Seashore Interim Protected Species Management Plan Draft Environmental Assessment is Open for Public Comment

Date: March 10, 2006
Contact: Wouter Ketel, 252-728-2250 ext. 3005

Harkers Island, North Carolina. The National Park Service (NPS) is asking for public comments on the Cape Lookout National Seashore (CLNS) Interim Protected Species Management Plan - draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The draft EA is being released on March 10, 2006, and will be open for public comment until April 7, 2006.

The Interim Protected Species Management Plan will guide management practices for recreational use and protection of species at CLNS for the next three to four years until the long-term Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Management Plan and regulations are completed (currently scheduled for completion in 2008.) The draft EA was developed considering public input, practical knowledge, federal laws, science, and NPS policy. The scope of the draft EA is limited to consideration of ORV and pedestrian access and the relationship of these factors, as well as current management activities, to protected species.

Public participation is vital to the NPS planning process. The NPS looks forward to receiving input from everyone, particularly on identified issues, concerns you may have, and any ideas that will meet the need, purpose, and objectives of this planning process. The comments and concerns will be gathered and used in the development of the final EA and development of the plan. In order to provide for broad public comment, the NPS will be accepting comments via internet or through the mail. Comments must be received by April 7, 2006. Instructions for submission of your comments are listed below:

Via the Internet- If you have access to the internet, you may submit your comments on-line at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CALO. Select the Interim Protected Species Management Plan project, then click on the “Documents and Links” section and finally click the “Submit Your Comments for the Interim Protected Species Management Plan EA (download the plan)” link found in the “Documents and Links” section.

Via the Mail- Alternatively, you may send your written comments to: Superintendent, Cape Lookout National Seashore, 131 Charles Street, Harkers Island, North Carolina 28531. Please include your full name, mailing address, and e-mail address, if available, with your comments so that we may add you to our mailing list.