
DATE: Sunday, April 27, 1997                TAG: 9704270047

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS                  LENGTH:   75 lines

A GATHERING TO PROTECT THE FRAGILE COAST

The fragile environment of the Outer Banks will be the subject of a two-day conference this week on the preservation and protection of the coastal area's bountiful natural resources.

Sponsored by the Outer Banks' Community Foundation at the Ramada Inn, the forum will provide an opportunity for the community to discuss issues affecting the barrier islands' environment through professional feedback and on-site tours of sites that are important to the area.

Participants will elect to join one of the five in-depth issue groups: environmental education and awareness, water quality, water quantity, planning and growth, and natural and cultural preservation.

On Tuesday, the first day of the conference, each issue group will be guided to pertinent Outer Banks' landmarks and resources during an all-day bus tour.

Highlights of each tour include:

Education issue group: Observation of Nags Head Woods' Environmental Education Program in action, a visit to Jockey's Ridge, lunch at Coquina Beach, a tour of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and finally, a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium.

Water quality issue group: Orientation on Outer Banks' water quality issues with two water experts, a visit to water sampling sites in Kill Devil Hills and Rodanthe, a boat trip with a geologist who is an expert on inlets, a tour of Ocracoke to discuss changes there that affect water and a visit to a Reverse Osmosis Plant to hear a talk on water from a representative from the Cape Hatteras Water Association.

Water quantity issue group: Visit to the Currituck Club, the newest upscale residential development on the northern Outer Banks, which has its own state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plant, and a visit to the reverse osmosis plant in Kill Devil Hills that provides much of Dare County's water.

Planning and growth issue group: Opening presentation by Dr. James Kleckley of Elizabeth City State University and representatives from the Dare County Tourist Bureau and Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. Next, participants will visit Project Blue Sky in Southern Shore and Nags Head Fresh Pond and then listen to speakers Jeff DeBlieu from the Nature Conservancy, Nags Head Town Manager Webb Fuller and Kill Devil Hills Town Manager Debbie Diaz. The day will be topped by a speech by Jonathon B. Howes, the secretary of the state Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. Howes will speak on North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt's agenda for this term and the state's plans to ensure a clean environment.

Natural and cultural resources issue group: A visit to Currituck Beach Lighthouse, then stop at the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary. Next, tour the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Nature Conservancy, the Lost Colony, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station.

Two-part work sessions on each issue will be held on Wednesday, with in-depth discussion on what was gleaned from the tours, followed later by brain-storming for solutions. Work sessions will be preceded by a presentation by keynote speaker Mike Kensler, senior resource advocate with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Kensler will talk about ways communities can protect the future of their resources.

Like its successful State of the Child Conference in 1994, the Outer Banks Community Foundation has assembled collective talents from across the Outer Banks to identify current conditions, find solutions and adopt a plan of action.

Registration for the activities was closed last week with 150 participants. For more information, call the Outer Banks Community Foundation at 261-8839. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos by DREW C. WILSON

A run with wild ponies . . . A winter walk on the beach . . . A

majestic heron's flight . . .

Graphic

ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM

When: Tuesday and Wednesday

Where: The Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills

Highlights: Groups will focus on education, water quality, water

quantity, planning and growth, and natural and cultural resources.

For information: Call the Outer Banks Community Foundation at

261-8839.