NC congressman wants to overturn Hatteras beach driving

HATTERAS, N.C. (AP) – A North Carolina congressman has filed a
bill to overturn new rules on beach driving along the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore.

Republican Rep. Walter Jones filed the bill Tuesday, saying the
federal government should remember that Cape Hatteras was
established as a recreational area for people who need access to
the beach.

Under rules established last month by the National Park Service,
off-road vehicles are allowed year-round on 28 miles of the
seashore and on 13 additional miles between mid-September and
mid-March. The remaining 26 miles are off limits to vehicles.

Permit fees are $50 a week or $120 a year for beach drivers.
One Cape Hatteras group has sued to rescind the rules, which
were adopted to protect sea turtles and birds.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)