Living on Euler's Line

Beach Driving on Hatteras just got a little help

Got a memo from Representative Tim Spear's office this afternoon.  This could be good news for the ORV Access crowd. 

URGENT!!        URGENT!!        URGENT!!

For Immediate Release from

Representative Timothy L. Spear

I am pleased to inform you that I have just received notification and a copy of a bill introduced today by US Representative Walter B. Jones and US Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.  The bill introduced in Congress would reinstate the Interim Management Strategy Plan governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, pending the issuance of a final rule for off-road vehicle use by the National Park Service.

The bill reads as follows:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REINSTATEMENT OF INTERIM MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

After the date of the enactment of this Act, Cape Hatteras National Seashore shall be managed in accordance with the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy /Environmental Assessment issued by the National Park Service on June 13, 2007, for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, until the National Park Service issues a special regulation and long-term off-road vehicle management plan for the use of Cape Hatteras National Seashore by the public.

SEC.2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CONSENT DECREE.

The April 30, 2008, consent decree filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina regarding off-road vehicle use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina shall not apply after the date of the enactment of this Act.

This is what I, Senator Basnight and many of you have requested of our congressional delegation.  Now is the time for everyone to support this legislation and help secure its passage.

Where there is smoke - there is usually fire

For the past week, the Outer Banks has been two things - hot and smoky.  Sam Walker from East Carolina Radio News has the picture of the day - a visual of what we have all been experiencing...  Now that's a fire!  With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees and the heavy smell of smoke, it really makes you want to jump in the ocean which was a nice 73 degrees today.

There should be some relief on the way.  Temperatures should return to normal and some rain is on the way that could help slow down the fires. 

He's Back in Black - a new local blog by Owen Hassell

Owen Hassell has a new blog - OBX Sports Scene.  Owen was a former writer for the Outer Banks Sentinel.  Owen is covering our local Daredevils Carolina Plains League baseball team.  Good luck Owen and I hope to see you at one of the games this summer.

International Space Station + Shuttle viewings this week

Those on the Outer Banks are in for a treat this week.  Not only is the weather beautiful, those that are out and about can look up each evening between June 5th and 8th and view the International Space Station (and Shuttle Discovery) fly overhead.  The Shuttle is delivering the Japanese Kibo module.  As the station grows, it becomes brighter and brighter. 

The best night for viewing will be Sunday June 8th starting from the WNW at 9:31 p.m. and crossing the sky at an altitude of 61 degrees.  If the sky is clear, you won't have to have a degree in astronomy to pick it out - it will be the brightest object moving in the sky.  It should remain visible for about four minutes.  Here are the details on the additional crossings viewable from the Outer Banks.  If you won't be on the Outer Banks on Sunday, you can use the same tool to check for sightings in your own back yard.  Just enter your zip code and look up.