Date: November 13, 2007
Contact: Wouter Ketel, (252) 728-2250 Ext. 3005
Harkers Island, North Carolina. Cape Lookout National Seashore Superintendent Russ Wilson announces that the public is invited to comment on the Draft Commercial Services Plan/Environmental Assessment (EA) and Assessment of Effect for the national seashore. Public comment is encouraged and comments will be accepted until December 14, 2007.
Comments on the Draft Commercial Services Plan can be submitted on the internet by going to the following link: http://www.nps.gov/calo/parkmgmt/planning.htm (choose Commercial Services Plan) or in writing by sending your comments to:
M. DeLaura, DSC-P, National Park Service Denver Service Center
12795 West Alameda Parkway
P.O. Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225-9901
A copy of the draft plan/EA and information on the planning process can be found at the above link. Copies of the plan are also available at the Carteret Public Library in Beaufort, North Carolina.
Initial public “scoping” meetings for the Commercial Services Plan were held on May 17 -18, 2006, and preliminary alternatives for the plan were presented to the public during public meetings on March 7 and 8, 2007.
The types of commercial services currently offered at the seashore include: concessions at Long Point on North Core Banks and at Great Island on South Core Banks that provide vehicle and passenger ferry services, cabin rentals, gasoline, and ice sales; passenger ferry services from Ocracoke, Harkers Island, Beaufort, and Morehead City arriving at Portsmouth Village, the Cape and Shackleford Banks; island transportation, ATV rentals/tours, and other tour and guide services.
Commercial services proposed in the final plan must be consistent with the park's enabling legislation, support the purpose and significance of the seashore, and help achieve desired visitor experience objectives. The commercial services plan will determine whether a proposed or existing commercial service is necessary and appropriate. Its companion document, an environmental assessment, will analyze the impacts of alternatives on seashore visitors, the local economy, cultural and natural resources ,and operations within the seashore.
