Seashore finalizes addition of new public access facilities

The National Park Service is ready to move ahead with adding new public access facilities at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Seashore superintendent Barclay Trimble announced today the approval of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Construction of New Development that Facilitates Public Access Environment Assessment (EA).  The FONSI was approved on Nov. 18 by the Southeast Region Office and culminates nearly two years of planning in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The issuance of the FONSI finalizes the Construction of New Development that Facilities Public Access EA, which will develop 29 public access areas that include facilities evaluated in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan/EIS and other facilities identified through agency and public scoping for this EA. 

The new access areas will create or improve 15 parking areas, one paved and two unpaved roads, five off-road vehicle ramps, five foot paths, 11 accessible boardwalks, and the elevation of an existing flood-prone road section. 

These access improvements will facilitate ORV and pedestrian access to areas of the seashore and increase access for visitors with disabilities while minimizing conflicts between a wide variety of recreational users. 

The improved access points will protect the seashore’s natural, cultural, scenic, and aesthetic aspects, as well as address mutual concerns with local communities and governments that expressed concerns about potential safety issues with road shoulder parking along Highway 12.

For more information, click on the following PEPC website link: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?projectID=36714  or call park headquarters at 252-473-2111.