THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504130150
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
``Citizens for Solutions,'' an ad hoc group of citizens working to forge a compromise on access to False Cape State Park through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Central Library.
Representatives of the state park and national refuge will respond to suggestions the group has offered in hopes of resolving the dispute.
The refuge in November closed most of its dikes, or trails, to the public for seven months to protect migrating birds. Those dikes are the main access to the isolated state park on the oceanfront, near the North Carolina line.
As a result of a daylong workshop in January, the group made several proposals.
The refuge is considering implementing a few of those suggestions, including shortening the closure period and allowing school and other groups to travel by bus through the refuge for environmental education programs at the park.
Another recommendation, rerouting visitors from the east dike to the west dike, is considered unworkable by the refuge.
So the group on Monday also will explore the possibility of developing new trails or roads.
The meeting, hosted by the Virginia Beach Audubon Society and the Sierra Club, is open to the public.
State and federal officials have been in a stalemate since the summer over the access issue. The local citizens stepped in to help encourage dialogue and ultimately a resolution.
Joe McCauley, acting refuge director, said the refuge's reconsideration of the length of the closure and the running of the educational bus was a direct result of the citizens' efforts.
``We seem to be getting results,'' said George Jessen, of the local Audubon Society chapter. ``We're pleased by that.''
The citizens are not the only people pressuring a resolution. Sen. John W. Warner has introduced legislation in Congress that, among other things, would force state and federal officials to the table.
The legislation has not been before the full Senate yet, but parks and refuge officials have agreed to their first meeting on the issue since August.
The meetings will be held April 20 and 21 in Richmond. by CNB