The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter., 1962-07-20
.SEASHORE PARK EXTENSION
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY
N. C.. AND INTERIOR DEPT.
Proposed Plan Discussed by Governor San
ford. Secretary UdaII and Congressman
Bonner would Extend National Park from
Virginia Line to Cape Lookout and Ensure
Beach Sterilization along the Outer Banks.

A plan to preserve and sta
bilize the Outer Banks from Vir-
ginia to Cape Lookout was dis
cussed here last Saturday by
Governor Terry Sanford, Interior
Secretary Stewart Udall, Rep.
Herbert C. Bonner and National
Parks Director Conrad Wirth.
The lengthy talks, which oc-
Cured prior to dedication cere-
monies at the Lost Colony's new
Waterside theater, anticipated a
cooperative undertaking which
would ultimately expand public
ownership along the banks, en-
sure the long-term stabilization
of the beach, and increase rec
reational facilities for 200 miles
along the Atlantic Coast.
Secretary Udall stated after
the discussions that eff this
plan is put into effect, it would
assure US of the greatest sea-
shore development in America"
Governor Sanford, who shared
Udall's enthusiasm, added that
"this is one of the greatest
things that could ever happen
to North Carolina"
Udall noted that "Over the
past 20 years, our relationships
with the state of North Caro-
lima have been a model of state
federal cooperation" "I'm con-
fident we can work out plans
that will be satisfactory to
everybody"
Commission Re-activatiOn
The first proposal in the plan
calls for the re-activation of the
Cape Hatteras Seashore Com
mission and it's expansion to a
state level. Such a planning
group could cooperate with the
Interior Department in blue
printing an overall plan for the
project.
The first step in the plan
would be the expansion of the
Cape Hatteras National Sea-
shore Park southwark to include
Portsmouth Island and Shakle-
ford Banks. The purchase of
these tracts was undertaken in
1859 at the insistence of Gov
ernor Luther Hodges, who re-
ceived a half million dollars for
their purchase and stabilization
from the General Assembly.
The visionary plan, described
by Secretary Udall as "one of
the most exciting projects being
studied by my department." has
been a dream of the National
Park Service and many North
Carolinians for years. If given
financial approval, it would
make the Outer Banks the ma
tion's most impressive and ex-
tensive recreation facility.
Only Selected Parts
Sanford and Udall emphasized
that the plan did not mean that
all Outer Banks areas would be
taken into public ownership.
"While we are giving thought
to the extension of the park from
the Virginia line to Cape Look
out" they said, "this definitely
does not mean that all of this
area is being considered as a
park, but only selected parts,
with adequate areas being re-
served for private development" "
"The final decision would be
made by local residents and state
officials" However, the idea
does look for an overall develop
ment and preservation plan that
would be administered cooperat-
lively between Federal and State
groups"
The plan would have to be Leg
islated by Federal and State
agencies with responsibility for
development of public areas and
preservation of the beaches Civ.
en- to the Park Service.
Local Opinion
The Governor and Interior
Secretary made it clear that no
See SEASHORE, Page Four