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N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission States Position on Cape Hatteras National RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 16, 2008) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission supports opening negotiated rulemaking (Reg-Neg) committee meetings to a broader segment of the public through cable television and Internet broadcasts. The Reg-Neg was established by the National Park Service to facilitate a negotiated rulemaking process for off-road vehicle (ORV) driving on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. “Science-based decision making is fundamental to sound resource management, but those decisions must also take into account culture, tradition, economic impacts and public trust rights” said Gordon Myers, executive director of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “The Reg-Neg committee is composed of a broad set of interest groups affected by the ORV vehicle regulations. Synthesis of all perspectives and strict adherence to the meeting ground rules will result in the most sustainable long-term policy. Implementation of broadcast technology would provide another option for the public to overcome geographic separation in order to stay informed and participate in the rulemaking process.” At the onset of the negotiated rulemaking process, Reg-Neg committee members agreed that public participation and process documentation would be facilitated through public meetings and a Web site repository. Information can be downloaded at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=358&projectId=10641 and http://cbuilding.org/hatteras. |