THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, March 25, 1995               TAG: 9503250303
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                         LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

BILL WOULD RESTORE ACCESS TO FALSE CAPE

A Senate committee advanced legislation Friday that would permit hikers and bikers to reach False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach again by way of the neighboring Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to a request by Sen. John W. Warner to attach False Cape provisions to an Interior Department spending bill. The legislation could get a Senate floor vote by the middle of next week.

Warner's proposal would restore access to False Cape until a final, permanent agreement is negotiated by Gov. George F. Allen and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. Now, the Cape can be reached only by boat or through the federal refuge. The Warner plan would expire Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.

Federal officials acted last fall to restrict traffic through the refuge, saying wintering waterfowl were being disturbed. by CNB