Dear Mr. Hampton, (VA Pilot Reporter)

You article and quotes appear to give great credence to the real destroyers of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area (this is the true name of America’s first seashore).  Did their lawsuits really save the endangered species that visit our seashore, why don’t they ever publish complete facts when quoting statistics.  I truly believe that the prime objective was the further fattening of the bank accounts of the lawyers they support with their continuing lawsuits.

Where has Audubon been?  Where has Defenders of Wildlife (DOW) been?  Where has Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) been?  They were all here in great numbers when the NC DOT and Dare County were being sued or threatened with lawsuits.  They were all here when the National Park Service and Department of Interior were being sued.  They will be back again to file suit or threaten to sue all of the above before permanent repairs to route 12 are made, before the new bridge to Hatteras Island is built and when NPS releases the ORV Driving Rule for Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area.

In the mean time we all suffered thru Hurricane Irene and are only now returning to some semblance of order.  This return towards normalcy has been achieved through the hard work of many individuals, organizations and governmental agencies.  Where have the above litigants been?  Has anyone received an offer of help from The Audubon Society, Defenders of Wildlife or The Southern Environmental Law Center?  Businesses and organizations have raise thousands of dollars to help those in need as a result of Irene and stand to do the same the next time disaster strikes. 

When it became clearly evident that financial aid was needed the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association immediately raised $14,115 from their members and made a donation to Outer Banks Charitable Foundation.  A previously scheduled NCBBA October fishing tournament had ALL of its proceeds dedicated to relief organizations; entry fees, raffles, door prizes and winners donating their rewards made up additional donations:  $876 to Locomotion in Buxton & $13,217 to the Methodist Men of Hatteras Island.  Yes, I am thanking the NCBBA for their efforts in raising donations exceeding $28,000 but I am also asking where Audubon, DOW & SELC were?  These three organizations have assets exceeding $315,000,000 yes $315 million (re; Charitablenavigator.org).  I have seen no mention of a single donation or offer of help from any of these wealthy organizations.

Do you miss them; fear not they will be back, in person and in the mail requesting donations from the same people they have ignored and whose businesses they are destroying.  Please give careful consideration to whom you give donations.  Make sure you agree with how they spend your donation and do not just give because they produce a pretty brochure and make a tearful plea for your money.

Sincerely,

Jim Keene,

PO Box 1615,

Nags Head, NC   27959

252-862-6798