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Line in the Sand Feedback

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Thanks to all of you who have e-mailed me or telephoned me about the WRAL Focal Point documentary "Line in the Sand." There was obviously great interest in the topic. The 30 minute program on the problems of beach erosion and rising sea level on the Outer Banks was the strong ratings winner in its 7:00P.M. time slot last night. I'd like to salute producer Clay Johnson and Jay Jennings for some excellent work. I also appreciated the opportunity to use some of my music for the documentary.

The program pointed out that major sections of the Outer Banks could be under water within our lifetime if current conditions continue. We interviewed ECU geologist Stan Riggs, several NC DOT officials and various tourists and lovers of the coastal region.

Here are some of the comments we have received so far:


Very interesting, informative and scary piece on the Outer Banks last
evening!! In our over 33 years in Cary, we've visited that area stem to stern and
love it all. From my personal favorite of the sunrises to being able to share the
Wright Bros. history with the grandsons last year to spending several days/nights at
Ocracoke chaperoning a bus load of senior citizens ~ it's such a valuable
area.....!! I do hope our politicians get busy with some 'action' toward preserving and
protecting the entire length of it with good, sensible access 'from stem to stern'
(Kay Struffolino)


"Line in the Sand" was a well done piece. Thanks very much. When I transferred to ECU years ago I took an Oceanography course under Stan Riggs. Interesting fellow. His message hasn't changed. The Banks are a living, breathing creation and HWY 101 easily could be resurrected in the wake of most any nor'easter bent on shifting its sands.
(Ben Spain)


I am a teacher in Vance County and I teach Oceanography. I missed the first part of your special Focal Point. Will there be a rebroadcast? If so, when. I enjoy your programs. You have a genuine admiration for the environment and it shows in your programs. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

(Justyn Spencer)


It is instructive that you begin your story with mention of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

I worked with Hugh Morton and many other North Carolinians to save that world famous landmark in its powerfully beautiful place by the sea. We failed, of course, in a large part because of Stan Riggs' and his "ilkey's" insistence that erosion it natural and that we should retreat from our shorelines.

These same folks are continuing to allow our coastal resources to fall into the sea from the what is mostly manmade erosion. Their failure to acknowledge this well documented causal factor brings their scientific integrity into question and constitutes what Mark Twain called the "silent lie". We are losing habitat, not just high dollar real estate. As such, we must mitigate such unnatural erosion as we would any other manmade environmental problem.

(Jerry Berne)