The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-01-11

presently contemplated. Under the
terms of authorizing legislation, as
amended June 20, 1910, hunting is
permitted only in certain portions
of the Seashore Recreational Area
and under certain rules and regu-
lations. Where hunting is permit
ted, it is subject to such regula-
lions and to the laws of the State
of North Carolina.
A. Educational and Interpretive
Facilities
Within it's own confines, the
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Recreational Area preserves i'm
portant scenic and wilderness as
poets, displays unique wildlife and
vegetation, interprets geological
lessons in the ever-shifting dunes,
and reminds of the sagas of storms
and sea. To enable the visitor to
better understand and more thor
oughly enjoy all these manifes-
tations of history and natural his
tory, development and operation of
various facilities is contemplated
in the MISSION sc program for
Cape Hatteras.
(a) Visitor Center. The COM
bined visitor center and headquar-
tiers administrative building, ac-
cording to tentative plans, will be
located on lower Bodie Island.
Here the newcomer will first find
authoritative information concern
ing the area and what it has to
offer, and can determine how best
to apportion his time to visit and
study particularly those phases in
which he is especially interested.
He will be advised by uniformed
personnel, stepped and trained in
the phenomena which are so well
exemplified, and will learn from
them the background story of the
area.
(b) Museums. The museum pro-
gram has been well started with
interesting exhibits of lighthouse
history centering about the far
famed Cape Hatteras Light, but
including as well consideration of
similar structures within the area.
Exhibit rooms, minor museums in
fact, are planned for inclusion in
the main visitor center on Bodie
Island and in a possible supple
mentary visitor center to serve
those who visit Ocracoke Island,
Present museum displays will be
improved and additional comfort
stations and drinking fountains
will be made available in connec-
ton with them.
(c) Overlook Stations. 1t is
planned that, at points strategical-
ly located, elevated scenic observa-
ton facilities will be installed,
from which may be obtained full
panoramas of the land and sea.
Perhaps one of these will be an
integral part of the visitor center
building, from which some inkling
of the scope of the seashore may
be gathered. This will be of par
ticular value to those who may
have first been attracted to the
area only by the desire to visit
and use the Coquina Beach de-
velopment. Another possibility is
a location near the westerly end
of Ocracoke Island. Still others
will perhaps permit closeup views
of the migratory waterfowl. pro-
tected within the sanctuary of the
Pea Island Refuge.
(d) Interpretive Dew ic s..
Throughout the area, liberal use
will be made of directional and in
terpretive signs, not only in the
museums, but in conjunction with
self-guiding trails from parking
areas to points of visitor interest,
and in convenient locations at the
parking areas. These will be sup
plemented by and correlated with
the use of Informative leaflets
dealing with the various phases
which are to be interpreted. In
side, in the visitor centers and ex-
hibit rooms, audio-visual equip
ment will be utilized as an added
facility to assist in making it pos
for the visitor to understand
clearly the whole story of the Ma
tlonal Seashore Recreational Area
and what it preserves and per-
petuates.
Summary
The primary objective of the
National Park Service at the Cape
Hatteras National Seashore Rec
reational Area is to preserve, pro-
tect. and interpret the natural
scenic and wilderness character of
the area and it's historical and geo.
logical associations.
In planning for recreational
activities within the area, care will
be exercised to see that provisions
for such activities are adequate
for the expected public use, but
that they do not harm or destroy
any part of the natural values.
The National Park Service will
leave to the communities adjoin-