Vote on beach driving to come this week

HATTERAS, N.C. (WAVY) - Driving on Hatteras Island is up for debate in Washington on Monday.

The House Committee on Rules is scheduled to hold a hearing on the Conservation and Economic Growth Act (H.R. 2578), a bill that includes measures that would overturn beach driving restrictions on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Supporters of the bill say they want access to the beach.  The bill would change the rules that were put in place earlier this year.  Those rules restrict areas that you're able to drive on the beach on Hatteras.

Currently, you need a permit to drive on the beach.  Parts of the beach are off limits to vehicles during certain months.  Others parts of the beach are restricted year round.  These rules were set by the National Park Service to protect nesting wildlife, like sea turtles and birds.

Supporters of driving on the beach say the bill protects jobs and small businesses.  They also say the new rules are unfair to the people who live there.

The Rules Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing at 5 p.m. Monday evening.  The House is expected to vote on the bill this week.