Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Of Tradition, Culture, And A Traditional Way Of Life

I suppose that considering the controversy that has surrounded events here at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area and the fact that our story is finally beginning to reach so many, that one day, perhaps, someone will write a book about these events. I hope we win.

If we were going to tell this story it would be filled with actions by several that have resulted in violation of federal law as well as a host of less than credible assertions made by those that would prefer we loose access to these beaches. And that list is to long for me to repeat here but if you go back to the beginning of this rant, blog, whatever, you'll get a taste of it.

And all this time, these four years and counting, we as a community, visitors and residents, have been insulted repeatedly by the actions of the National Park Service. And no longer do they hide their agenda, the elimination of ORV and significant pedestrian access at the Seashore.

But that's against the law, this is, after all, a recreational area.

1940: Congress amends 16USC459 formally changing the name from Cape Hatteras National Seashore to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area. (in part: “said area shall be, and is, established, dedicated, and set apart as a national seashore recreational area for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and shall be known as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area..”)
There is one aspect of the law that I have only just mentioned before which constitutes yet another example of federal law that NPS is desperately trying to ignore and it's all about tradition and culture. In this case the NPS finds itself n a bit of a quandary because this issue is a bit large to simply ignore and there is that pesky National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that says they cant.

More specifically, I refer to provisions contained within the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and its corresponding relationship with the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

At issue here is something called a TCP or Traditional Cultural Property.

A quick google search will show that there are many types of TCP's which can include historic sites, structures and even ships such as the U.S.S. Constitution for example.
Honestly, I'm not the person to opine upon this subject, Jim Keene, former President of the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association knows this subject and much of what follows will tell the story in his words.

In 2009, a concerted effort was put forth to bring this subject to the attention of NPS and others. This effort has been ignored for the most part though again we find NPS giving minimal lip service to an important issue if only because they had to say something. After all, if NPS were to do the job they are required to do by law, their agenda would fall to pieces at their feet.

Within the efforts put forth for TCP recognition, four areas of the Seashore were specifically mentioned though after learning of the necessary qualifications set forth in the guidelines for TCP establishment, I think the entire Seashore qualifies. In this case, the areas held up for consideration were/are; Bodie Island Spit and Adjoining beaches, Cape Point, Hatteras Inlet, and South Point, Ocracoke and their adjoining beaches as well.

The standards for TCP designation are set forth within the National Park Service National Register Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties. In question relevant to the Seashore is:
Are these areas:
a) components of a rural community whose organization and patterns of land use reflect the cultural traditions valued by its long-term residents; and
b) a location where the communities have traditionally carried out economic and other cultural practices important in maintaining their historic identity.
c) whether these traditions and cultural practices have been extant for more than 50 years making them considered of historic age.


Without further delay, I'll hand the microphone to Jim Keene as he tells it best.

"When the CHNSRA was being established, the director of the National Park Service Conrad Wirth promised Outer Banks residents in a published letter that their communities would always have access to their traditional use beach areas (Blinkley 2007:117). The communities have long viewed this document as a binding social contract.  In the context of Section 106 of the NHPA, the letter clearly underscores that as early as 1952 the federal government recognized the importance of maintaining traditional Outer Banks culture as it relates to federal lands and undertakings. Some 50 years later, traditional elements of Outer Banks life ways are increasing threatened and need protections that the NHPA of 1966 as Amended was specifically designed to afford."

"As TCPs the historic properties in question not only help maintain the traditional identity of Outer Banks communities, but these same communities have been historically shaped by the long standing use of these beach landscapes. Historically, Outer Banks culture has been inextricably tied to the surf zone, and remains so today. The surf zone has traditionally sustained the island economy and culture through commercial fishing, and also by way of recreational fishing and tourism. These latter activities have been ongoing for more than 50 years and are therefore considered to be of historic age. More importantly, the landscapes in question are held in importance by Outer Banks communities in a way that transcends heritage and the traditional economy. Cape Point stands as a defining physical feature of the Outer Banks, which consist of narrow strips of land perched as much 30 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. The other landscapes considered TCPs equally comprise the transitional realm between island home and the sea. As such, the historic properties continue to provide island folk with a profound sense of place and their use helps sustain the collective identity of their communities."

"Importance of Recreational Surf Fishing:

Recreational surf fishing itself, particularly for the iconic red drum has in itself long held a defining place in Outer Banks culture. This sporting pursuit has historically been undertaken by generations of Outer Bank residents and visitors alike, and continues to be of great economic and social importance today. The very fact that non-residents and visitors participate in the traditional use of the historic properties in no way diminishes the cultural and historic value of those properties. In fact the opposite is true. In many ways, Outer Banks culture is resilient, inclusive, and dynamic. Having non-residents participate in aspects of traditional barrier island life is enriching to the public and makes protecting and preserving this cultural resource all the more important. In addition, the portions of the properties remain the focal point for the local surf dory seine net fishery. This economic activity represents a nearly extinct folkway as the CHNSRA In recent historic times, traditional commercial beach fishing has been eclipsed in beaches are one of the very last places in the country in which this traditional commercial fishery is practiced. The 1980 amendments to the NHPA specifically call for protecting and preserving these kinds of cultural activities."


"The historic properties are considered potentially eligible to the NRHP based solely on their constituting TCPs held in cultural importance by Outer Banks communities. However, the same properties should be considered potentially eligible to the NRHP as historic cultural landscapes. Components of these cultural landscapes include dune systems, road traces and dune overpass ramps features that are of historic age. These features were first constructed as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) public works programs. We urge the National Park Service to formally recognize the landscapes as cultural entities and we remain confident that the agency will fully comply with Section 110 of the NHPA of 1966 as Amended and continue to work in good faith to identify evaluate, and manage all cultural resources under its stewardship."

"Much has changed on the Outer Banks since the establishment of CHNSRA. However, it is also remarkable how little has changed in terms of the local cultural landscape and its traditional use. This use is predicated on vehicular access to the surf zone, which supports the traditional local economy as well as being integral to the social and cultural fabric of the Outer Banks communities."

"It should be noted that the maintenance of barrier island culture is largely unique to portions of the North Carolina Outer Banks. Across much of the Eastern Seaboard, traditional barrier island settlement, economic systems, and life ways have been obliterated by a transformation of coastal areas into nothing less than urbanized commercial districts. Other areas, most notably the Virginia Eastern Shore barrier islands have been abandoned to human settlement and use. This entire barrier island chain is in private conservation ownership as a wilderness reserve. The widespread loss of traditional barrier island culture makes preserving the surviving elements of historical Outer Banks life ways absolutely critical."


"In summary portions of the CHNSRA consisting of Bodie Island Spit and Adjoining Beaches, Cape Point and Adjoining Beaches, Hatteras Inlet and Adjoining Beaches; and South Point Ocracoke and Adjoining Beaches are deemed historic properties potentially eligible to the NRHP as TCPs under Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, As Amended. These historic properties and their traditional use have long been, and continue to be, integral to the social and cultural fabric of the Outer Banks. The properties have traditionally sustained the local economy through commercial fishing, recreational fishing, and other beach activities. Recreational surf fishing has also historically become a part of Outer Banks culture. As cultural landscapes, the historic properties provide Outer Banks residents and visitors with sense of place and help to sustain the collective identity of local communities. Therefore, the continued traditional open and socially and environmentally responsible access to these properties is essential to preserving the traditions and maintaining the historic identity of the Outer Banks and its people."

And to sum it up, he also wrote (in part):

"The facts remain that:

1) The properties clearly meet multiple criteria for consideration as TCPs based on the NPS' own published guidelines (National Register Bulletin #38).


2) The NPS formally recognized the traditional cultural importance of open access during the founding of the Seashore.

3) This traditional cultural importance has not diminished since then and it can be argued that it has actually grown.

4) The NPS has long implicitly recognized the traditional cultural importance of open access by its established management practices.

5) The NPS implicitly recognized the traditional cultural importance of beach access through publication of Ethnographic Study of Eight Seashore Villages as well as explicitly recognizing the same in by the data therein. The stated reason for publishing the above voluminous work was in recognition of the existence of traditional communities within the park and to help assesses the impact of the parks' management decisions on these communities.

Now with arguably the greatest single change in Seashore management since its creation, the ethnographic study or the communities' traditional values are not even mentioned in passing. One thing to remember is that the NPS cannot simply ignore the TCP issue.

As the lead federal agency for the federal action (ORV Plan), it is up to the NPS to make the judgment whether Section 106 must be addressed. In essence, these determinations are made by all federal agencies in all federal actions. For example, if Mike Murray changes a light bulb in his office that is a federal action. Is that subject to Section 106 of the NHPA?--of course not--that would be silly. However, if the NPS were to double the size of the Manteo HQ parking lot and add storm water retention ponds but not take into account potential impacts to historic properties (a catch all phrase meaning archaeological resources, architectural resources, historic landscapes and TCPs) then there will be some serious repercussions as federal law has been broken.

The TCP thing falls squarely in the second scenario. If a property has been formally identified as a potential TCP (YES), if that identification meets basic common sense criteria and is not frivolous(YES), the community in question maintains that the property it traditionally important (YES) and if the property meet National Register Bulletin #38 guidelines (YES), then it is up to the federal agency to prove it is not a TCP not the other way around. This could can only be done through the Section 106 consultation process. This has not been done. In fact, the process was never initiated."

Thank you Jim Keene! Excellent information and a great summation.

And for your viewing pleasure, here is an example of a Traditional and Cultural use of Cape Point that predates the 50 year historic age mandate mentioned above, and at 58 years old, also predates the dedication of the Seashore. Robert Doswell, photo.

That is one very neat part of history!

Well I started this post talking about how NPS had blown off the whole TCP thing and once again hung us out to dry.

If you read about TCP designations, you'll see that a lot of the discussion centers around Native American tradition, culture, sites of significance and such but also recognizes other types of places, artifacts, etc.

So as NPS was pushed to consider TCP's at the Seashore, they in effect pulled a fast one in an attempt at brushing this all under the rug. NPS out-rightly ignores all of the historical information contained within even their own documents and instead writes the Native American Tuscarora Nation to see if they attach any traditional or cultural significance to the Seashore.

The reply, as one would expect, was no.

NPS then considered the case closed and therefore not worthy of further consideration. In the process, NPS also ignores it's own guidelines.
"The Guidelines explicitly state that TCP designations are not to be limited to properties held in importance by Native Americans or other minority groups but that Americans of every ethnic origin have properties to which they ascribe traditional cultural value. Further, if such properties meet the National Register criteria, they can and should be nominated for inclusion in the NRHP." (Keene)

So yes folks, once again NPS reveals it's agenda and slaps the visitors and residents of the Seashore squarely in the face.

When you write and call your elected representatives, remember to tell them that the Seashore should be considered as a Traditional Cultural Property by the National Register of Historic Places.

Thanks again for listening!.

Tight Lines,

Wheat

 




Saturday, February 19, 2011

No People Allowed, Coming To A Beach Near You

I have to say, it's a wonderful thing to have a night in February that's warm enough to sleep with the windows open. It's another thing entirely to have two basketball sized raccoons deciding to duke it out on your deck, just outside the bedroom window at 3am. I don't know who won the fray but I could have sold tickets. Round one began on the deck followed by another which proceeded an amazing display of raccoon gymnastics and culminating in an incredibly loud finish on the roof.

Obviously I need to establish a pre-sleeping closure around the house to prevent further disturbance and to avoid allowing these masked balls of teeth and claw from having any considerable adverse impact upon the sleeping humans now known to rest in this area.

Come to think of it, if I did put up a closure, my local landscape would match that which we will soon see all over this island.

By the 15th of March, NPS must complete it's spring erection. As a result, the Islands will become lined with thousands upon thousands of signs, miles of string, and red plastic ribbon; all in declaration of one thing, No People Allowed!

I'm no topographer but I've always had an interest in maps and my eyes are telling me that something like 60% of the Seashore on Hatteras Island will be off limits within three weeks. This comes with a quick preview of the 2011 pre-nesting closure maps released by NPS yesterday. I'm sure within days I'll have a pretty accurate figure as they are already being analyzed.

These closures are astounding. You can see for yourself at:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=358&projectID=13331&documentID=39239

I don't imagine that I need to remind anyone that these closures affect pedestrians and ORV's both.

Nor do I suppose you need reminded that during the so far three years of draconian closures with the corresponding impact on our economy, no appreciable gain has been made by wildlife at the seashore.

Oh we heard all about the record turtle nesting last year. NPS and the environmental crowd were beside themselves as they boasted of their success. Interesting how quiet they became when a combination of NPS management and coastal storms resulted in a loss of almost 50% of the nests.

This should make you mad. This should make you sit down and write a letter to a congressman. Take a few minuets and call them too. And don't let up. Need a little more inspiration?

These miles of signs are amazing. Clearly they are a sub species that has now become accustomed to the Island environment. I say so because they have obviously begun to propagate since every year they grow in large numbers. This increase far outpaces breeding success among plovers, American oyster-catchers, black skimmers..etc.

I don't think anyone has named this species yet so I'm going to take a shot at it with "Hatteras Island Easter Cactus"

I think it's a cactus because cacti are "succulents" and these things sure do suck and from time to time are associated with pricks, also a characteristic of cacti. The Easter part is obvious as the blossom prolifically around that time of year.

To learn more about this species, watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOF5IKdVujQ

So if that wasn't enough to get you fired up, as reported by Irene Nolan in her blog at http://www.islandfreepress.org/ , we might have the pleasure of Boyle and Derb running the Seashore for some time to come.

C'mon everybody, lets count a 2007 IMS that was working which turned into the decree of forced consent which hasn't been working, to a failed negotiated rulemaking joke, to a draft environmental impact statement which didn't include the required economic impact study. Then we get the Final environmental impact study which is an incredible insult to all Americans, then an incredibly flawed economic study.

And now we find out that that there needs to be yet another taxpayer funded environmental study to see if the proposals in the final (FINAL in case you couldn't read it) environmental impact study will impact the environment.

Hi, I'm from the government, I'm here to help, trust me.

Oh, and the fun part is, it's the ORV user who will pay for all of these "improvements" via the new permits. So says Mike Murray.

Wake up Mr. Murray! Your current activity which results in a significant derogation of the mission established for this Seashore by congress is already driving many people from these beaches. Your intended actions will drive away many more. So you might want to re-think your math. I realize the agenda is to destroy the economy down here and eliminate people from the beaches but you're cutting your nose off to spite your face and angering alot of people that insist on being heard. A lot of that going around these days.

I have a better and less expensive proposition. Return the Seashore to pre 2005 management policy until such a time, as stipulated in Carters E.O. 11989, that you can show that access to this Seashore by ORV "either has caused or will cause considerable adverse effects", something we both know, you cant do now.

Though you tout this very E.O. as justification for what you propose, you fail to follow it's stipulations.

Write your letters my friends, make the calls. And while you're at it, check to make sure your dues is paid up for your access organizations membership. If you're not a member, please join us in this fight for free and open access to the nations first National Seashore.

http://www.obpa.org/

http://www.ncbba.org/

Tight Lines,

Wheat

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Page In A History

One of the most enthralling parts of the Islands, something that leaves an indelible mark upon your soul, is bringing someone here for the first time or having the chance to talk on the beach with a first time visitor. They all share one thing in common, a child like awe of what they behold. And as you share what you know of this place, their wonderment grows still.

 And for them, perhaps you, and certainly me, this wonderment, more like magic, never ceases.

If I were to sit here and write a list of the amazing parts of what is the magic of these Islands, I'd be here for a month. Those of you that have visited these beaches once probably know what I mean. Those of you that have been here frequently have no questions; those that have never been here, should endeavour to do so.

The experience that comes with being out on the sand has left virtually every visitor I know in awe at one point or another. Something seemingly shared by all regardless of how many trips out to the beaches one makes. For each of us, the experience is just as unique as the moments that make up the time we spend. Those moments have also fostered a common love among us, for a very special place. In turn, we became a community that has for years worked to care for these beaches, and still does. This common bond has formed many a friendship over the years, and has brought many people together in the fight for free and open access as well.

I'm rather certain that the number of hours that people have donated to the fight for access over the years is incalculable. Even this day, people from across this land will share our story, work for free and open access, and will do it again tomorrow as well.

Some say nothing is being done to combat the evil agenda set before us. I beg to differ. And here's a classic example.

This afternoon I took a dive to Frisco and ended up stopping in at Indian Town Gallery where I spoke to Anne Bowers, owner of same, and Secretary of the Outer Banks Preservation Association. I was curious as to whether she had been one of the businesses interviewed for the RTI study about economic impact to the Islands. (This was recently featured in Irene Nolan's' blog at http://www.islandfreepress.org/  )

What a shock I was in for.

It's one hell of an experience to look a business owner in the eye an have them tell you how far their sales have fallen just in the spring seasons alone because of what has transpired here in the last three years. And in spite of that she makes time to put together the OBPA prize calendar and has donated near a hundred hours of her employees time for access, and counting. Her husband Don, has been working hard at this too, for years.

And that's just one example of many. One example cut from a group of people who have for in some cases, decades, fought the fight for access with their own time, money, and tears.

And that my friends, is a National Park Service nightmare.

But we have a nightmare too. And it's not just the NPS plan, it's the agenda and method that haunt our dreams at night. Maybe thought it's not the agenda we need be concerned with, but the method. After all, the NPS agenda apparent, will require them to violate even more federal law than they have already.

But what if there was nobody but a few to complain about it? What if instead of thousands of voices that in unison decry the violation of this amazing place by NPS, there were but a few?

That would certainly satisfy NPS. They propose to be the BORG like on Star Trek, "you will be assimilated, resistance is futile!"

And as eloquently pointed out by a friend last week, the "method" is all about two things when it comes to NPS dealing with those that know about and are or want to be involved in this issue. And those two things are burn-out and conquer. In short, this is essentially siege warfare. Wear us down, starve our ability to fight, and then divide us amongst ourselves.

Three, with at least a portion of another year of the decree of forced consent has done that. The NPS lackadaisical attitude towards proper procedure and the law has helped that as well.Throw in Derb, Boyle,  Jason (I still wonder if he knows where the Ocean is), and a whole host of other notorious characters to include their endless tripe..together, mixed in perhaps a very large bowl or other vessel; resulting in the makings of one monumental cocktail, which surely tastes as bad as it smells.

And I for one refuse to drink of this putrid concoction and I ask you to turn it aside as well because this cause is well worth fighting for. But this is not like going to a movie per se. When you go to see a film, you plop down your entry fee, get something to eat or drink, and then kick back and watch the show. Other than getting there on time, all of the rest of the work is done, leaving you time to just relax and enjoy which was the whole idea to begin with.

I think the last time I went to a film was when I lived out west for a couple of years. I took my girlfriend and her three kids out for a night at the movie and quickly ran up a tab of near a hundred dollars after tickets, drinks, popcorn and such. That's a chunk of change to walk around on sticky floors and sit for two hours and change to see something you may not like. And to make it more interesting, it's a one shot deal. If you want to see it again, there goes another hundred clams. Or you can wait to see it in another format which though perhaps less expensive and more convenient, is not the same thing as seeing it on the big screen. And that's not unlike the difference between standing on our beaches as opposed looking a some old photos of the sand and sea.

The issue of access is not like going to the movie. We don't get to spend our ten bucks and then kick back to watch the show with our RC cola and Moonpies!

We don't get to do that because the script is being written right in front of our eyes and all of us are the players. And all of us that step upon the stage become authors because we have the chance to influence the outcome of our story. But to do that, you have to leave the audience. You have to get involved.

We're living in a moment of historical significance where changes proposed by NPS will dramatically alter the lives of thousands upon thousands of Americans from all over this nation. Those alterations will destroy an economy, a way of life, and a culture that extends beyond the creation of the Seashore.

So the stage is here and for each of us the question looms as to whether we would rather be standing in the sand, or looking at old pictures, faded memories? Will you climb upon the stage and write this play or not?

I say come on up and join the fray.

There's some work to it but keep in mind, it's gonna make the difference between having a beach or just a bunch of old photos. Personally, I want both.

There are a lot of dedicated people working hard to fight this fight but we need everyone's help. The more people we have on the stage, the better the story becomes. If you need inspiration, go back when I wrote about Anne and Don Bowers. If you know someone that needs inspired, tell them the story and remind them that we need their help. After all, the more of us that take the stage, the more loud our unified voice becomes!

We can do this if we do it together.

Tight Lines,

Wheat

(And by the by, Anne was never asked by RTI about any economic impact to their business.)

Saturday, February 5, 2011

I Think It's Time To Say Hello To Our Friends In Congress

A rainy, windy, 60 degree day here today on the island but a good time to "pen" some thoughts none the less. Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday and it seems as though it could be a great game. I don't have a dog in that fight but I sure hope it's a contest to remember.

It occurred to me that we could settle this issue of access on the field as well. CHAPA vs NPS. We could face off at Cape Hatteras High School and the winner determines what responsible, reasonable access really is. I bet that would make for one incredible tailgate party! And then we could adjourn to the Point to fish and feast while we thank Judge Boyle that we do know what Cape Point is like and that's why we do come here!

Anyway, enough about that.

Recently, as I'm sure most of you know, some of our North Carolina congressional representatives,  Senators Hagan and Burr and Congressman Walter Jones wrote a letter to the Department of the Interior voicing concern about the NPS proposed plan and the massive closures they seek to enact. These proposed closures will  needlessly, without scientific justification, eliminate access to incredible swaths of the Seashore including most all of the most popular areas within the recreational area. Indeed NPS also seeks to invent a new "zone" of sorts called a vehicle free area or "VFA". Again, another thinly veiled attempt at changing the nature, and more specifically, the mission of the Seashore from that which congress intended and in violation of federal law.

What his portion of the N.C. congressional delegation proposes, at least in part is the establishment of  vehicle "corridors" that would allow access around the draconian closures proposed in the FEIS. ( you can read the letter at www.islanfreepress.org under Beach Access Issues )

Ladies and gentlemen, sharpen yer pencils. It's time to write these good folks. It's time for you to make your voice heard!

In short, corridors wont do it. Why? Because they can be to easily blocked by NPS for any one of a number of reasons and you can bet the Service will take full advantage of that in order to further their agenda. Corridors will also be just that, corridors. No stopping, no parking, no walking, no pets on a leash, no swimming, no picnics etc....gee what a fun time at the beach!

The real issue here is providing non-threatened, non-endangered species, endangered species level protections even though the North Carolina Wildlife resource Commission openly stated that this was unwarranted and unnecessary. The real issue here is returning the Seashore to responsible and reasonable levels of protection similar to what was outlined in the 2007 Interim Management Strategy, or earlier, until and unless NPS can show that access to these areas is actually causing a significant adverse impact to wildlife as outlined in President Carters' 1978 Executive Order 11989.

Remind the good congressmen that ORV access predates the existence of the Seashore and is a traditional, cultural, form of access. ( see Jim Keenes' interview about TCP's at www.preservebeachaccess.org )

That the record of ORV use at the Seashore shows no impairment to the resource.

That the area was established for the purpose of recreation by the Congress who directed NPS to develop the area for such uses as needed.

That the closures of such vast areas of the Seashore is unwarranted and in violation of E.O. 11989.

And don't forget to tell them that corridors wont work!

And there's so much more! Feel free to borrow from what's within the blog.

Whatever you do, please take the time to write and then write again.

Here are the links:

http://hagan.senate.gov/contact

http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

http://jones.house.gov/Contact


 If these folks are really interested in helping us, they will pay attention to what you write. Be careful of the facts though. We don't want to talk about things that are untrue.

If you're not from North Carolina, and even if you are, remember to talk about your economic impact to the Islands and how this will effect your future visits to the Seashore or sadly, in some cases, eliminate your visits entirely. Lets let these folks know how we feel and what's wrong with the NPS as they abandon science, reason, tradition, and the benefit and enjoyment of the people.

We can make a difference and now is one great time to try. Remember, if you don't fight the fight, you have no right to bitch that your Seashore is closed!

Tight Lines, enjoy the game!

Wheat

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Many Thanks To My Friends!

Well friends, associates, countrymen, and even those from the "darkside". I wish to thank you all for your support and taking the time to read these pages. We approach a milestone this day that signifies to me that the message about our fight for free and open access having been conducted for years without any document-able "considerable adverse effects", is being spread.

Without question, our story has been curtailed by the media who for so long accepted anything that came from NPS, DOW, Audubon,SELC and even the statements of Judge Terrance Boyle, as gospel and beyond reproach.

But people are starting to listen and care about what has, and what is, happening to this Seashore, it's visitors, and those of us who live here. And they're beginning to act. And the more people listen and see the reality of this situation, the less that like it.

I didn't move to this island to be the consummate "Point Fisherman". I moved here because I fell in love with this place years ago and was compelled to fight for access to our beaches as so many others have been doing for decades.

Without the ability to show "significant adverse effect" to either wildlife or the resource, NPS has no right to shut down any portion of the Seashore to access, even by ORV.

The milestone I speak of is this blogs hit count. And it has taken a remarkable turn thanks to you who share this dialog with others. Today we will likely hit 10,000 views, a figure I would have never imagined.

To me this speaks of a determined people who refuse to allow junk science and agenda to rob them of this Seashore that was established for the benefit and enjoyment of "the people".

Again, I thank you for your support and for lending me an ear. And especially thank those who continue to share my words and the knowledge and the established law that supports our cause. Without you, we would still be in the midst of an essential agenda drieven media blackout.

We have a long row to hoe yet and I hope that you will support those that fight the fight.

Thank You and Tight Lines,

Wheat