Public Meeting Scheduled on Seashore Passenger Ferry Departure Site Consolidation

Date: August 4, 2009
Contact: Wouter Ketel, [phone] Ext. 3005

Harkers Island, NC  –  Superintendent Russel J. Wilson announced that Cape Lookout National Seashore is preparing an Environmental Assessment for a Passenger Ferry Departure Site Study for the Beaufort and Morehead City areas for service primarily to Shackleford Banks and also to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area of South Core Banks, North Carolina.  The study will be done to determine how a part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore Commercial Services Plan (2008) concerning this service will be implemented. 

The study will examine site considerations and potential sites for a ferry operations base in the Morehead City or Beaufort area. The study will examine available sites, site characteristics and requirements, including accessibility issues and opportunities for co-location of facilities and partnering with the Towns of Beaufort and Morehead City and other governmental agencies, such as the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

“We are very interested in receiving public comments,” stated Mr. Wilson.  “Please join us for the initial public meeting.”

An initial public (scoping) meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM and from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Duke University Marine Lab auditorium on Pivers Island (between Morehead City and Beaufort).  Information will be provided regarding the current status of this effort and park staff will be available to answer questions.  The meeting will be held in an “open house” format.  The public is invited to visit at any point during the scheduled time to review materials and provide comments.

The park is inviting public comments regarding potential issues and concerns that should be considered during the planning process.  Comments can be provided at the meeting, by mail, or on-line. 

Please note: 

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information may be made publicly available at any time.  While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Comments by mail may be sent to:

            Wouter Ketel, Management Assistant

            Cape Lookout National Seashore

            131 Charles Street

            Harkers Island, NC  28531

Comments may also be made on-line at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CALO.  Follow the appropriate links to “Passenger Ferry Departure Site Study.”

Scoping comments are requested by September 25, 2009.  Once the scoping period concludes, all comments submitted will be considered, and a range of alternatives will be developed.  The public, agencies, and other interested parties will have an opportunity to review and comment on the range of alternatives before they are finalized.