National Park Service Beach Access Report for November 15 2007

Date: November 19, 2007
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Weekly Up-date:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are open under winter seasonal beach conditions for off-road vehicles (ORV) access as described below. The Park operates and manages access under the Interim Strategy guidance. Knowledge of tidal changes and caution should be exercised while traveling the beaches of the park. Pets must be on at least a 6 foot leash at all times. The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association members, park staff and volunteers are conducting the annual fall Operation Beach Respect clean-up on Saturday, November 17, 2007. "Volunteer" a little of your time and help clean-up the beaches while enjoying the great outdoors this weekend!

** Blue text = updated news.

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).16.5 miles are open to pedestrians and 15.5 miles are open for ORV access.

Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)

A SAFETY beach closure is 1.0 miles long. The beach from the south boundary of the Town of Nags Head to Coquina Beach/Ramp 2 area is closed to ORV access but remains open for pedestrian access. From Ramp 2 south to Oregon Inlet is open for ORV and pedestrian access.

Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 to Bodie Island Spit

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline for 4.2 miles from Ramp 2 south to Oregon Inlet (Bodie Island Spit.) During rough ocean conditions and extreme high tides or winds with resulting erosion, access to Bodie Island Spit may not be accessible at times.

A RESOURCE protection area includes the interior areas of the spit and portions of the shoreline of the "pond." ORV access to Bodie Island Spit, Oregon Inlet and to the east end of the bait pond is open.

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

The beach areas in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo are open to ORV and pedestrian access.

Ramp 23 - Ramp 27 (4.3 miles):

Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline.

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 approximately 31.9 miles open to pedestrians and approximately 21.7 miles of beach are open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 10.2 miles of SAFETY closures. Through the week of November 18, as turtle nest "hatch window" dates approach, the visiting public can expect to see some additional full beach closures in this area.

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30 (2.2 miles):

Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34 (4.3 miles):

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38 (4.0 miles):

Currently, there is no through access for ORVs from Ramp 34 to Ramp 38. Pedestrian access is open.

The beach in front of the village of Avon is open to ORV and pedestrian access except for a SAFETY closure located 0.3 mile south of Avon Pier to Ramp 38. This 1.5 mile section is closed to ORV access but remains open to pedestrian access.

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43 (6.0 miles):

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 1.3 miles 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 begins 1.8 miles south of Ramp 38 to 0.4 mile north of Ramp 43. This closure distance is 4.0 miles. This section is closed to ORV access but remains open to pedestrian access.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44 (0.3 of a mile):

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline to Cape Point.

Ramp 44 - Ramp 49 (3.6 miles: includes Ramp 45):

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 44 south to Cape Point and from the Cape Point "hook" west through to Ramp 45. The Interdunal Road between Ramps 44 and 45 is open. The Salt Pond Road is open. Through November 20, there is one full beach closure in an area south of Ramp 44. The bypass south of Ramp 44 is open allowing ORV access around the nest.

Cape Point:

ORV and pedestrian access is open to Cape Point from Ramps 43 and 44, and south/west from the Cape Point "hook" west to Ramp 45.

A RESOURCE protection area (turtle nest site) is located approximately 0.5 mile south of Ramp 44. There is an ORV bypass and pedestrian access available behind the turtle nest site. The nest is within the expected hatch date. The bypass south of Ramp 44 is open allowing ORV access around the nest.

A RESOURCE protection area remains in effect in the interior area around Salt Pond.

South Beach:

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 45 to Ramp 49. The Interdunal Road is open to ORV and pedestrian access between Ramps 44 and 45. Salt Pond Road is open.

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

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 49 to the boundary of the Frisco andHatteras Village closure. Pedestrian access is open to Ramp 55.

A SAFETY closure in front of the villages of Frisco and Hatteras is located 1.2 miles west of Ramp 49 to 0.1 mile east of Ramp 55. The ORV closure, a distance of 4.7 miles long is open to pedestrian access.

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet (2.7 miles):

ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 55 south for approximately 2.6 miles. On October 30, an ORV Safety closure was implemented north of Hatteras Inlet extending south around to the soundside "Rip" area. The temporary closure is approximately 1,700 feet in length. Impacts from Noel created more problems with erosion, high tides and rough ocean conditions making this an area of concern. The area is being constantly monitored. Pedestrian access is open around the entire tip of the inlet from oceanside to soundside. The first mile of the Pole Road is closed and requires maintenance work (grading) due to recent flooded conditions before it can be re-opened next week; the Cable Crossing and Spur Roads and 2.6 miles of ocean shoreline are open to ORV access.

A RESOURCE protection area is located on the sound shoreline of both Isabel overwash areas. Pole Road and ocean shoreline access remains open past this area.

A RESOURCE protection area remains in effect south of the Spur Road for portions of the interior areas of Hatteras Spit. ORV access to Hatteras Spit, the Rip, and the soundside shoreline is open.

Ocracoke Island District

The Ocracoke Island District has a total of 16.5 miles of ocean shoreline. There are 16.4 miles open to pedestrians and approximately 11.1 miles are open to ORV access. ORV use is restricted by approximately 5.4 miles of SAFETY closure.

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67 (7.8 miles):

ORV and pedestrian access is open north of Ramp 59 and 1.0 mile south of Ramp 59 where a SAFETY Closure begins. There is no through ORV access from Ramp 59 to Ramp 67.Pedestrian access is open.

A SAFETY closure is 5.4 miles long, and begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.2 miles north of Ramp 67. This section is open to pedestrian access but not to ORV access.

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

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 67 south to Ramp 70.

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 0.4 of a mile where a RESOURCE shoreline protection area begins.An access corridor is open to ORV and pedestrians on the upper beach and access is open to South Point.During rough ocean conditions and extreme high tides or winds with resulting erosion, access to South Point of Ocracoke may not be accessible at times.

A RESOURCE protection area remains in effect near South Point that encompasses interior and soundside areas of the spit. Ocean shoreline access is open to South Point.

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-