Currituck County has joined Dare County in opposing an injunction that would prohibit vehicular access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches.

Currituck's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to adopt a resolution that opposes the injunction, which would prevent vehicular access to affected beaches. The injunction was filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Defenders of the Wildlife and the Audubon Society. The two environmental groups, along with the U.S. National Park Service, are trying to protect the piping plover bird, sea turtle and other endangered species.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which includes beaches in Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Hatteras Spit, North Ocracoke and Southern Ocracoke, is managed by the National Park Service, but the resolution states that it actually belongs to the people of the United States.

The National Park Service has appointed a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, which has been tasked with developing an Off Road Vehicle plan. The resolution asks that the SELC not be allowed to prematurely close vehicular access until the NRC completes its mission.

In signing the resolution, Currituck joins Dare County, the state of North Carolina and the U.S. Justice Department. The commissioners said Monday that they believe closing the beaches to traffic would have a detrimental effect on Dare and Currituck's tourism industry, which includes surf fishing, beach driving, surfing, swimming and birding. And Board Chairman Barry Nelms said he believes the issue of beach traffic is important and that if prohibited would cause irrevocable harm. He urged citizens to write their elected officials ask them to stop "big brother from coming in and taking over."

Commissioner Owen Etheridge agreed with Nelms, saying he was concerned that if the environmental groups succeed, they would next set their sights on Currituck.