The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-01-11
PARK SERVICE
Continued from Page One)

(COntlnueu from rage OneI
the surface, and planting of vari-
Gus species OF grasses to the ex-
tent of more than 140 million
square feet for. the same purpose.
1t is perhaps best remembered be-
cause of it's results in the vicinity
of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse,
spectacular results which have per-
mitted reactivation of that historic
structure in the function for which
it was built, as an important aid
to navigation.
A special 100000 allotment of
Federal construction funds to the
National Park Service, together
with cooperative activity by State
agencies, has permitted initiation
of the current program of erosion
control and fiXation. The continu-
ing program, changing from con-
struction to maintenance as time
goes on, will eventually be accom-
plished almost entirely with main
tenance funds.
Another item in the contem-
plated construction program which
will greatly facilitate protection
of all the natural resources of the
area is the provision of some meas
ure of employee housing within its
confines. The round-thesclock avail
ability of personnel thus assured
will expedite detection and sup
preston of fires, and will other
wise augment the protective pro-
gram which the area deserves.
2. Meals, Lodging Accommodations,
and Concessions
All of the developments at Cape
Hatteras, whether presently under
construction or contemplated by
1866, are for the sole purpose of
providing whatever is necessary to
permit visitors to best enjoy, now
and in the years to come, the
scenic, cultural, and recreational
resources of the area. The MIS-
SION &c program for Cape Hat
teras, while completely aware of
the needs of it's visitors for food
and for lodging, does not include
plans for governmental provision
of meals or overnight accommoda-
tons for these visitors. The policy
of the National Park Service, as
clearly enunciated by the Direc-
tor, is to continue to look to COM
munities adjoining and outside the
seashore recreational area to pro-
vide overnight accommodations,
meals, boating, fishing, and other
facilities that visitors may require.
This policy was outlined in
"Some Questions and Answers" as
issued in 1862 with respect to the
seashore area. The document
states on page II that "the Ma
tional Park Service does not plan
to construct hotels, tourist courts,
restaurants, gasoline service sta
tions and other commercial estab-
lishments within the area, so long
as the local people will furnish
these facilities in the villages to
serve those who visit the Area.
Here, then, is a fertile opportunity
for the initiation of private enter
prises in the villages. Employment
will be increased thereby"
Even in the case of specific
needs within the seashore area for
special services in locations away
from communities or which the
communities can not be expected
to furnish, facilities will be built
and operated by private capital
under supervised concession con-
tracts. Facilities of this type in
clude the existing boat service and
supply concession located near
Oregon Inlet, and proposal for
fishing pier operation on the ocean
front of Hatteras Island. Contracts
such as these involve the use of
private funds for construction of
facilities such as marianes, docks,
and piers. They do not cover or
include the provision of overnight
accommodations.
8. Public Use and
Recreational Facilities
The law which authorized estab-
lishment of the Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational
Area charges the National Park
Service with the responsibility for
developing portions of the area for
certain forms of recreational acti-