Beach Access Report for May 5, 2006

Date: May 5, 2006
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Bodie Island District (Coquina Beach to Ramp 27) As of 04/27/06 there is one enclosure erected in the Bodie Island District. There is approximately 16.5 miles of ocean shoreline in the Bodie Island District (excluding Pea Island). Approximately 16.5 miles of beach are open for pedestrian access, 13.7 miles of beach are open for ORV and pedestrian access, and 2.8 miles of beach are closed for other concerns such as jurisdiction.

Bodie Island spit: · Access status: 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. Up to 10 plovers have been observed foraging in the area.

Hatteras Island District (Ramp 27 South to Hatteras Inlet) As of 05/03/06 there are 6 enclosures erected in the Hatteras Island District. The Hatteras District has a total distance of 31.9 miles of ocean shoreline; 16.9 miles of beach are open to ORV and pedestrian access, 14.7 miles of beach are open for pedestrian access but closed to ORVs for safety closures, such as narrow beaches. Approximately 0.3 of a mile of beach are closed to all access for resource protection areas.

South of Ramp 27: · Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open. · American Oystercatcher protection area is 0.8 mile south of Ramp 27 has been removed due to loss of nest.

1.5 miles South of Ramp 38: · Access status: Non-ORV area. Pedestrian shoreline access is open. · American Oystercatcher protection area is 400 feet by 100 feet and includes roadside, dune, and beach side; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time

1.5 miles North of Buxton Village: · Access status: Non-ORV area. Pedestrian shoreline access is open. · Resource protection area 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; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time

Cape Point Area: · Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline between Ramp 44 and Cape Point via by-pass route; 0.2 miles of shore line on the west/south side of Cape Point is closed. · A resource protection area is in the interior of Cape Point area and 0.2 mile of shoreline approximately 0.6 miles west/south of Cape Point. Birds are foraging, roosting, and defending territory. Both Piping Plovers and Colonial Waterbirds are in the area.

South Beach Area: · Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline and via the inter-dunal road. · The resource protection area 0.3 miles south of ramp 45 is expanded towards ocean tide line; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

Hatteras Inlet: · Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline, portions of Pole Road, and Cable Crossing. Safety Closure restricts ORV access on ocean side approximately 0.3 mile towards inlet due to high tides and narrow beach. · One resource protection area is established approximately 0.5 mile south of Ramp 55. Enclosure protects American Oystercatcher; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time. · One resource protection area is established approximately 0.6 mile south of ramp 55 and runs south to the end of Hatteras Spit. This resource protection area is for nesting American Oystercatchers and breading Piping Plovers; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

Ocracoke Island District (all of Ocracoke Island excluding Ocracoke village) As of 05/05/06 there are 3 enclosures erected in the Ocracoke Island District. Ocracoke Island has a total of 15.9 miles of ocean shoreline. There is a total of 10.5 miles of ocean shoreline open for ORV and pedestrian access. An additional 5.4 miles of ocean shoreline is open to pedestrians only due to ORV safety closure for narrow beaches.

Ramp 67: · Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline. · Resource protection area is 0.9 miles north of Ramp 67. The Area is for protection of American Oystercatcher; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

Ramp 70: · Access status: ORV and Pedestrian access is open on the ocean side of protection area. · Resource protection area is 1.5 miles north of Ramp 70. The Closure is approximately 600 ft. long by 100 ft. wide. The area is for American Oystercatcher nest; a minimum of 30 feet pedestrian and ORV shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

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. 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.