ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605060074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH
After 30 years of bickering, federal and state officials have finally agreed to a plan that will provide access to False Cape State Park without disturbing the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
The answer, agreed to Thursday, is an environmentally friendly tram.
Still subject to a three-month public review, the plan proposes a system that transports visitors on an electric tram on the interior dikes or roads of the refuge, and a specially engineered vehicle to negotiate the beach.
On Thursday, a tram borrowed from Georgia Power and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta made a successful test run through the park and refuge.
The agreement also provides for year-round access routes, limited development of the park and designating much of the park a natural area.
Currently, park visitors can enter only by hiking or biking five miles of trails through the refuge or along the beach. During the winter, access is restricted to the beach alone, and cars are not permitted.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 29 linesby CNB