National Park Service Beach Access Report for May 26, 2006

Date: May 26, 2006
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Bodie Island District (Coquina Beach to Ramp 27) There are approximately 16.5 miles of ocean shoreline in the Bodie Island District (excluding Pea Island). There are currently no full beach closures due to resource closures or safety closures in the Bodie Island District. Approximately 1.6 miles of beach are closed for seasonal use in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo. (Open to pedestrian access only beginning May 15, 2006 for the summer season.)

Ramp 1- 0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area) Access status: Pedestrian access only. Area falls under seasonal closure.

0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 to Bodie Island Spit (including Ramp 4): Access status: Through access from Ramp 2 to Ramp 4. An ORV and pedestrian access corridor is open along the ocean shoreline to inlet sound side near Herbert Bonner (Oregon Inlet) Bridge. Some areas may experience access restrictions due to high tides or winds.

· Resource protection area is in the interior of Bodie Island Spit, south of Ramp 4. Plovers have been observed foraging in the area as well as displays protecting territory. Least terns arriving back at Oregon Inlet. American Oystercatchers nesting in the area.

Ramp 23-Ramp 27: Access status: Through access from Ramp 23 to Ramp 27. Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian use. · 1.4 miles South of Ramp 23: Resource protection area for Colonial Waterbirds (Least, Royal and Gull Billed Terns), which are nesting. Closure is 0.4 miles long and runs to dunes line. Over 100 mating pairs are present in the enclosure.

Hatteras Island District (Ramp 27 South to Hatteras Inlet) The Hatteras District has a total distance of 31.9 miles of ocean shoreline. Approximately 1.5 miles of beach are closed for full beach resource closures. Approximately 4.6 miles of beach are closed for safety closures. Approximately 11.5 miles of beach are closed for seasonal closures in front of the villages of Avon, Frisco, and Hatteras. (Open to pedestrian only beginning May 15, 2006)

Ramp 27-Ramp 30: Access status: Beach is open to ORV and Pedestrian access south of Ramp 27 for 1.4 miles. No through access to Ramp 30. · Resource protection area for American Oystercatcher and Colonial Waterbirds, nesting 0.3 miles south of Ramp 27. A majority of the closure is located west of the ORV corridor stakes. The closure is 400 feet wide and extends 100 feet towards the ocean in to the ORV corridor. ORV and pedestrian corridor will be maintained at this time. · American Oystercatcher protection area is 0.8 mile south of Ramp 27 was removed due to loss of nest. · American Oystercatcher closure 1.0 mile south of Ramp 27 was removed due to loss of nest. · Resource protection area for American Oystercatcher chicks, 1.4 miles south of Ramp 27. This is a full beach protection area. The area is 0.3 miles long.

Ramp 30-Ramp 34: Access status: Beach is open to ORV and Pedestrian access south of Ramp 30 to 0.5 miles north of Ramp 34. No through access to Ramp 34. · Safety closure between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34 has been reduced in length from 2.5 miles to 0.3 miles. · American Oystercatcher closure begins 1.05 miles north of Ramp 34. A pedestrian and ORV access corridor will be maintained at this time. · Least Tern colony is 0.5 miles north of Ramp 34. Pedestrian and ORV access is maintained at this time.

Ramp 34-Ramp 38: Access status: Beach is open to Pedestrian access only. Beach in front of Avon village is closed for seasonal pedestrian use only.

Ramp 38 to Ramp 43: Access status: Beach is open to ORV and Pedestrian access for 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38. Pedestrian access is open except resource closures.

· ORV safety closure starts 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38. · 1.5 miles south of Ramp 38, American Oystercatcher protection area is 400 feet by 100 feet and includes roadside, dune, and beach side. · Resource protection area starting 1.5 miles North of Buxton Village is approximately 0.6 mile long and includes roadside, dune, and beach side. American Oystercatchers and Least Terns use this area for nesting, breeding and foraging. American Oystercatcher chicks are in the area; will be monitored for signs of disturbance.

Ramp 43-Ramp 44: · Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline.

Ramp 44-Ramp 49: · Access is open between Ramp 44 and Cape Point via by-pass route; readjustment of resource closure with approximately 0.2 miles of shore line on the west/south side of Cape Point is closed. · Resource closure includes Piping Plover nest, Least and Common terns are showing courtship and scraping behavior and nesting. All birds are foraging, roosting, mating, and defending territory. · Access status: ORV and Pedestrian access is open 0.7 of a mile north from Ramp 45 and 2.0 miles north of Ramp 49. Approximately 0.7 mile of shoreline is closed to all access. Closure extends from dune line to shoreline.

Ramp 49- Ramp 55

1.3 miles south Frisco Pier: Access status: Non-ORV area. Pedestrian shoreline access is open. A minimum of 30 feet pedestrian shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

· Least terns are showing courtship, scraping behavior, and nesting

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet: Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the portions of the ocean shoreline, portions of Pole Road, and Cable Crossing. Soundside access is maintained to the “rip” area at the Spit. Resource protection closure restricts access on the soundside beginning approximately .8 mile south of Cable Crossing Road and oceanside of Hatteras Spit approximately 3 miles south of Ramp 55. · One resource protection area is located approximately 0.5 mile south of Ramp 55. Ensures protection of American Oystercatcher nesting habitat. · One resource protection area is located approximately 0.6 mile south of Ramp 55. This resource protection area is for breeding Piping Plovers. · One resource protection area is established approximately 0.8 miles south of Ramp 55. Enclosure protects American Oystercatcher nest and imminent chick hatching. Pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor presently exists.

Ocracoke Island District (all of Ocracoke Island excluding Ocracoke Village) As of 05/17/06 there are 3 resource protection enclosures erected in the Ocracoke Island District. Ocracoke Island has a total of 15.9 miles of ocean shoreline, approximately .3 miles of complete shoreline closure for resource protection. Approximately 3.5 miles of beach are closed for seasonal closures; this includes the guarded swim beach area. Approximately 4.2 miles of beach are closed for safety closures.

Ramp 59- Ramp 67: Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline. No through access to next ramp. · Safety closure starting 0.75 mile south of Ramp 59 to 0.75 miles north of Ramp 67 for a total of 4.2 miles closed to ORV use. Pedestrian access permitted except in resource protection areas. · Resource protection area is located 0.9 miles north of Ramp 67. The area is for protection of American Oystercatcher chicks; full beach closure in effect for 0.2 mile of shoreline.

Ramp 67-Ramp 70: Access status: Seasonal beach closure 0.25 miles south of Ramp 67 to 0.25 miles north of Ramp 70 restricts ORV access. Pedestrian access is open on the ocean side of protection area for a total of 3.5 miles closed to ORV use. Pedestrian access is permitted except in the resource posted areas, for a total of 3.5 miles. · Resource protection area is 1.9 miles north of Ramp 70. The Closure is approximately 600 ft. long by 100 ft. wide. This is a re-nesting attempt for the nest lost at 1.5 miles north of Ramp 70. The area is for American Oystercatcher nest; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

Ramp 70- Ramp 72 (South Point Road): Access status: ORV and pedestrian access is open from Ramp 72 south along ocean shoreline to inlet. · A pre-nesting closure protects breeding and territory of American Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers. Plovers have been observed foraging at the tideline. Access corridor follows the ocean shoreline to the inlet.

Temporary resource protection areas are necessary to protect threatened and endangered species and species of concern including Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Colonial Waterbirds (Terns and Skimmers), and sea turtles. Posted areas are closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and dogs.