DATE: Monday, July 14, 1997                 TAG: 9707140061

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  171 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -THE NORTH CAROLINA EDITION

Thanks, sailors

I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to the participants in this year's Colington Harbour Fourth of July Parade of Flags. The parade, which is the longest-running event of its kind in the area, has been held for 13 years continuously and gives an opportunity for boat owners and landsmen to celebrate our nation's birthday in a truly unique fashion.

Thirty boats, ranging from a small aluminum fishing boat to a 43-foot sailboat, took part in the two-hour parade around Colington Harbour's canals. The enthusiasm and camaraderie of the participants, who came from all parts of the country and diverse backgrounds, helped make this parade a resounding success.

Once again, my thanks and appreciation for the help and support of all those who participated.

Terry S. Gannon,

Colington Harbour

Complaints are sour grapes

It saddened me recently to read some of the comments that Alvah Ward made as he retired from his position as executive director of the Tourism Bureau. He specifically indicated that the Dare County Tourist Bureau lacked vision, but I can't help but draw the conclusion that he says this because the Tourism Board's vision did not conform to his vision.

An organization cannot operate strictly with vision and no pragmatism. Vision gives us aspirations and goals; pragmatism encourages us to deal with reality and do what is necessary to move toward the vision.

I served on the Tourism Board in the early '70s, in the '80s and again for several years in the '90s. What I have seen happen these many years is that the organization has kept pace with the times and has moved from a two-person team of Aycock Brown and Sarah Owensinto what has become a multifaceted organization that informs people about the area, encourages them to come and see it for themselves, and welcomes them when they arrive.

Growth is always painful, whether it be individual or organizational. If an organization is to grow and arrive at its full potential, it must be with everyone working together towards a collective vision. No one person's vision is the answer. Mr. Ward's comments sound like sour grapes! The collective vision of the board is far greater than his narrow vision. Period.

Edward Louis Greene,

Manteo

Supports Oregon Inlet proposal

In the recently renewed debate over stabilization of Oregon Inlet, it seems that technicalities and procedural questions again threaten to shift the focus from honest analysis of balance. Some still seem unwilling to consider man's historical impact on the environment surrounding the inlet, the real human needs that impact has created, and the challenge to properly assess and mitigate any environmental impacts from further human development in the area. As a certified environmental professional, I have devoted my life's work to designing means to protect the environment while allowing a human presence as an integral part of that environment. I support the intent of Senate Bill 352, as I understand it, for the reasons outlined below:

For the past 150 years, the area surrounding Oregon Inlet has had an active human presence. Even the inlet's name is derived, not from its geographical location, but from the first commercial vessel to pass through its waters after an 1846 hurricane opened the passage.

While Oregon Inlet physically separated the northern and southern communities of Dare County, other inlets along North Carolina's Outer Banks were not allowed to remain but were artificially closed, such as the inlet that opened just north of Buxton in the early '60s. About the same time, a new bridge across Oregon Inlet was under construction to replace ferry service which linked Nags Head with the seven villages of Hatteras Island to the south. Keeping Oregon Inlet open in its same general location became crucial to continued land transportation.

The transportation corridor that the Bonner Bridge provided led south onto Hatteras Island, where a man-made dune system already protected the island's only access road from ocean overwash and erosion.

The Corps of Engineers began dredging the inlet to ensure continued navigation between inland sound waters and the ocean.

With the development of a tourist economy along the Outer Banks, the National Park Service itself encouraged recreational boating with the creation of the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center on the inlet's north side. The charter fleet that located there depended on nearby sea access through Oregon Inlet for their recreational fishing customers, as did the thousands of smaller, privately owned boats that launched at the NPS public ramp.

The inlet's northern shore also became a mecca for four-wheel-drive vehicles on any given summer day, carrying hundreds of recreational surf fishermen to the inlet's edge; a campground on the north side afforded campers a convenient site close to the ocean and inlet.

With continued erosion on the inlet's south side threatening to undermine the south terminus of the Bonner Bridge, the North Carolina Department of Transportation constructed a terminal groin to stabilize the southern side of the inlet in 1989-90. That groin was subject to environmental scrutiny through the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and issuance of state permits for construction.

All of the above actions represent commitments made to the year-round resident as well as the visitor, commitments which need to be recognized and honored today. Now the inlet's northern side has continued its historic southerly march, and the inlet's continued navigability is threatened.

What Senate Bill 352 would achieve is the opportunity to sharply focus our attention on science, and to identify for mitigation any environmental impacts that would result from construction of a terminal groin on the inlet's north side. The . . . appropriation included in the bill, most of which is to be used for preparation of an Environmental Assessment, is a necessary first step that would allow for challenges to the factual information collected. The Environmental Assessment should include recognition of the economic and environmental impacts of the ``no action alternative.'' Then an informed judgment could be made for all alternatives.

As I understand it, Senate Bill 352's prohibition against legal challenge is merely a means to ensure that the scientific, environmental and economic evaluation of the terminal groin's construction occurs in its proper forum through the Environmental Assessment process, rather than being halted in a state court which focuses not on science but on procedure. As an environmental professional, I encourage that evaluation. I support the notion that, given the continuous human alteration of the environment surrounding Oregon Inlet, a balance needs to be achieved that mitigates any documented environmental impacts while protecting the vital historic commitments to the region. I support this legislation and its full intent, and urge its passage by the N.C. House of Representatives.

George H. Wood, C.E.P.,

Kill Devil Hills

Praise for power workers

Several thousand persons were on Roanoke Island on July 4 attending functions for the 60th anniversary of the Lost Colony, the town of Manteo's celebration, and just here for a good time, when all of a sudden everything went black and got hotter than usual. All of us, including me, take for granted the simple flipping of a switch for our lights, air and heat. The problem that occurred could have happened at any day, any time. It was unfortunate that it happened on the 4th.

The employees of North Carolina Power (some of whom were on vacation and just happened to be in downtown Manteo) came very speedily to search for the problem and to rescue us. Even though we were without power for a little while, these men corrected it and went back home with not many thanks, but much criticism. The heat that day was deplorable, and two people had heat strokes. Two of these men worked in a ditch, looking as if they had just come out of a shower, to provide us again with the comforts that we have come to expect. They are here for us when we have a snow storm, sleet, hurricanes, tornadoes, northeasters and other severe weather conditions, working diligently to keep us comfortable.

I would like to say ``Thank you'' to Maywood Lee, Larry Tolley, Ross Riley, Joey Grgurich, Chuck Ellis, and approximately six others whom I do not know names of who worked so hard to make things right. The power came on just as the first fireworks exploded. By the time most of us got home, we had lights, air and all of the other things we have grown used to. Think about these men and women when you are home and give thanks they are as dedicated as they are.

Lynda F. Midgett,

Chairman,

Manteo Special Events Committee

Wants to preserve Wright center

I was distressed to learn that the National Park Service is planning, as part of building the new Visitor Center for the centennial observance of the Wright Brothers flight, to demolish the architectural gem that is the present center. This would surely be a serious mistake. The building is an ``important example of mid-20th century architecture in our national parks,'' according to a resolution of the Society of Architectural Historians. The state historic preservation office has called it ``one of the most outstanding examples of modernist architecture built in North Carolina during the mid-20th century.''

I have just plain always liked the building. Even its architect. Romaldo Giurgola, now retired and living in Australia, considered it one of his finest, and wrote to request that it be saved. It was cited in the Gold Medal award of the American Institute of Architects, given to Giurgola in 1982.

It would be a tragedy to tear down such an excellent example of modern American building. The center could surely be used as a library or as offices for the park service staff, while the new $26 million facility with interactive displays and a wrap-around theater can be placed on another part of the property.

I hope other residents of the Outer Banks area who appreciate the present Wright Memorial visitor center will join me in requesting that it be saved. Write to: Russell Berry, Superintendent, Cape Hatteras Group Headquarters for National Parks, Route 1, Box 675, Manteo, N.C. 27954.

Diane Henderson,

Southern Shores

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