OBX Beach Driving Rules Open for Comment

The National Park Service is accepting public comment about rules governing off-road vehicles on the Outer Banks. North Carolina environmental groups filed a lawsuit in 2007 that said regulators did not have proper rules in place to protect wildlife from vehicles that might disturb sea turtle nests and other natural habitats. At the same time, some North Carolina lawmakers lobbied for beach access to support local businesses. Mike Murray is the superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Mike Murray: "Throughout the planning process, it was clear that there were controversies and polarized points of view. So the Park Service feels like the plan represents a reasonable balance that will ensure we comply with our legal requirements to protect park resources and to offer a variety of visitor experiences."

The rules implement seasonal and year-round regulations for Hatteras, Bodie and Ocracoke Islands. They are posted on the National Park Service's website and open for public comment until September 6th.