CHNS Proposes New Accessible Hunting Blind and Wildlife Viewing Platform on Bodie Island

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) is planning to construct a new accessible hunting blind and wildlife viewing platform on Bodie Island.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input to help prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze impacts associated with the proposed construction of these facilities.

This project would enhance visitor opportunities by (1) providing an accessible waterfowl hunt blind and a wildlife viewing platform with boardwalk for all visitors; (2) meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s goal to create more hunting and fishing opportunities on federal lands and (3) providing new educational opportunities to learn about migratory shorebirds within a premier estuarine wetland.

A 30-day public scoping period, to solicit comments on social, cultural, and natural resource issues and concerns associated with the development of an accessible boardwalk and hunt blind within three alternative locations, is being conducted prior to the Seashore completing its analysis of the proposal. The public scoping period opens July 27, 2018 and closes August 26, 2018.

A public meeting describing the project will be held Tuesday August 21, from 6-7pm in the Boardroom at the Town of Nags Head building located at 5401 Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC.

Written comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha_accessible_HuntBlind_WildlifeViewing.  Select the “Construction of a New Accessible Hunt Blind/Wildlife Viewing Platform on Bodie Island” link to view the scoping documents.  Comments can also be mailed to: Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.  To ensure your comments are included in this process, they must be entered into PEPC or postmarked by August 26, 2018. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any other way than those specified above. Bulk comments in hard copy or electronic formats submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.