PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPENS FOR OCRACOKE ISLAND MULTI-USE TRAIL AND PARKING LOT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Date: October 11, 2007
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the National Park Service (NPS) will seek public comments on the proposed development of a paved, multi-use trail and a parking lot on Ocracoke Island. The trail corridor will be located on NPS property to provide a safe and direct linkage between the Village of Ocracoke and the NPS Campground. The parking lot will be located on NPS property to provide additional parking for access to the Park and a staging area for potential mass transit into Ocracoke Village. This public comment period is part of the process to prepare an Environmental Assessment, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

During the public comment period, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to review and provide comments on the proposed project. The NPS has established a website for the purpose of providing information to the public regarding the proposed project and to submit written comments on the proposal.

Beginning on Saturday, October 13, 2007 and ending on Tuesday, November 13, comments can be submitted by visiting the Park’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at