National Park Service News Release Public Scoping Period Opens for the Proposed Infrastructure Improvements at Cape Hatteras Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on proposed infrastructure improvement projects identified in the final Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Management Plan that would facilitate visitor access to key recreational areas while providing resource protection to wildlife and plants within Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore.) The NPS is preparing an Environmental Assessment for the proposed construction of parking lots, pedestrian access points and accessible boardwalks, and unpaved interdunal roads and beach access ramps for ORVs at various locations in the Seashore. At this time, NPS is announcing a 30-day public scoping period to solicit comments on social, cultural, and natural resource issues and concerns associated with the development of various sites prior to the Seashore completing its analysis of the proposal. The public scoping period opens March 1, 2012 and closes March 31, 2012. The 30-day public scoping period is part of the process to prepare an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Written comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha. Select the “Proposal to Construct New Development that Facilitates Public Access” link to view the scoping documents. Comments can also be mailed to: Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Drive , Manteo , NC 27954 For more information, see attached newsletter or contact Randy Swilling, NPS Natural Resource Manager, at (252) 473-2111 x 135. -NPS-
