Is Cape Hatteras a National Seashore or a Recreational Area?
Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established as the nation’s first National Seashore in 1937. In 1940, Congress passed a bill that authorized hunting on the Seashore and added the words “Recreational Area,” but did not change the basic mandates for the park. Ultimately, the legal obligation of the Park Service to protect the natural resources of the Seashore is unaffected by its name.
