THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 1995 TAG: 9512060436
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CURRITUCK LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The Currituck Outer Banks' off-road beach strand has become a free-for-all that is ruining the ambience of the area and costing the county, beach residents say.
Several people spoke up Monday night about the congestion, safety hazards and property destruction being caused by informal commercial activity on one of the barrier islands' more isolated areas.
``I think the majority of us who live there have watched our beach deteriorate because of the tremendous amount of activity that occurs there during the summer,'' said Elizabeth Dodd of the Villages at Ocean Hill.
The paved part of N.C. 12 ends just north of Ocean Hill. In recent years, the areas north of Corolla have become popular with tourists seeking more secluded or offbeat surroundings, and businesses have been set up on the beach to rent all-terrain vehicles, hang-gliders and horses.
At peak tourist times, ``it's just chaos. It's anarchy,'' Dodd said during a public hearing at the Currituck County Board of Commissioners meeting in Currituck.
The discussion grew out of an earlier public meeting in Corolla, where residents raised concerns with several issues affecting their part of the county.
Carova resident Mary M. Thrasher said the ecological impacts of an increasing number of tourists and recreational vehicles affect all county residents.
``People on mainland Currituck don't understand that is their beach, too,'' said Thrasher, an eight-year northern beach resident.
Ocean Hill resident John Schrote said the county is losing money in tax receipts.
Commercial operators - some from Dare County - are making large profits from Currituck tourists, he said. ``And all we're getting is their dirty disposable diapers and empty beer cans.''
Although a list of rules are written on a sign at the beach ramp, many tourists do not read or heed them, particularly those who park on the packed sand near the shoreline and block traffic.
Others drive faster than the posted 35 mph speed limit or, in the case of recreational all-terrain vehicles, destroy dune lines and private property, residents charged.
Thrasher said there were at least eight ATV accidents last summer, more than half involving very serious neck and back injuries.
``Does someone have to die to make a point of a dangerous situation? I don't think so,'' she said.
Greg DeWolf, owner and operator of Corolla Flight, defended businesses on the beach.
``I don't believe that it's the commercial business that is causing the problems on the beach,'' said DeWolf, who has operated his hang-gliding company on the off-road beach for seven years.
Instead, he said, blame should be placed on unmanaged and uncontrollable tourists with no personal investment in the oceanfront.
ATV enthusiasts are lured by trade magazines boasting of Currituck's low-populated beaches, he said. ``People just come down there and want to do donuts all day on the beach.''
Commissioner Paul O'Neal said the time may be ripe for an off-road beach permit system.
``I think it's time the board looked at some type of ordinance exempting county residents with ATVs but not allowing the day trippers to come on the beach with the ATVs.'' by CNB