PLEASE SIGN THIS!!!!!!!

Both loggerhead turtles and the population of piping plovers at Cape Hatteras are threatened. Under the Threatened and Endangered Species Act the distinction between threatened and endangered isn't that important, legally they are protected just the same. This is because "threatened" basically means "about to be endangered unless it's protected."

But while I was digging around a little bit I found... TA-DA! The peregrine falcon is found at Cape Hatteras and is endangered. ORV access may not have a great effect on these birds as they don't nest on the ground, on the beach, where ORVs are likely to run them over. But something to keep in mind- access could be a lot worse.

The more info I turn up the more I side with the NPS on this. What can be expected from them? They get sued for allowing beach access detrimental to a threatened species that they are legally required to protect and petitioned by off roaders for not allowing that access. I understand that people want to go play on the beach, if I lived there I would too! At the same time, I believe the bird populations should be protected, at least until they are no longer considered threatened. That means some temporary inconveniences for current users. It really is for the protection of the park so it can be used for recreation (not just off roading but hiking and bird watching and everything else) in the future.

Every time I say "plover" I feel like I'm in a Monty Python movie.

 

Thanks for all the education about the damn birds. But this is not the reason I posted this here. I need people to help us to get the access back to our favorite beach spots, and you sound like a damn Park Ranger. Please encourage people to sign the petition!!!!!! Thanks

 

Go to a different beach.


There, problem solved!

 

When I say Plover I think of stickers like below

Every NPS Ranger I've meet from CA, UT, CO, FL, VA, and NC were really cool and seemed to love there job. Kinda like Marine Police, cool jobs makes for happy people. It's hard to side with them down there because of personal experiences in the last few years down there, they became like robots with these events, like you can't even talk to them because they're trying to get you. WTF? and they do with hefty fines if you're not careful or pay in advance. Never used to be like that and it comes as a surprise for people who have been going there for years.
You see these stickers and ones like it every where down there, some places have signs not allowing NPS on there property I think the stickers and signs like, "Piping Plovers taste like chicken" and "American Terrorist" are a symbol of the youths growing up not liking the NPS and environmental groups, which in turn makes people say WTF. That's the point.

What's really going on down there? Do the people who have lived there for generations not like threatened birds and turtles? Do they not respect the land? Do they not know what's good for the island?

 

I agree with Bethes above -- the problem is not as simple as just getting a petition signed to restore full access for four-wheeler's and let the stupid birds go somewhere else.

In the Pacific Northwest, the same thing is happening on an island, though it has less of an impact on the local economy. Further north, in Alaska, government wildlife agencies have a problem in that they can't legally control one endangered species (killer whale) that is eating another endangered species (sea otter) to the brink of extinction. What do you do when you can't, even as a government official, kill or even scare off a whale but you are legally required to protect the sea otters too?

Also, look at Yellowstone, where snowmobile use has been toned down (pun intended) somewhat both in numbers and by mandating 4-stroke machines. Many snowmobile owners are whining that their "rights' are being violated but to tell you the truth I'd rather go to a place that didn't have a bunch of roaring engines all over the place.

It's not as simple as "sign my petition" and screw the birds and I don't think that the members of TW, who for the most part seem to have their heads screwed on straight, will just blindly sign something without studying the issue first.

Let me ask this: have you obtained an off-road permit and are you severely limited in the enjoyment you obtain by riding in only in the designated areas?

 

Oh, and thanks for the "you're a fucking idiot" comment on my rep...lolllllz.

 

Ok, maybe you missed the point. The whole reason the beach is closed to ORV access is due to the birds. You are 100% interested in people signing this petition, consequences be damned. You pretty much just said you want people to blindly sign.

I think it's a good idea for them to consider why they are signing and if they think the consequences are acceptable. You cannot separate the issues of ORV access and the bird population here. If they see the facts and decide to sign anyway, that's cool. But if a few facts threaten the petition's success it's because the petition wasn't a good idea to begin with.

 

We should sign because we all have Toyota trucks. Duh!

 

I like park rangers.

 

I'm volunteering for the NPS in May - I would like to get a job working for them as a biology/fisheries tech.

 

They should have also set up a day pass. I go down there maybe a week out of a year. Take the kids to the beach meet friends fish cookout all on the beach.

 

We'll have to buck up and pay 50 for a day and find a parking spot on the tiny strip of beach they left us

 

Nah im not going to pay 50 bucks for a day

 

*off

I'll hold the sign.

 

Bring your gloves tender paw, they closing a lota beach

 

FWIW, I do think that is is a shame that they are closing the beach. That being said, I also think that they are likely doing it for a legitimate reason. There is a very strong argument to be made for preserving wildlife. Humans need to realize that the nature is not here to be our bitch and sometimes we have to make little sacrifices for the good of other species. As much as some of you might want to believe, I am sure that the NPS is not doing this just to screw you, or the businesses in that area.

I was kidding about holding the sign...but just in case, I do have several pairs of sturdy gloves.