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S. 486 113th Congress Senate

Preserving Public Access to Cape Hatteras Beaches Act

Official title: A bill to authorize pedestrian and motorized vehicular access in Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 7, 2013 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of the InteriorEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Motor vehiclesNorth CarolinaParks, recreation areas, trailsPedestrians and bicyclingSeashores and lakeshoresWildlife conservation and habitat protection
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 10, 2013
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Wyden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 113-102.
Sep 10, 2013
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 180.
Jun 18, 2013
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Apr 23, 2013
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-27.
Mar 7, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mar 7, 2013
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 10, 2013

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 180.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Preserving Public Access to Cape Hatteras Beaches Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to review and modify wildlife buffers in the Cape Haterras National Seashore Recreational Area in North Carolina.

Requires the Secretary, in modifying such wildlife buffers, to: (1) ensure that they are of the shortest duration and cover the smallest area necessary to protect a species, and (2) designate pedestrian and vehicle corridors around areas of the National Seashore closed because of wildlife buffers to allow access to areas that are open.

Requires the Secretary to determine appropriate buffer protections for species that are not listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, but that are identified for protection under state law.

Instructs the Secretary to undertake a public process to consider the following changes to the final rule: (1) opening beaches at the National Seashore that are closed to night driving restrictions, (2) extending seasonal off-road vehicle routes for additional periods in the Fall and Spring if off-road vehicle use would not create resource management problems at the National Seashore, and (3) modifying the size and location of vehicle-free areas.

Requires the Secretary to construct new vehicle access points and roads at the National Seashore: (1) as expeditiously as practicable, and (2) in accordance with applicable management plans for the National Seashore.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 486: Preserving Public Access to Cape Hatteras Beaches Act. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-486/
MLA
"S. 486: Preserving Public Access to Cape Hatteras Beaches Act." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-486/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 486, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-486/.
Markdown link
[S. 486: Preserving Public Access to Cape Hatteras Beaches Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-486/)
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