Seashore Night Driving Routes Reopen to ORV Use on September 16

Date: September 14, 2012
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

Acting Superintendent Darrell Echols announced today that beginning Sunday, September 16 (at midnight) ORV routes will reopen to night driving where no turtle nests remain or to the first posted closure in that route.In accordance with the park's new ORV Management Plan, from September 16 to November 15, night driving is allowed on ORV routes, or portions thereof, with no turtle nests remaining.A permit is required for any off-road vehicle use in Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

 During the 2012 sea turtle nesting season, 222 nests were identified on National Seashore beaches.Of this record breaking number, a total of approximately 60 remain to date.Visitors should note they will encounter sea turtle nest protection areas in effect parkwide.Closure conditions may change in the field on short notice and these posted protection areas are closed to all ORV, pedestrian and pet entry. On-site signage of a closed area will be clearly marked in the field with "symbolic fencing" consisting of wooden or carsonite posts, closure signs, string and black filter fencing.

ORV routes that will open to night driving September 16, 2012 are:

• North of Ramp 4
• South of Ramp 44
• West of Ramp 49
• the Pole Road to Hatteras Inlet
• South of Ramp 67

As a reminder, on November 1, 2012, the seasonally closed village beaches (Tri-villages of Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo, Avon, Ocracoke Day Use Area) reopen to ORV use under the terms of the new Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Pets are strictly prohibited in posted resource protection areas and must be physically restrained at all times on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.

For further information, please call [phone] ext. 148 or check the Google Earth map at:http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm

-NPS-