Beach driving debate draws environmental interest

Editor's note: WRAL Local Tech Wire has added another feature with the launch of the "Innovation Exchange." Noah Garrett, former executive director of communications for the North Carolina Technology Association, is a creative spirit, from writing music to news stories, who recently launched his own communications consulting firm. The focus of the Innovation Exchange is just that – creating a Web community through which people can exchange ideas and foster creativity.

Participate in the Exchange. Send ideas and feedback to: noah@thinkngc.com

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK , N.C. — Last week's Innovation Exchange regarding the "Jaded Shade of Green" focusing on a beach driving lawsuit currently under way on the Outer Banks generated a tremendous response from you. Thank you.

The concept behind the IE is to generate participation, and you have delivered … and then some. I wanted to share some of your thoughts submitted on this topic, give you the latest news, and keep this environmental thread going in the spirit of Earth Day, which is coming up next week. Enjoy!

Reader Responses:

"I loved your article posted on WRAL this morning, Keep it up and let's go fishing.

"I too love nature but think it's a shame to keep man out of the forest for fear he may step on the grass. I hope you've read Michael Crichton's "State of Fear." It may be fiction, but I think the insight into what's behind so much of the Environmental Movement is correct.
It's the $$$! Thanks. – Dick, Candler, N.C."

"Noah, I could not agree with you more…I enjoyed your article Technology, Man and Outer Banks - The Jaded Shade of 'Green'. My wife and I regularly have this debate. She has an advanced degree in environmental science, works in this field (specifically regulation of hog waste), and deals with environmental issues regularly. She notices decision-makers do not always think about the impact to our great state, its culture, economy, or way of life. The Outer Banks has long been a place I grew up visiting with family because of its beauty and isolation, allowing for us to escape the hustle and bustle of the Triangle area. The past 20 years have brought great change to our state with an influx of jobs, people, and money. Most of the new influx does not have a concept of our culture nor cares to retain it. This is ironic as most moved here because of our state's beauty, climate, and hospitality (although this is changing in a negative way). I appreciate the influx that has brought greater opportunity to N.C., but there has got to be a balance between N.C. culture and the various cultures newcomers bring. N.C. needs to retain its ideals and flavor so as to not fall victim to newcomers views about how we manage our resources. Well put on the issue of being green means affecting the environment to use fuel to plant organic crops, build green machines, etc. Take care and keep up the excellent work! – Brian, Raleigh, N.C."

"I enjoyed the article. Right now the battle is on to preserve access for humans against some extreme environmental groups. I think that anyone would be hard pressed to find any of the users of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area that are anti environment. In the same light, that should not mean banning humans from nature as these groups are pressing to do right now – Anonymous"

"The article is really good! I like how you acknowledge that humans can't live without disturbing nature. It takes the argument from black and white to the realistic shades of gray that dominate this topic. Good job! Rachael – Charleston, S.C."

In closing, the same day the original post was put online here at Local Tech Wire, Dare County issued a press release saying it, the National Park Service, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society had been unable to reach an agreement on parameters for beach driving in the Cape Hatteras National Recreational Seashore.

Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society sued the National Park Service because it did not have a management plan addressing driving.

Then, on Wednesday of this week, the parties got together on a settlement and submitted it to U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle for approval. You can read more about that development at WRAL.com.

Stay tuned…