Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beach Access Report for August 18 2011

Date: August 18, 2011
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111

National Park Service Beach Access Report for August 18, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2011

CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are being managed under the terms of the U.S. District Court approved consent decree. Park visitors can expect to see resource closures for breeding shorebirds in effect to varying degrees from mid-March to mid-to-late-August and sea turtle nesting closures may occur until early November.Shorebird pre-nesting closures have already been established at the inlets, Cape Point, and South Beach.As soon as subsequent breeding activity is observed, the consent decree requires that automatic, non-discretionary buffers be implemented.

UPDATE:

Bodie Island Spit:The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access 2.0 miles south of Ramp 4 to Oregon Inlet.There is an ORV and pedestrian access corridor to the north side of the Bait Pond.There is 0.3 of a mile of inlet shoreline for "pedestrian only" at the southwestern tip of the Spit near the bridge.

As of May 1, 2011, all Seashore beaches are closed to off-road vehicles between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in accordance with the court-ordered consent decree.The 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. prohibition on beach driving will remain in effect until November 15, 2011.

In addition, the annual seasonal closure of village beaches to off-road vehicle (ORV) use within the National Seashore went into effect at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2011.The beach driving speed limit is reduced from 25 mph to 15 mph in all locations open to ORV use, unless otherwise posted, from May 15 – September 15.The ORV closures are established in village beach areas that receive heavy pedestrian use, including areas adjacent to Coquina Beach and the villages of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

The Beach Access Report is issued every Thursday throughout the breeding season, and updated news will be reported weekly in bold, BLUE print.*All distances are approximate. The mileage is determined on a weekly basis using GIS data and is divided geographically by island this year.The weekly Beach Access Report is complemented by a Google Earth map, which is updated up to 5 times per week as access conditions change. The latest Google Earth beach access map can be viewed at:https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm.For more information, check the National Seashore's website at: https://www.nps.gov.

Note: Closure conditions may change in the field on short notice.On-site signage, rather than the Beach Access Report or Google Earth map, is the most accurate and current indication of what is open or closed to the public. Closed areas are clearly marked in the field with "symbolic fencing" consisting of wooden or carsonite posts, closure signs, string, and flagging tape.Knowledge of tidal changes and caution should be exercised while traveling the beaches of the park.Pets are strictly prohibited in resource protection areas.Elsewhere, pets must be physically restrained at all time on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length. For more information, please contact: e-mail us or call 252-473-2111, ext. 148.

Bodie Island (Ramp 1 to Oregon Inlet; 6.0 miles of ocean shoreline)

Mileage Summary: 4.5 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 1.5 miles open to pedestrians only; 0 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.Note: Green Island, southwest of Oregon Inlet bridge, is closed to public entry.

Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)(1.2 miles)

Status:The beach is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access.

Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 (2.4 miles)

Status:Ramp 2 is closed for ORV access.North of Ramp 4, the beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for approximately 2.4 miles.

Ramp 4 – Oregon Inlet (Bodie Island Spit: 2.0 miles)

Status:The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access 2.0 miles south of Ramp 4 to Oregon Inlet. There is an ORV and pedestrian access corridor to the north side of the Bait Pond.There is 0.3 of a mile of inlet shoreline for "pedestrian only" at the southwestern tip of the Spit near the bridge.

Hatteras Island (Ramp 23 South to Hatteras Inlet; 42.8 miles of ocean shoreline)

Mileage Summary:20.4 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 17.2 miles open to pedestrians only; 4.0 miles of "limited access;" and 1.2 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.

Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo - Ramp 23: (Pea Island NWR boundary to Ramp 23 – 3.0 miles)

Status:The beach in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo is closed to ORV access.The annual seasonal village closure is in effect from May 15 through September 15, 2011. The beach in front of the villages is open for pedestrian access for 3.0 miles.The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 0.3 of a mile north of Ramp 23.

Ramp 23 - Ramp 27:(4.3 miles)

Status:The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 2.0 miles south of Ramp 23 where two full beach closures for sea turtle nest protection areas preclude through ORV and pedestrian access.There is approximately 1.6 miles of "limited access" between the two closures.

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.1 miles)

Status:Ramp 27 is closed to ORV access and pedestrian access.There is ORV and pedestrian access for 0.1 miles north of Ramp 30 where a full beach closure for a sea turtle nest protection area precludes access.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34:(4.3 miles)

Status:There is through ORV and pedestrian between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:(3.9 miles)

Status:The beach in front of Avon Village is closed to ORV access.The annual seasonal village closure is in effect from May 15 through September 15, 2011.The beach in front of Avon Village is open for pedestrian access for 3.9 miles.

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43:(6.0 miles)

Status:The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 2.3 miles south of Ramp 38 and 0.4 of a mile north of Ramp 43.There is pedestrian access 1.0 mile north of Buxton Village and from Buxton Village beaches south for approximately 2.8 miles to Ramp 43.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:(0.4 of a mile)

Status:There is through ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 43 to Ramp 44.

Ramp 44 - Ramp 45:(Ramp 44 to tip of Cape Point: 3.4 miles)

Status:ORV and pedestrian access is open from Ramp 44 south along the east side of Cape Point and west for through access to Ramp 45.The Interdunal Road and Ramp 45 are open to ORV and pedestrian access.Salt Pond Road is open.

Ramp 45 - Ramp 49:(South Beach: 3.4 miles)

Status:Ramp 45 is open. There is ORV and pedestrian access 3.0 miles west of Ramp 45 where a full beach closure for a sea turtle nest protection area precludes through access to Ramp 49.

Ramp 49 - Ramp 55:(5.9 miles; includes Sandy Bay soundside parking area)

Status:The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 0.3 of a mile northeast and 1.1 of a mile south of Ramp 49.There is pedestrian, but not ORV, access from the Frisco village line to 0.1 of a mile east of Ramp 55.

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet: (Hatteras Inlet Spit: 2.2 miles)

Status:ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 55 south/west for 2.4 miles and approximately 0.3 of a mile west around the tip of Hatteras Inlet to the soundshore.The Pole Road is open to ORV and pedestrians.The Spur Road is open to ORV and pedestrian shoreline access but due to recent shoreline erosion there is limited parking for ORVs. Cable Crossing is open with limited parking for ORVs and soundside access for pedestrians.

Ocracoke Island (20.5 miles of ocean shoreline)

Mileage Summary:9.3 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 9.9 miles open to pedestrians only; 1.3 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.

Hatteras Inlet (North Ocracoke Spit) to Ramp 59:(1.4 miles)

Status:Access is open from Ramp 59 north to the inlet.ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline for 0.8 mile north of Ramp 59 and pedestrian access is open to the inlet shoreline.

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67: (7.8 miles)

Status:The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 1.0 mile south of Ramp 59 and 0.9 of a mile north of Ramp 67 where a full beach closure for a sea turtle nest protection area precludes through ORV and pedestrian access.A total of approximately 6.3 miles of pedestrian access (via NC 12) is located between the two closures.

Ramp 67 - Ramp 70 (includes Ramp 68): (3.9 miles; includes Ramp 68)

Status: The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 0.6 of a mile between Ramp 67 and Ramp 68. The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 0.5 of a mile south of Ramp 68 and ORV access for 0.1 of a mile north of Ramp 70.

Ramp 70 - Ramp 72: (1.8 miles)

Status:There is through ORV and pedestrian access between Ramp 70 and Ramp 72.

Ramp 72 to South Point:(2.6 miles)

Status:The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for approximately 2.3 miles south of Ramp 72.There is also a "pedestrians only" corridor for approximately 0.2 miles along the inlet shoreline.

Temporary resource protection areas are necessary to protect threatened and endangered species and species of concern including piping plovers, American oystercatchers, colonial waterbirds (3 species of terns and black skimmers), and sea turtles. Posted areas are closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and pets.