Write Congress

Your Voice is Important. The grassroots effort to preserve beach access needs people everywhere to write Congress. A letter to your elected officials in Washington, D.C. will help regardless of where you live in the United States. A sample letter and easy instructions are listed below.

Legislation that would set aside the consent decree needs the support of Senators & Representatives from every Congressional District. As federal property, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area is ultimately controlled by Congress and belongs to all American taxpayers.

Instructions

1. Highlight text of sample letter, then copy it (Control + C)
2. Click link below to select your Representative or Senator
3. Paste letter in the message space provided (Control + V)

To write your REPRESENTATIVE: Click Here
To write your U.S. SENATORS: Click Here

You can also telephone your Senator or Representative
through the main Congressional switchboard 202-224-3121

 

 

Sample Letter

Dear Senator/Representative:

I am writing to you today because my family enjoys recreation in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.  I support H.R. 718 and S.1557 which would reinstate the National Park Service "Interim Management Strategy", pending the issuance of a long-term management plan, for America’s first National Seashore, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where recreational access was promised in the enabling legislation.

People throughout America have a tradition of traveling to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area for family activities.  These include fishing, surfing, swimming, bird watching, beachcombing, kiteboarding, horseback riding and others.  For many disabled Americans, responsible beach access is the only way to safely enjoy the ocean and recreational activities.

Currently the area is in the wake of a consent decree that restricts public access to prime locations in many parts of this recreational area.  The consent decree is the result of a lawsuit filed against the National Park Service by special interest groups which has hurt area residents, visitors and businesses.

H.R. 718 and S.1557 would reinstate the National Park Service Interim Management Strategy that had an Environmental Assessment under NEPA and was subject to the public process. The Interim Plan also had a biological review by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, an ESA Section 7 consultation, and a public comment period. The Provisions of the consent decree were never subject to these reviews.

The Interim Plan does not remove protection for shorebirds and sea turtles. Instead it gives the National Park Service flexibility to adjust buffers based on bird behavior. It provides reasonable access to the recreational area and will help the area's tourism-based economy.

I would appreciate your support of H.R. 718 and S.1557. Thank you for your efforts to preserve access to America’s beaches for responsible family recreational activities.

Sincerely,