B.K. Barringer, DIFF Club President has been selected to serve as a member of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan Public Outreach Advisory Committee.
The committee's purpose is to make the public aware that coastal habitat protection plans are being developed.
The committee was formed by the N.C. Coastal Federation.
It will be involved in educating the public about the reasons for developing the plans and possible management alternatives; engage the public in suggesting and commenting on management options to included in the plan; and include the public in evaluating management recommendations.
The N.C. General Assembly passed the Fisheries Reform Act in August 1997. One section of the Act requires preparation of coastal habitat protection plans (CHPP) by the Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the plan is the long- term enhancement of the coastal fisheries associated with each habitat.
Three regulatory commissions (Environmental Management, Coastal Resources and Marine Fisheries) will adapt the plans and enact rules implementing them. The recommendations are to be to the General Assembly by July 2004.
The six primary habitats identified are the water column, shell bottom, submerged aquatic vegetation wetlands, soft bottoms and ocean hard bottoms.
The process will include public meetings beginning in May 2003. Two rounds of meetings will be held in coastal counties and in Raleigh.
Barringer was selected for the committee because of his involvement with the DIFF Club and his interest in preserving our coastal resources. Frank Tursi, club member, now employed by the N.C. Coastal Federation as the Lookout Coast Keeper submitted the nomination.
DIFF Club members are encouraged to attend the public meetings and have a say regarding the implementation of new regulations that will have an effect on the environment and resources on Core Banks South.
The DIFF Club has provided a heart defibrillator for use at the Great Island Camp on South Core Banks of the Cape Lookout Seashore Park.
The presentation was made to Ronnie Willis of Alger Willis Fishing Camp during the Club's annual surf fishing tournament, on the island Sept 26-29. Bob Vogel, Park Superintendent, attended the presentation. The DIFF Club provided the defibrillator in memory of Club director Ron White, who recently died of a heart attack. Mr. White had many friends in the Club and was active in Club projects on the island. His son, Adam White, now a Club director, represented his family at the presentation.
B.K. Barringer, club President said he hoped the defibrillator was never needed. "However, if it saves one life, it has served its purpose," he said. "Over the years I have been coming to the island, I have given CPR to a man who didn't make it."
"We also lost a Club member, Glen Bibey, who suffered a fatal heart attack several years ago while fishing on Thanksgiving weekend at the weather tower," he continued. "I was surprised at the number of people on the island that day who had medical training and tried to help Glen. His chances would have been better if a defibrillator had been available."
Mr. Willis said that many of the caretaker personnel and ferry captains are certified to operate the equipment. Others will be trained and certified.
The defibrillator will be kept at the caretakers' quarters at Alger Willis Fishing Camp on the island.
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