will continue to fight to preserve that right."

    Congressman Jones' letter to the Park Service outlining his objections can be found here.

    Maria Jeffrey
      Communications Director

    Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)

     2333 Rayburn House Office Building
     Washington, DC 20515

     Maria.Jeffrey@mail.house.gov  •  (202) 225-3415is absolutely senility.