N.C. congressman to hold hearing on beach driving

RALEIGH -- A hearing has been scheduled on a proposed law to reduce closures to protect endangered birds and turtles on Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., said Thursday the hearing would be held Sept. 11 by the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. Jones introduced a bill to return the seashore to a previous management plan that was struck down after environmentalists sued the National Park Service. Environmental groups said the older rules didn't do enough to protect endangered species. The seashore operated this spring and summer under the more restrictive rules that limited access to some traditional fishing spots along the shore, prompting complaints from local business and fishermen. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)