Legal
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Date Filed: 10/18/2007
Case Status: Closed
Defenders of Wildlife v. National Park Service
Lawsuit to compel the National Park Service to manage beach driving responsibly at Cape Hatteras National Seashore to protect the threatened piping plover, threatened and endangered sea turtles, other species of waterbirds and shorebirds, and their habitat.
In January 2012, the National Park Service issued a final rule regulating off-road vehicle use at Cape Hatteras. The rule contains important protections for nesting shorebirds and sea turtles. The rule designates specific areas of the seashore for ORV use, subject to resource protection needs, while setting aside other areas for a more natural pedestrian experience. For the first time at Cape Hatteras, the rule requires ORV users to obtain a permit to drive on the beach.
Related Documents:
Final EIS
Press Release: Senators re-introduce bill (8/11/2009)
Press Release: Federal Judge Approves Agreement (4/30/2008)
Press Release: Beach Driving Negotiations Successful (4/16/2008)
Consent Decree
Consent Decree Fact Sheet
Memo for Preliminary Injunction
Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Five Things You Should Know about Beach Driving at Cape Hatteras
Co-filers:
National Audubon Society, Southern Environmental Law Center