Strickland Lauds Progress on Management Issues Related to Cape Hatteras, Bonner Bridge

WASHINGTON -- Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland today lauded the progress of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service for their work to balance important management issues related to North Carolina's Outer Banks.

“The work of these two agencies shows that the conservation of fish and wildlife and its habitat on the Outer Banks can be consistent with the transportation, recreation, and economic needs of local communities,” said Strickland. “I applaud the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service for their commitment to engaging the local communities, gathering ideas, and applying the best science to guide wise management decisions.”

On Friday, December 17, the Fish and Wildlife Service sent a letter to the Federal Highway Administration outlining additional steps agreed to by the two agencies that will protect Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge but will also allow construction of a new bridge to replace Herbert C Bonner Bridge. The Department of the Interior worked closely with FHWA and the North Carolina Department of Transportation over the past few months to craft a path forward.

The letters can be found at LINK1 and LINK2.

Meanwhile, the National Park Service today made available the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan. In the Record of Decision, the Service adopted its preferred alternative to address resource protection (including protected, threatened, or endangered species), potential conflicts among the various Seashore users, and visitor safety.

The notice can be found at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha.