National Park Service Beach Access Report for June 2, 2006

Date: June 2, 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). Approximately 0.0 miles of beach are closed for full beach resource closures in The Bodie Island District. Approximately 0.0 miles of beach are closed for ORV safety closures. Approximately 1.6 miles of beach are closed for seasonal use.

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 on the beach 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. · Bump out area 2 miles south of first resource closure sign is for the protection of an American Oystercatcher nest.

Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo: Access status: Beach in front of villages is pedestrian access only. Area falls under seasonal Closure.

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 1.7 miles of beach are closed for full beach resource closures. Approximately 5.2 miles of beach are closed for ORV safety closures. Approximately 11.5 miles of beach are closed for seasonal closures. 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 600 feet wide and extends 100 feet towards the ocean in to the ORV corridor. An 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 ORV access to Ramp 34. · Safety closure between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34 has been reduced in length from 1.9 miles to 0.2 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.

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. No through ORV access to next ramp. · 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 ocean beach and the by-pass route. Resource closure includes a 60 foot bump out for a tern colony. Bump out is 0.15 mile long. Visitors in the area are asked to reduce vehicle speed to 10 mph and keep all dogs on a leash of six feet or less. · Readjustment of resource closure with approximately 0.6 miles of shore line on the west/south side of Cape Point is closed for piping plover chicks. · Resource closure includes Piping Plover nest, Least and Common terns and black skimmers. All birds are foraging, roosting, mating, nesting, and defending territory. Approximately 175 birds are in the colony. · Access status: ORV and Pedestrian access is open north from Ramp 45 and from Salt Pond Road, and 2.0 miles north of Ramp 49. Approximately 0.8 mile of shoreline is closed to all access. · 2 miles north of Ramp 49, tern colony nesting area. Closure is 0.1 miles long and extends 100 feet into the ORV corridor.

Ramp 49- Ramp 55 Access status: Beach is open to ORV and Pedestrian access for 2 miles south of Ramp 49. Pedestrian access is open to Ramp 55. No through ORV access to next ramp.

· 1.3 miles south Frisco Pier is a Least Tern colony. Pedestrian shoreline access is open. A minimum of 30 feet pedestrian shoreline access corridor will be maintained at this time.

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. Safety Closure restricts ORV access on ocean side approximately 0.3 mile towards inlet due to high tides and narrow beach. Soundside access is maintained to “rip” area at the spit. Resource Protection closure restricts all access on the inlet side and ocean side of Hatteras Spit approximately .7 miles south of ramp 55.

· One resource protection area is established approximately 0.5 mile south of Ramp 55. Closure is reduced for re-nesting attempt. · 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. · One resource protection area is established approximately 0.8 miles south of Ramp 55. Enclosure protects American Oystercatcher nest and imminent chick hatching. Closure extends from dunes to ocean tide line

Ocracoke Island District (all of Ocracoke Island excluding Ocracoke Village) Ocracoke Island has a total of 15.9 miles of ocean shoreline. 0.2 miles are closed to all access for resource protection area.

Ramp 59- Ramp 67: Access status: Pedestrian and ORV access is open along the ocean shoreline. No through access to next ramp. · ORV 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 0.9 miles north of Ramp 67. The Area is for protection of American Oystercatcher; Full beach closure in effect for 0.2 mile of shoreline. · Resource protection area 3.2 miles southwest of Ramp 59 for American Oystercatcher. · Resource protection area 2.4 miles NE of Ramp 67 for American Oystercatcher.

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. · 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. · Resource protection area 1.7 miles north of Ramp 70. Closure is 150 feet by 30 feet for least tern colony.

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.