Cape Cod National Seashore Ban Lawsuit

kassak · Since 18 May 2010 108 Posts Stoked

Kiting has been effectively banned at all Cape Cod beaches which are under the National Park Service (NPS) jurisdiction, which is much of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Additionally it has been banned at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge which is under the Fish and Wild Service. A fairly active group of local who hang out virutally at masskiting.com are planning a lawsuit against the NPS. Pretty big move. Essentially, the rationale for the ban is that is disturbs the piping plovers but the science behind it is lacking. They are seeking support in the form of signatures on a petition and a gofundme page donation for legal fees.

https://www.change.org/p/cape-cod-national-seashore-superintendent-george-price-support-modern-green-recreational-activities-in-our-national-parks-and-seashores?recruiter=545234933&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

https://www.gofundme.com/txrfs3pj

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

Signed.

Cape Cod is an awesome place to kite with multiple spots from pristine waves to butter flat. We don't want to loose this spot and a then a trend starts.

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

Signed.

Banning kiteboarding anywhere is a tragedy.

Jonpnw · Thu May 26, 16 7:46 am **Signed**

Kiteboarding is not a crime

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

Signed! The cape is one of my favorite kiting destinations. This ban is ridiculous. Would be really sad to lose access to such a beautiful place.

Pepi · Thu May 26, 16 11:22 am

Signed.

We have friends that have shops on Buzzards Bay and out on the Cape that have continuously worked with the parks service and environmental organizations for over 2 decades managing these issues.
it's a shame that it comes down to this, but access for all recreational users is important.

Remember, this could just as easily happen to us here in the Gorge, except it would be fueled via safety and liability issues.

Jonpnw · Thu May 26, 16 12:03 pm **Important**

Not to change this topic , but think about this the next time you kite up the channel between the ES and Sandbar.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

I grew up partially in Cape Cod (Chatham), my dad's side of the family is from there. Spent every summer sailing, fishing, etc around Monomoy and the Cape Cod Nat'l Seashore. The kiting ban there is ridiculous, I'm really glad the Mass kiters are getting organized and taking on the feds.

They may be able to team up with other users that have been banned on the Cape... like fat-tired bicycles aren't allowed Cape Cod Nat'l Seashore either. Makes no sense. I'm a bird biologist and I don't think either kiting or biking will hurt the plovers. Its an abuse of power by the feds, and they should be called out.

west · Since 09 Oct 2008 136 Posts Lake Michigan Stoked

Unfortunately some kiters view kiting as a right and not a privledge, and conduct themselves in that manner....whether it is Cape Cod, the Sandbar, Rufus or the shorelines of Lake Michigan. Have respect and demonstrate that to others; it goes a long way to minimizing these issues and preserving the privledge of launching off publicly owned areas. Spread the stoke, don't foster animosity...

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2086 Posts PNW Bigfoot

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

you guys aren't understanding the context of the Cape Cod situation.

capekiter · Since 16 Aug 2014 19 Posts

Outer Cape kiters have respected all the rules and regulations, and are some of the most responsible and cleanest beach users, for which we have the support of local Selectmen (our local form of government) who allowed us to continue using town beaches when the Feds first threatened to ban us. As I also stated in the petition, because 6 Outer & Lower Cape towns fall within the Seashore's boundaries the beaches ultimately fall within Federal jurisdiction, overriding the rights of those 6 towns to manage their own beaches as they choose.

Do you guys- West & Sasquatch- really believe it's ok for the US Federal Government to erode the rights of local governing bodies and law abiding citizens in order to uphold the misperceptions of a single appointed official who is unwilling to negotiate with select groups due to personal bias? THAT is the issue, not our conduct. But thanks for the unwarranted criticism. Real respectful on your part.

capekiter · Since 16 Aug 2014 19 Posts

I hope no one decides not to sign the petition or help get the word out based on West's or Sasquatch's comments. They clearly know nothing about the issue and just want to throw OC kiters (Outer Cape) under the bus.

Truth is local public officials here understand we have behaved as stewards for responsable and non-impactful recreational activities in the National Seashore and have been supportive of us. It is the Seashore Superintendent alone who has the power to enact the ban or reverse it, and he has chosen to ignore any input from locals who live in the towns that fall within the Seashore's boundaries. He claims our kites scare away nesting shorebirds so kitesurfing must be banned along the entire 40 miles of Atlantic shoreline. If you read the petition and the comments you'll understand how wrong West & Sasquatch are.

Thank you to Timbers, Kassak, and everyone else who has supported our right to kite in a safe & responsable manner. And please continue to help us get the word out. We probably have only one shot at this, and if we lose it could set a precedence for parks around the country.

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 290 Posts Durango Obsessed

Capekiter--

I don't think Sasquatch or others were trying to "throw Cape kiters under the bus". The original comment was aimed at all kite spots and it is important to remember to respect other users so kiting doesn't get a bad name.

Anyway, we support you.

Mtjustice100 · Since 14 Jun 2014 49 Posts

Yeah I bet the cape cod users are respectful and it's probably a small group. I certainly support you and will sign. I think west and squatch were just hinting at the fact that here in the northwest, gorge in particular, there are a TON of kiters, and some of them (small number) are lame, disrespectful kiters who could blow it for everyone. I dealt with similar stuff in skateboarding back in the day and it sucks when your playtime/recreation/ exercise becomes illegal.

capekiter · Since 16 Aug 2014 19 Posts

Totally understand. I think kiters everywhere have to fight the stigma of being the skaters of the ocean. One bad egg riding thru a swim area can ruin it for all of us.

Boston press picked up on our little lawsuit:http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/06/kitesurfers_battle_ban

teabagger · Since 15 Jun 2012 68 Posts **CGKA Member**

Signed, only 289 more needed to meet the goal, so also ----> BUMP