“It is an insult to think that the federal government would move to restrict the access of taxpaying Americans to the Cape Hatteras Seashore,” Jones said. “I hope this bill sends a clear message to the Park Service that Eastern North Carolinians will not stand for any attempt to prohibit beach driving.”

 H.R. 5047 would prevent any funds collected through the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program at Cape Hatteras, which includes admission fees and user fees, from being used to fund a study on beach driving. The Park Service has indicated that it may soon require off-road vehicles to obtain permits to drive on the seashore and has intentions to prepare studies that are necessary to develop a management plan on beach driving.
 
 “This bill would ensure that 80 percent of the fees collected at Cape Hatteras would be used solely for the operation and maintenance expenses at the Park so that locals, tourists, and beach drivers can enjoy the beautiful seashore for generations to come,” Jones said.

 Congressman Jones introduced the bill just one week after the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands held an oversight hearing on public access to national parks, which included the issue of beach driving at Cape Hatteras.