Happy New Year - we hope
Thursday 29 December 2011 at 5:16 pm.
Island Free Press photographer Don Bowers did a great job of looking back on 2011 in his photos.
You can find his essay and slide show, “2011: The photos of the year,” on the Features Page.
He is correct that 2011 will be defined by Hurricane Irene, which came ashore south of Hatteras and Ocracoke on Aug. 27, 2011 and beat up the islands for almost a full day.
Storm surge from the Pamlico Sound brought serious damage and destruction to the villages of Avon, Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. Many islanders lost their homes and possessions.
Two inlets cut by the hurricane, one in north Rodanthe and one on Pea Island, severed Highway 12. For six weeks, residents were dependent on emergency ferries from Rodanthe to Stumpy Point. And for the first few weeks that visitors were allowed on the island, they had to come from the mainland by ferry to Ocracoke and then take a ferry to Hatteras, where only the southern villages were open to tourists.
Many more islanders lost their jobs and incomes just before the important Labor Day holiday. Many businesses were closed for weeks, and many others just did not reopen. Some will reopen in the spring, but some probably will not.
It will be a long winter for many struggling island families and businesses until a new tourist season starts gearing up in March.
Many residents and visitors have been most generous in their donations to the Island Food Pantries and the Cape Hatteras United Methodist Men’s Emergency Fund, but we need to keep those donations coming through the winter.
It will be many years before the islands fully recover economically from Hurricane Irene.
We hope that we will see a strong beginning to that recovery in 2012. We hope that our friends and neighbors repair their homes, replace their belongings, and get back on their feet financially.
However, even if we escape winter’s northeasters and summer’s hurricanes in 2012, we face unprecedented challenges to our island economy and lifestyle next year.
And, unfortunately, much of it is the result of unwanted and unneeded meddling in our lives by outside environmental organizations and unfriendly recreational fishing groups.
At the top of the list of challenges for 2012 will be the National Park Service’s final ORV rule and management plan, which is expected to be implemented no later than Feb. 15.
The last four years have seen unprecedented closures of beaches to protect nesting birds and turtles as a result of a court-agreed-to consent decree that settled a lawsuit against the Park Service by Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Those closures, especially the closure of the points and spits from early spring until late summer, have already taken a toll on the island economy, especially for tackle shops, motels, and campgrounds.
Come Feb. 15, there will be even more rules, regulations, and closures – along with having to pay to drive on the beach.
On Feb. 15 or shortly thereafter, the Park Service will begin selling weekly and annual permits for off-road vehicles on the beach. The cost has not been determined yet, the NPS says, but there are more details about the permits in my Dec. 15 blog.
The Park Service claims that these changes will not adversely affect the economy of Hatteras or Ocracoke. This is just plain not true. It will affect our economy, but no one is sure how much or for how long.
In a way, that thought is even more unsettling than having to deal with another hurricane season in 2012.
Also in 2012, we may see some action in another lawsuit brought by our friends at Defenders of Wildlife – this time with the National Wildlife Refuge Association – and again represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center.
The groups sued the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration in July to stop construction of the planned 2.7-mile, “short” Bonner Bridge project for a replacement parallel to the current span.
The environmental groups contend that a previously-proposed 17.5-mile bridge that bypasses Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was not properly studied as a feasible alternative.
In October, Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Corporation filed a motion to intervene in the action and joined with defendants because of the adverse effect the long bridge would have on electric rates on Hatteras.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Chief Judge Louise Wood Flanigan in New Bern.
Not much but administrative filings happened in the lawsuit this year, and in 2012 the case will proceed, though not quickly. More filings by the parties are expected with deadlines that range from Jan. 31 to Aug. 6.
Sometime after that date, the judge will make a decision based on the administrative record.
Currently, construction of the bridge is expected to begin by late 2012, with the targeted opening date in early 2015.
And you can bet that the same environmental groups are keeping a close eye on what the NCDOT decides about long-term solutions to the problems on Highway 12 between Rodanthe and the Bonner Bridge.
NCDOT said this month that it expects to have a final recommendation for Gov. Beverly Perdue this winter, perhaps by the end of January.
Is there another lawsuit down the road, so to speak?
Also in 2012, the attack on our commercial watermen will continue by so-called “conservation” groups.
The North Carolina General Assembly’s Marine Fisheries Study Committee will have its first meeting of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 5, in Raleigh.
On the table will be another attempt to give gamefish status to red drum, spotted sea trout, and striped bass.
A bill introduced last March stipulated that the three fish can be caught only by hook-and-line and only by recreational fishermen. A similar effort was made in 2009. Both efforts died in committee.
Backed by recreational fishing groups, such as the Coastal Conservation Association, the action would mean that the three fish would be off-limits to commercial fishermen and could not be bought, sold, or traded. They would no longer be available in fish markets or restaurants.
If you want to eat one of these fish, you would have to catch it yourself or forget it.
That means that those of us who don’t own a boat, can’t afford to charter one, don’t have the equipment and skill to surf fish, or just don’t want to catch them ourselves won’t be eating red drum, striped bass, or speckled trout.
The reason for gamefish status? The “conservation” groups say that recreational fishing is more valuable to the state’s economy than is commercial fishing.
You can read more about it in my blog from last March, “Killing fish for fun instead of food – Part II.”
On a brighter note, maybe the Hatteras Island Ocean Center, a fishing pier and educational complex planned for Hatteras village, will move forward in 2012.
That would be a great boost to the Hatteras economy.
So, happy new year.
eigthteen comments
"Local punks" have nothing to gain by burning down NPS structures MORON. Ask yourself who gains each time this vandulism takes place? It surely isn’t locals!
M. B. Williams - 30-12-’11 18:15
Yankee,
Yes, the permit system is “SO Wrong” for several reasons. Read the responses to the last blog. They were stated over and over. I’m a 60 year old Virginian who has been spending about $2500 / year for a delightful week in Hatteras for the last 20 years or so. I’m not a local, but I have consistently and gladly supported your economy. I’m not able to walk long distances on the beach anymore, so driving there was a real plus. Still would be, but the combination of NPS jack-boots, their idiotic and unpredictable beach closures, the killing of animals by the NPS who are not fortunate enough to be “plovers”, the declining businesses, and now these fees. No, I will not, even grudgingly, pay whatever the NPS decides to charge. We are losing a treasure here and it hurts. But there is much more to be seen in our remaining years. New visitors may well have no problem paying the fees as they will never know how good it used to be. I hope for the residents sake, that that is indeed the case. Good luck and Godspeed Hatteras.
the recent fires are probably related to a rash of other fires that have been happening on and off over the past few years in buxton and not all properties that were burned were park structures. my guess………the same core of bored youths with nothing to do but be stupid
bbc - 30-12-’11 21:29
Sick and tired of hearing the “blame” go on the locals. It’s interesting that no one has ever been caught vandalizing the beach enclosures. I’d bet the “dark side” is to blame. The sea turtle, that was run over in Ocracoke, was an inside job! Too perfect of a photo.
sick of it - 31-12-’11 08:14
dude, i don’t think the island will be dead, its just going to change its demographic. You will see more mcmasions and eco-tourism trade develop. The new rules and regulations are designed to push out the low income visitors and fisherman. In 10 years it won’t be known as a fishing village. Though, you will see displays and stories about how the area was known to be a fishing village, but the NPS/DOI won’t admit they changed it.
idontthinkso - 02-01-’12 12:54
no new Oregon inlet bridge is going to be built due to eco’s lawsuits. Ferry only to the island. Look how the homes in the north end of Rodanthe have been left to rot as there is no road. NPS and eco’s will never let anything be rebuilt. less and less visitors, fewer and fewer local business. Okracoke will go first, the Hatteras Island.
by 2022, it will look like Portsmith, book it, done
dude - 03-01-’12 11:53
Personally, I love going to Portsmith! Great fishing and no crowds. No coffee shops, no t-shirt stores and no streets.
Pretty much just folks who want to fish.
One of my favorite places.
Rebecca
Rebecca - 03-01-’12 15:35
Yep, it’s all about you Rebecca. I’m sure the residents and businesses on Portsmith island appreciate your visits.
dude - 03-01-’12 16:52
Hawk,
So sorry, I live here. Not going anywhere.
dude, it’s “Portsmouth”, learn to spell if you’d like to be taken seriously. And as Dare County goes, so goes NC: we provide a good bit of the $$ that makes this state function. If they wanted us to go down, why was there such a push to fix Hwy 12?? Show them the money, that’s why.
To all those who are crying ‘we won’t be back’, I guess you don’t love these Islands as much as you claim. No big loss.
And I am NOT blaming the locals for the fires. I’m blaming a couple of punks who must live here, like bbc says, and have nothing better to do. To say the Park Service burned their own structures to make us look bad is ludicrous: time to re-fold your aluminum hats and get back on your meds…
ah the old “can’t beat his argument so I will make fun of misspelling” defense. Let me guess your one of the “locals” who will now be able to rent there ocean front house for a lot more money because of reduced access. Any unless your family has been down island for more the 5 generations you aint no local, you’re just a yankee
dude - 03-01-’12 23:20
Ah, the old “can’t beat her argument so I will make fun of where she was born” defense. I’m quite aware that I don’t qualify as a ‘local’, hence the avatar. And no, I don’t own any rental property: my place is as far from the water as you can get around here. Any other snide comments?
dam Yankee (Email ) - 04-01-’12 09:40
Dude wrote, "Look how the homes in the north end of Rodanthe have been left to rot as there is no road."
Those houses are not rotting due to lack of a road. The houses and all of their surrounding infrastructure were nearly obliterated in the hurricane. I don’t think anyone quite knows how to handle that area right now.
The damage has nothing to do with environmentalism or lawsuits.
anon - 04-01-’12 09:56
Dam!,Dam…no snide comments.I really don’t like the pissin’ matches we get into among ourselves.They serve no positive purpose and erode our“foundation”.I’m looking to buy there and “really” retire there,myself…maybe we’ll be neighbors.Since the island is sinking I prefer the high ground also.
Hawk Hawkins (Email ) - 06-01-’12 16:26
No worries, Hawk, I don’t much like it either, but I stand up for myself when it’s warranted. I welcome any and all neighbors who have a true love for the Islands…and you are absolutely correct, it’s so important for us all to stick together!
dam Yankee (Email ) - 08-01-’12 17:47
I have been coming to the OBX since the late 60’s to surf and fish and enjoy the beauty of the beaches. I have even bought a house in Kill Devil Hills and pay NC taxes and I am a Life member of the NCBBA and a member of OBPA . I live in VA but my Heart is in the OBX. The new rules and Fees are wrong. They will hurt the LOCALS whose business’es I SUPPORT . I agree there are a few who abuse the beaches AND NPS should enforce the rules that are currently in place. This will weed out some of the yahoos but THE FEE it will hurt the economy which is already weak. WE THE PEOPLE OWN THIS PARK AND PAY THE SALARIES OF THE PARK EMPLOYEES. IT WAS DESIGNATED A NATIONAL RECREACREATION AREA BY CONGRESS NOT A WILDLIFE PRESERVE. SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN A CORRUPT JUDGE AND A SMALL GROUP CAN SHUT EVERTHING DOWN.
GWEBER - 22-01-’12 20:01
I guess what we need is a lawyer, with no ties to either the Islands or the enviros…tough to find, even tougher to hire since all the businesses have no money left to fight or contribute. What about the fact that neither the guests nor the locals will be able to wet a line without waiting in line for the 7 minute video on a Saturday in a hot, overcrowded trailer-type structure?….I certainly hope common sense at least prevails in having the permit process available online. As Irene stated in a previous blog, the technology certainly exists for folks to see, pay, and receive their permit online. I’m all for keeping the morons off the beach, but 99.9% of the people out there: !) Know how to drive on the beach; 2) Have no interest in waiting in a huge line to get a permit which lets them do what they’ve already been doing for decades; 3) Have less than zero interest in increasing the power and authority of the NPS which nobody has any respect for anymore. I’m all for the permit plan. Maybe locals shouldn’t have to pay as much as guests, but then again, it’s a 99.9% certainty that it’s local punks who’ve been burning down the NPS structures…CUT IT OUT, MORONS!!!!! Do you seriously think these fraternity pranks are going to prevail? You’re going up against the US GOVT!!! Many beaches have had these types of rules in place for decades…has Cape Cod become a ghost town? No, they just have fewer punks driving around on the sand plastered. This is a good thing on many levels. Seriously, so long as the permit is not a major hassle to obtain, most of our guests will grudgingly pay whatever NPS decides to charge. Is it SO Wrong??? Maybe so, folks, but it is what it is. Give us the chance to do the right thing and I think 99.9% of us will do it. The other 0.1% should pay fines out the wahzoo each and every time they are caught. Send that money straight to HATTERAS ISLAND FOOD PANTRY!!! I think NPS has enough budget to be going along with. May the New Year be blessed with NO hurricanes and smiling happy people from Memorial day to Labor Day and beyond!
dam Yankee (Email ) - 30-12-’11 00:17