The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-05-11
ABOVE FOUR MILLION DOLLARS
ESTIMATED IN 1O-YR. PROGRAM
HATTERAS SEASHORE PROJECT
Visitors Expected to Increase to Two Million in
Ten Years; Heavy Traffic Now Predicts Early
Bridging of Oregon Inlet; Four Fishing Piers
May Be Permitted in 70-MiIe Area As Demand
ed By Public, - -

expected to visit the Cape Hat
teras National Seashore by 1866,
ten years from now, Director Con-
rad Wirth of the National Park
Service said in Washington this
week. This will be nearly a ten
fold increase over present traffic.
Last year 264,545 visitors came to
the area.
This area stretches about 70
miles, between Bodie Island Beach
and Ocracoke Inlet. The heaviest
traffic is now at Oregon Inlet,
which sometimes requires four
ferry boats to keep moving. A ten
fold increase would require forty
ferry boats. 1t is obvious now that
a bridge will be built in this area
within the next five years, judging
from the increase in traffic dur
ing the past three years. This in
crease bears out the Directors
estimate of two million visitors a
year in ten years.
The National Park service is
proceeding with its development of
the region on the assumption of
a heavy increase in traffic. Direc-
tor Wirth said the Government
plans to spend $4,375,OOO on de-
velopment of the area in the next
ten years. He said the program is
designed to preserve the wilder
ness qualities Of the area and at
the same time provide facilities to
handle upwards of two million
visitors annually by 1866.
Last year the area had 264,545
visitors. Wirth said he expected
there may be a ten-fold increase
in 10 years.
In the program submitted to
acting Secretary of the Interior
Clarence A. Davis, Wirth said more
funds also will be necessary for
the area to meet increased stating
and operational costs as the de-
velopment progresses.
The Cape Hatteras development
is planned as part of the nation
wide mission &C. program design
ed to develop the 181 areas of the
National Park System by 1866 so
that they can handle 80 million
visitors year. The units had so
million visitors in 1866.
Congress must provide the mon
ey year by year if the program is
to be carried through as planned.
Beach Erosion Included
Wirth said the largest single
item in the Cape Hatteras proposal
would be about $1,4OO,OOO for
beach erosion and sand fixation
work on the 20 miles of Atlantic
Coast line within the area.
He said the law establishing the
seashore recreational area directs
the service to develop certain por-
tons for swimming, boating, sail
ing, fishing and other recreational
uses and to preserve the remainder
permanently as primitive wilder
ness.
He said that almost 80 per cent
of the area will be retained in its
natural state after all development
contemplated under the mission Sc
program has been completed.
Among the projects planned are:
l. A combined visitor center and
headquarters administrative build
ing on lower Bodie Island. Parking
space would be provided for 800
automobiles at the visitor center
and facilities for additional cars
would be provided at the nearby
Coquina Beach public swimming
area, where construction of mod
ern beach structure was recently
authorized.
Facilities similar to those at
Coquina Beach are proposed for
the bathing areas adjacent to the
settlements on Hatteras and Ocra-
coke Islands as needed, including
visitor centers and parking facili-
ties.
2. A new public service building
at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
and parking for 400 cars at the
improved marina.
8. Improved camping facilities at
Oregon Inlet and at Cape Point on
Hatteras Island, with parking ia
cilities at the latter site.
Wirth said in addition number
of roadside parking areas with
walkways and trails to points Of
interest will be provided; the three
museums in the area win be i'm
proved, and additional comfort
stations and drinking fountains
will be installed.
eff justified by public demand,
construction Of not more than four
ocean fishing piers near existing
communities will be authorized, I"
Wirth said. "Such facilities would
be financed and maintained by pri-
waite capital under park service