Jones Joins 'Fight For Cape Lookout' Against Park Service Directive | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    WASHINGTON, DC     Today, Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) joined local citizens' group 'Fight For Cape Lookout' in pushing back on the National Park Service's draft Director's Order #100, a proposal that could have far-reaching implications for park management in Eastern North Carolina and across the country. In a letter sent to Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, Jones requested a 60-day extension of the public comment period on the proposed draft; consideration of Fight for Cape Lookout's comments on the draft; and ultimately, a recension of the Director's Order #100. The Park Service's original 30-day comment period on the order is scheduled to close today.

    Text of Congressman Jones' letter to Director Jarvis follows below:

• "I am writing to request a 60-day extension of the public comment period on the draft Director's Order #100. As you know, this proposed directive has far-reaching implications for park management. As such, it is inappropriate for the Park Service to provide the taxpaying public, who stand to be most affected by these changes, with only 30 days to review and comment. That is particularly true when that 30 days coincided with the height of the electoral season, where the public's attention was rightly focused on the choices they faced in the voting booth at the national, state and local level.
• I also write in strong support of the comments filed by Todd Roessler on behalf of Fight for Cape Lookout - a coalition of small business owners, fishermen and citizens concerned about public access at Cape Lookout National Seashore. I have attached a copy of those comments for your review. Mr. Roessler spells out how the draft directive is inconsistent with the laws passed by Congress that govern park management, as well as the Park Service's own policies. Furthermore, the directive is likely to be used to impose significant restrictions on taxpaying Americans' access to the national parks they pay for and enjoy. That is unacceptable, particularly when done by administrative fiat. I urge you to give these comments every consideration, and I join Mr. Roessler in calling for the directive to be rescinded."

    Click for the letters from Congressman Jones and Fight for Cape Lookout.

    For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones' office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov.