Outer Banks Link Love: 1.27.12 – OBX Beach Driving Restrictions?!

Posted on January 27, 2012

Outer Banks Link Love

Happy Friday! Time for a little OBX link love.

Here are all of the Outer Banks stories that I couldn’t cover this. Let’s jump right into the fire with one of the most controversial topics the OBX has dealt with.

Outer Banks Beach Driving Restrictions
This has been years in the making, but it seems the hammer has finally been dropped. Permits are now required for Hatteras beach driving. And as the icing on the cake of disappointment, drivers will also be required to take a short “educational program.” Yikes! I love nature and birds as much as the next guy, but I’m not a fan of snatching our freedom and adding bureaucracy to our lives. Oh well. Life rolls on. But make sure you get your permit before you hit the beach on Hatteras. Fines are no fun.

Oregon Inlet Debate
While we’re on the subject of a sticky situation, let’s discuss the debate surrounding Oregon Inlet. Over the past few months, we’ve shared posts discussing the fact that Mother Nature is gradually – or not so gradually – closing the channel at Oregon Inlet. Oregon Inlet is crucial to the Outer Banks. It is a necessity to get boats out of the Sound and into the open ocean. Without Oregon Inlet, the OBX fishing industry – commercial and recreational – would change drastically. Question/debate is who pays to keep it open. Thanks to a great interview by the Outer Banks voice, long-time OBX resident Moon Tillett helps us understand that this debate is nothing new.

Wave Energy at Jennette’s Pier
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is super cool. Gorgeous architecture, live examples of local fish from the NC aquarium, great fishing off the pier, a pretty sweet surf spot, and a whole bunch of “green” energy going on. Check out this video of a new wave energy conversion tool they recently tested off the end of their. Rad!

PS – Checkout our webcam focused on the Pier…and the sweet surf spot.

Coastal Studies Institute on the Outer Banks?

Posted on April 19, 2010

UNC Coastal Studies - OBX

A vision that has been six years in the making is begining to come together. A conditional use permit was issued to build a UNC Coastal Studies Institute campus by the board of commissioners.

The site was originally planned to be constructed near the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Changes to plans have lead planners to develop on a 200-acre site in Skyco, located on Roanoke Island. This project is estimated to cost $30 million and will include a 56,800 square foot building, a 9700 square foot building, two dormatories, a boat storage building, boat slips and parking. “

The OBX has a strong “green” presence, and the campus will be no exception; it will include environmentally friendly equipment and methods of operation. For example, geo-thermal heating systems will be put in place, cisterns will be used to reuse water, and lighting that shuts off when a room is empty will be installed.

The project is projected to be completed by September 2012 and will have a staff of 60 and 120 students that will be living on campus.

An exciting addition to Dare County!

Greening Your Outer Banks Vacation

Posted on March 29, 2010

Outer Banks Sunrise

Below is a recent post from the Audubon Magazine Blog that hits on some great tips for traveling…especially to the Outer Banks. The post focuses on “greening” your travel plans…but on the OBX, we like to focus on “greening” and “blueing.” The post is in its entirety, but some Outer Banks related notes and links have been added.

Enjoy your green & blue traveling!

Now that spring is here, many people are starting to plan their summer vacation. Whether you’re looking to go across the world or merely across your state, these 16 tips will help reduce your carbon footprint.

Planning

Book direct flights, or as few transfers as possible (takeoffs and landings use lots of fuel).
- OBX Note: Williamsburg/Newport News & Hampton Roads airports are only 1.5 – 2 hours drive from the OBX.
Rent a hybrid minivan and vacation with friends to save on fuel and costs.
- OBX Note: Traveling/vacationing with friends/family is a great suggestion, and in addition to a rental car, a beautiful vacation rental home can save money and bring the group closer together.
Vacation closer to home and visit nearby state or national parks, or a new birding trail.
- OBX Note: The Outer Banks has great national and state parks (Jockey’s Ridge, Wright Brother’s Memorial, Cape Hatteras National Seashore) and some amazing nature/birding.
If you’re visiting an exotic locale, consider doing an eco-volunteer vacation.
When booking accommodations, whether at home or abroad, ask about environmental certifications, like Sustainable Travel International or Green Globe.
Trains are a great way to travel; Amtrak’s Northeast trains, which run on electricity, are the cleanest rail option. So consider a trip to New York, Boston, or Washington, D.C.
When flying, avoid booking a first-class seat, which takes twice as much room and therefore twice as much carbon as an economy seat.
A bus will cut your carbon in half, even compared with a hybrid car; taking a bus instead of flying can cut your emissions by 75 percent. Visit GotoBus.com, Greyhound, Trailways.
Fly airlines with newer, more efficient fleets.

Packing

Fly light—lugging aboard 10 extra pounds per passenger requires an additional 350 million gallons of jet fuel
annually (enough to fly a 747 continuously for a decade).
- OBX Note: Vacation rental homes offer washer and dryers so you can pack light and even return home with clean clothes!
Bring your own reusable water bottles (if you’re flying, make sure the containers are empty when you pass through security).
Pack snacks/meals in reusable containers.

Traveling

Traffic congestion boosts emissions, so avoid driving during peak times.
- OBX Note: Outer Banks traffic is heaviest on Saturday’s during the summer.
Save fuel by properly inflating your tires.
At your destination, ask about public transportation, or even rent bikes.
Support sustainable local businesses. Check these websites: greenmap.org for shops and activities,dinegreen.com for certified eco restaurants, and localharvest.org for farmers’ markets.

Bon voyage!