National Park Service Beach Access Report for May 8, 2008

Date: May 9, 2008
Contact: National Park Service, [phone]

*Bold print = updated news.

**Report resource protection area violations to:

     Dare CentralCommunicationsCenter: 252-473-3444

     Hyde CountyDispatch: 252-928-3171

     Ocracoke Sheriff Dept: 252-928-7301

Certain portions of beaches may be impassible at high tide and some ramps and interdunal routes still have standing water on them. Visitors should pay attention to tide changes and exercise caution while traveling the beaches and interdunal routes of the park.

On April 30, 2008, U.S. District Curt Judge Terrence W. Boyle signed a Consent Decree that results in the settlement and dismissal of the lawsuit involving the Seashore’s Interim Protected Species Management Strategy. The Consent Decree adopts the NPS Interim Strategy, with a number of modifications including a prohibition on night driving on Seashore beaches between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. from May 1 through November 15. Between those dates, the public is expected to remove ORVs from the beach by 10:00 p.m. and may not enter the beach with vehicles until 6 a.m.; however, between September 16 and November 15, NPS may issue permits to authorize night driving between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The night driving permitting process will be developed and available by September 16. No fee or limit on the number of 2008 night driving permits is anticipated. 

The Consent Decree states that NPS shall establish specified buffers for observed breeding behavior of piping plovers, least terns, other colonial waterbirds, and American oystercatchers. Breeding behavior includes, but is not limited to, territorial behavior, courtship, mating, confirmed scrapes, or other nest building activities; for breeding adult piping plover foraging outside of an established closure; and for nests and chicks of all species mentioned above. The buffers apply to both ORVs and pedestrians. The buffer distance for the most sensitive species in the area shall be used.  

                       TABLE OF RELEVANT ORV AND PEDESTRIAN BUFFERS

Species	Breeding Behavior/Nest Buffer (m)	Unfledged Chick Buffer (m)
Piping Plover	50	1000 (ORV only) 300 (Pedestrian only)
Least Tern	100	200
Other Colonial Waterbirds	200	200
American Oystercatcher	150	200

The Consent Decree states that if NPS observes prenesting and/or breeding behavior of colonial waterbirds, piping plovers, or American oystercatchers, NPS shall establish the appropriate buffer within 8 daylight hours. Upon discovery of an active nest or chicks that are outside an existing closure, protective measures shall be taken immediately to close the area and establish the buffers described above, and the related fencing around the site shall be installed as soon as NPS staff can reasonably be mobilized, but always within 6 daylight hours. As a result of these required buffer distances and the time frames within which NPS must install them, beach access status can change quickly.

Pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet.

Note: *** All distances are approximate***

Bodie Island District (CoquinaBeach to Ramp 27)

There are approximately 16.5 miles of ocean shoreline are open to pedestrian access and approximately 9.6 miles are open to ORV access in the Bodie Island District (excluding PeaIsland).

Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (CoquinaBeachArea)

The beach is open for pedestrian access but no ORV access for 1.6 miles.  

Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 to BodieIslandSpit

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline for 0.2 mile south of Ramp 4. There is no through access to Oregon Inlet.

·        A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established at Bodie Island Spit the week of

March 24, 2008. It includes interior areas of the spit and the “pond” shoreline. Access to pond from the northeast side is closed as part of the RESOURCE protection area. An ocean/inlet shoreline access corridor is currently being maintained (weather dependent) above the high tide line for ORV and pedestrian access to the southwest side of the inlet near BonnerBridge. A modification of the existing closure was installed on April 17, for American Oystercatchers. This creates a full beach closure of the small strip of beach that runs parallel to the HerbertC.BonnerBridge and there is no shoreline access to the Bait Pond.

·        A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established on GreenIsland during the week of April 7th. The island is closed to landing of any craft.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established in a non-ORV area on the north side of the Bait Pond (west side of the canal) on April 26 for American Oystercatchers. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.2 of a mile south of Ramp 4 and extends for 0.25 of a mile for American Oystercatchers. This is a full beach closure that restricts access to Bodie Island Spit. .

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.3 miles south of Ramp 4 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure (within a closure) for American Oystercatchers.

Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo: (north of Ramp 23 for 3 miles to PeaIsland NWR boundary)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access.

Ramp 23 - Ramp 27: (4.3 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 1.9 miles north of Ramp 27 and 1.5 miles south of Ramp 23.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.5 miles south of Ramp 23 and 1.9 miles north of Ramp 27 and extends for 200 meters. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

Hatteras Island District (Ramp 27 South to Hatteras Inlet)

The Hatteras District has a total distance of 31.9 miles of ocean shoreline. There are 23.7miles of ocean shoreline open to pedestrians and 14.0miles open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 6.8 miles of safety closures. 

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.2 miles)

Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline for 0.1 of mile south of Ramp 27 and 0.6 mile north of Ramp 30. Currently there is no through access for ORVs between the ramps due to resource closures. A 1.5 mile stretch between the resource closures is open to pedestrian access but not ORV access. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.1 mile south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.2 mile south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 1.0 mile south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.6 mile north of Ramp 30 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34: (4.3 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 30 south for 3.8 miles. Currently there is no through access for ORVs between the ramps due to a resource closure.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.5 mile north of Ramp 34 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.2 mile north of Ramp 34 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38: (4.0 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 34 to Ramp 38. Currently, there is through ORV and pedestrian access. On May 15 the seasonal village closure goes into effect and will prevent ORV traffic in front of the village. 

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43: (6.0 miles)

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 1.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38. Currently there is no through access for ORVs between Ramp 38 and Ramp 43.  Pedestrian access is open.

·     A SAFETY closure is 3.8 miles long, beginning 1.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38 to 0.4 of a mile north of Ramp 43, due to narrow beaches. This section is open to pedestrian access, but not ORV access.

·   A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.7 of a mile north of the village of Buxton and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. This section is within a SAFETY CLOSURE which is not open to ORV access and pedestrian access is restricted through the 0.25 mile closure.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:  (0.3 of a mile)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access onto the beach at Ramp 43 with no access along the ocean shoreline to the north or south due to resource protection closures. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins south of Ramp 43 and extends for 0.26 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. The closure was expanded 200 feet to the south on April 28 for nesting/territorial behavior.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 50 feet north of Ramp 43 parking lot and extends for 0.25 of a mile for American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins north of Ramp 43 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

Ramp 44 - Ramp 45 (Cape Point): (2.4 miles)

Ramp 44 has been re-opened and there is ORV and pedestrian access to the south for 0.6 of a mile. 

·        ORV and pedestrian access is open south of Ramp 44 with no through access to Cape Point.  A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established the week of March 24, 2008. It included interior areas of Cape Point and a complete shoreline closure that started approximately 0.25 miles south/west of Cape Point and ends approximately 0.3 east of Ramp 45. The total closure distance is approximately 1.0 mile in length. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established between Ramp 44 and the Salt Pond Bypass Road. This is a 150’ buffer for foraging piping plover.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.6 miles south of Ramp 44. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony that prevents ORV and pedestrian traffic on the East side of Cape Point. 

Ramp 45 to Ramp 49 (SouthBeach): (3.4 miles)

Ramp 45 is open and accessible via the interdunal road from Ramp 44.

Salt Pond Road is closed due to a RESOURCE protection area.  Currently there is no through access for ORVs or pedestrians between the ramps due to resource closures. There is ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 49 east for approximately 1.7miles. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area (prenesting area) was established the week of March 24, 2008. It included upper beach areas that encompass the dunes and extends towards the ocean. On April 21, a modification (150 foot shoreline section) of this prenesting area was installed for American Oystercatchers. This is a full beach closure.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.50 mile west of Ramp 45 and extends for 0.25 of a mile along the shoreline. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. 

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 mile west of Ramp 45 and extends for 0.25 of a mile along the shoreline. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.9 miles East of Ramp 49 and extends for 150 meters. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony and a pair of American Oystercatchers.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established directly in front of Ramp 45 which closes Ramp 45 and the interdunal road. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.7 miles East of Ramp 49 and extends for 150 meters. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony and a pair of American Oystercatchers.

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

The beach is open to ORV for 1.2 miles west of Ramp 49 and 0.1 of a mile east of Ramp 55 (in front of Frisco andHatterasVillages). Currently, there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp 55 but pedestrian access is open from Ramp 49 to Ramp 55.

·        The beach in front of FriscoVillage to HatterasVillage is open to pedestrian access, but not ORV access for 4.7 miles.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 50 yards south of the SandyBay parking lot on the soundside and extends for 0.25 of a mile for American Oystercatchers. 

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:  (2.7 miles)

ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 55 west to 0.1 mile south/west of the southern exit of the Pole Road, where a RESOURCE protection area begins. Pole Road is open from Ramp 55 west to the Isabel overwash areas, where traffic is routed onto the beach due to a RESOURCE protection area. South of the overwash areas, the Pole Road is open. The Cable Crossing route is open to access along the sound shoreline. The Spur Road is open to access to the sound shoreline.

·        A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established at the Isabel overwash area from the sound shoreline to the ocean dune during the week of March 24, 2008. Ocean shoreline access is open past this area.

·        A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established the week of March 24, 2008 south of the southern exit of Pole Road. The area includes upper beach and interior areas south of Pole Road and a full ocean beach closure beginning approximately 0.1 mile south/west of the southern exit of Pole Road. The full beach closure is approximately 0.8 miles long and continues south/west around the tip of Hatteras Inlet, which encompasses the “Rip.”

·        A RESOURCE protection area for foraging piping plovers was established on the soundside, 0.1 mile southwest of where the Spur Road exits onto the sound shoreline on April 9. 

Ocracoke Island District

The Ocracoke Island District has a total distance of 16.3 miles of ocean shoreline.   There are 12.6 miles open to pedestrians and approximately 8.8 milesare open to ORV access. ORV use is restricted by a SAFETY closure of 5.2 miles long.

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67: (7.8 miles; includes North Ocracoke Spit)

There is no through ORV shoreline access between these two ramps. Pedestrian access is open.

·        A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established at North Ocracoke Spit the week of March 24, 2008. It includes interior areas of the spit and the ocean shoreline. An ocean/inlet shoreline access corridor is currently being maintained (weather dependent) above the high tide line for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 59 north for 0.9miles toward North Ocracoke Spit. There is no ORV or pedestrian access in the RESOURCE protection area.

·        A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 59 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. 

·        A SAFETY closure is 5.2 miles long, and begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.4 miles north of Ramp 67. This section is open to pedestrian access but not to ORV access.

Ramp 67 - Ramp 70 (includes Ramp 68):  (3.8 miles; includes Ramp 68)

    There is no through ORV shoreline access between these two ramps. Pedestrian access is open.

·        A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 mile south of Ramp 68 (or 1.5 miles north of Ramp 70) and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers. An expansion/modification of 200 feet to the north was installed on April 30 for observed breeding behavior.

Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 (1.8 miles) and Ramp 72 to South Ocracoke Spit (4.4 miles):

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 70 south along ocean shoreline, for approximately 0.2 of a mile south of Ramp 72. There is no through access to South Point.

·    A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established the week of March 24, 2008 that encompasses interior and soundside areas of the spit. There is ocean shoreline access for 2.6 miles from Ramp 72 south. On the soundside shoreline, 1.3 miles of shoreline is closed to ORV and pedestrian access. 

·    A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.2 mile south of Ramp 72. This is a 50 meter buffer along the ocean shoreline which precludes access to South Point. This is a full beach closure that extends for approximately 0.7 of a mile along the ocean shoreline for foraging piping plover.

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 pets. 

-NPS-