Currituck and Camden Citizens Against the OLF is a non-profit organization comprising the citizens of Currituck and Camden Counties in Northeastern North Carolina. We wish to make the citizens of Currituck and Camden Counties aware of the economic, environmental and quality of life issues involved with an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) that would negatively affect all aspects of residing in Northeastern North Carolina.
The opposition to the Hales Lake OLF site is NOT an indicator that the citizens of Currituck and Camden Counties do not support our military. Quite to the contrary! Our opposition to the site attests to our military-friendliness. Many of our members are current and former military personnel. Others are the children and grandchildren of military personnel. The Hales Lake site, located on the Currituck/Camden County border near Moyock, is simply the wrong place to locate an OLF, and doing so would only result in future hardships for both the Navy and the residents of Currituck and Camden Counties. With a project as important and extensive as a Navy training field, the citizens of Currituck and Camden Counties believe it needs to be done right the FIRST time!
Currituck and Camden Counties in Northeastern North Carolina are two of the fastest growing counties both in North Carolina and in the United States. Both counties have experienced double-digit population growth percentage over the last decade. Another fast-growing area, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County, is less than 10 miles from the site. In addition, the Hales Lake site consists of peat soils at a depth of up to ten feet. These peat soils are known wildfire hazards. Recent peat fires in the vicinity attest to the dangers associated with these soils. The site is also home to thousands of migratory wildfowl due to its geographic position within the Atlantic Flyway and its close proximity to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge; the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; Currituck Sound; and the new Dismal Swamp State Park. And finally, the Hales Lake site is prone to severe flooding. Hence the name "Hales Lake."
Simply put, due to a rapidly growing surrounding population and major environmental issues, the Hales Lake site is the WRONG place for an OLF.
Our Mission Statement:
We are committed to maintaining our "Sportsman's Paradise" by creating a sense of community, historical heritage, and protection of our environment.
We want to preserve a quality of life along with managed growth, balanced business development and an understanding and respect of our environment.