Aren’t there are plenty of beaches north and south of Cape Hatteras without beach driving?
No. Just as people need air and water to survive, birds and sea turtles have biological requirements that must be met in order for them to nest, raise young, and survive during migration and winter. Much of the historical habitat is already destroyed by development while the Seashore has wide, sandy, unvegetated beach areas that are preferred nesting habitat. Wildlife are running out of options so it is essential that the few areas of remaining good nesting habitat be properly managed. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, located north of the national seashore, does not provide sufficient suitable nesting habitat on the beaches because beach stabilization measures to the north and ongoing road maintenance and bulldozing obstructs the natural overwash and movement of this barrier island.
