National Park Service Beach Access Report for September 1, 2006

Date: September 1, 2006
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

This is the final beach access report for the 2006 summer season. Significant resource management activities related to protected species will be provided via press releases. The National Park Service would like to thank everyone for their support this season. A special thanks to Bill Holda for researching, preparing, editing and distributing the report and to all staff that assisted in compiling the report. We have received many positive comments about the report and are convinced it is a good idea to continue it in the future.

Many thanks to you all!

Recent News:

Numerous Piping Plovers continue migrating south along the Atlantic coast and have been observed foraging on the beaches. The total number of turtle nests within the Seashore is now at75 and several nests have begun to hatch. The beaches in front of the villages on Hatteras Island will be reopening to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Interpretive Program Schedule: This is the final week that Cape Hatteras National Seashore will have a park ranger at a turtle nest closure to provide informal interpretive talks to the public. Learn how the female sea turtles come onto the Outer Banks to lay their eggs in the sand and hear of the various species of sea turtles, all protected under the Endangered Species Act. The ranger will be located at a turtle nest closure that is due to hatch this week, 1.0 mile north of Ramp 38 (in Avon Village), on Thurs., August 31st, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

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).16.3 miles are open to pedestrians and 11.7 miles are open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 4.6 miles of seasonal closures in front of the Tri-villages through September 15th and a life-guarded swim beach through Labor Day. Approximately 0.2 of a mile is closed as a full-beach resource closure and there are no ORV Safety closures in effect.

Ramp 1 - 0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)

A SEASONAL ORV beach closure is 1.6 miles long and includes a life-guarded swim beach, 150 feet wide. Pedestrian access is open. This area re-opens to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 and to Bodie Island Spit

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline to the inlet sound side near Herbert Bonner (Oregon Inlet) Bridge. Some areas may experience access limitations during extreme high tides or winds.

· A RESOURCE protection area is located within the interior of Bodie Island Spit. Approximately 0.9 of a mile south of Ramp 4, and 0.2 of a mile long, a two-lane, pass through corridor above the high tide line was established to accommodate a gathering of approximately 150 birds. Recent observations include 60 Least Terns with 2 chicks, 50 Royal Terns, 40 Sandwich Terns, and a few migrating Piping Plovers,foraging and roosting in the area. No stopping or parking is permitted within the pass through. An access corridor is being maintained above the high tide line, for ORV and pedestrian access, to the southwest side of the inlet.

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

A SEASONAL ORV beach closure is 3 miles long; open to pedestrian access. This area re-opens to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Ramp 23 - Ramp 27:

Beach access is open for ORV and pedestrian use between Ramp 23 and 27.

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 30.5 miles open to pedestrians and 19.1 miles of beach are open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 7.5 miles of seasonal closures through September 15th and 4.6 miles of safety closures. Approximately .7 of a mile are closed due to full beach resource protection closures.

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.2 miles of shoreline)

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access south of Ramp 27 for 0.8 miles and from Ramp 30 north for 1.4 miles. Currently there is no through access between Ramp 27 and Ramp 30.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34:

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 2.8 miles south of Ramp 30 and for 0.7 of a mile north of Ramp 34. Currently there is no through access between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 0.2 miles long beginning 2.8 miles south of Ramp 30 to 3.0 miles south of Ramp 30.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:

A SEASONAL ORV closure in front of Avon Village beachfront is a 3.5 miles long and will re-open to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43:

The beach is open to ORV access for 1.5 of a miles south of Ramp 38. Currently there is no through ORV access between Ramp 38 and Ramp 43.Pedestrian access is open, except within the resource closure noted below:

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 3.5 miles long, beginning approximately 1.5 miles south of Ramp 38 to Ramp 43, due to very narrow beaches and hurricane impacted areas.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:

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

Ramp 44 - Ramp 49:

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 3.1 miles, between Ramp 44 and south of Cape Point to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45, via the ocean shoreline. The Interdunal Road, Salt Pond Road and Ramp 45 are open.

Cape Point:

· A RESOURCE protection area begins just south of Ramp 44, encompassing a colony of Colonial waterbirds. Also 9 migratory Piping Plover were recently observed.Numerous birds are foraging, roosting and defending territory. Visitors in the area are asked to reduce their vehicle speed to 10 mph and keep all dogs on a leash of six feet or less. Shoreline access is open around this closure, to Cape Point and to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45.

· A RESOURCE protection area within the interior of Cape Point begins approximately 0.5 of a mile south of the Point for an active colonial waterbird colony. A section of shoreline 0.1 of a mile long has been kept closed for foraging habitat around an ephemeral pool. ORV and pedestrian access is open around the north side of the ephemeral pool.

South Beach:

The Interdunal Road, Salt Pond Rd. and Ramp 45 are open to access Cape Point and to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45.

· A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45 for an active Tern colony. Recent observations include3 unfledged chicks. This is a full beach closure, approximately 0.4 of a mile long.

· ORV and pedestrian access is open from 1.2 miles south of Ramp 45 through to Ramp 49 for approximately 1.9 miles. Note: this area is currently accessible from Ramp 49 but not from Ramp 45.

Ramp 49 - Ramp 55:

The beach is open to ORV access for 1.1 miles south of Ramp 49 to the boundary of the Frisco andHatteras Village closure. Pedestrian access is open to Ramp 55. Currently there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp 55.

· A SEASONAL ORV beach closure for Frisco Village and Hatteras Village is 4.0 miles long.

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:

ORV and pedestrian ocean shoreline access has been reopened to the inlet. The resource protection area on the ocean side has been reduced to an interior closure.Soundside ORV and pedestrian access is open from Cable Crossing to the "Rip" area at the spit.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 0.2 of a mile long, from the Rip at the soundside, north along the inlet and ocean shoreline (approximately 150 yards), due to the high tide extending to the dune line and a small cliff/shelf that has formed from high tide erosion precluding safe vehicle access (pedestrian access is open). ORVs can access the Rip via the ocean side or the sound side.

Ocracoke Island District

The Ocracoke Island District has a total of 16.3 miles of ocean shoreline. 16.3miles are open to pedestrian use and approximately 8.2 milesare open to ORV use. ORV use is restricted by a 2.9 mile seasonal beach closure and 5.2 miles of unsafe driving conditions.

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67: (7.6 miles of shoreline)

There is no through ORV or pedestrian shoreline access between these two ramps.

· ORV and pedestrian access is open for 0.5 of a mile north of Ramp 59 to the north Ocracoke Spit.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 5.2 miles long, and begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.4 miles north of Ramp 67. Pedestrian access is open.

Ramp 67 to Ramp 68:

This one mile section of beach is closed to ORV traffic adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground until the campground closes on October 30th.

Ramp 68 - Ramp 70: (4.4 miles of shoreline)

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

· A SEASONAL ORV beach closure for Ocracoke Island is 2.9 miles long and this area will re-open to ORVs on September 16, 2006. The current closure is 0.25 miles

Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 and to South Ocracoke Spit:

An ORV and pedestrian access is open from Ramp 70 south along ocean shoreline, for approximately 4.8 miles, 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 pets.

-NPS-

this report each week

Recent News:

Numerous Piping Plovers continue migrating south along the Atlantic coast and have been observed foraging on the beaches. The total number of turtle nests within the Seashore is now at75 and several nests have begun to hatch. The beaches in front of the villages on Hatteras Island will be reopening to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Interpretive Program Schedule: This is the final week that Cape Hatteras National Seashore will have a park ranger at a turtle nest closure to provide informal interpretive talks to the public. Learn how the female sea turtles come onto the Outer Banks to lay their eggs in the sand and hear of the various species of sea turtles, all protected under the Endangered Species Act. The ranger will be located at a turtle nest closure that is due to hatch this week, 1.0 mile north of Ramp 38 (in Avon Village), on Thurs., August 31st, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

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).16.3 miles are open to pedestrians and 11.7 miles are open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 4.6 miles of seasonal closures in front of the Tri-villages through September 15th and a life-guarded swim beach through Labor Day. Approximately 0.2 of a mile is closed as a full-beach resource closure and there are no ORV Safety closures in effect.

Ramp 1 - 0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)

A SEASONAL ORV beach closure is 1.6 miles long and includes a life-guarded swim beach, 150 feet wide. Pedestrian access is open. This area re-opens to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

0.6 miles South of Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 and to Bodie Island Spit

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline to the inlet sound side near Herbert Bonner (Oregon Inlet) Bridge. Some areas may experience access limitations during extreme high tides or winds.

· A RESOURCE protection area is located within the interior of Bodie Island Spit. Approximately 0.9 of a mile south of Ramp 4, and 0.2 of a mile long, a two-lane, pass through corridor above the high tide line was established to accommodate a gathering of approximately 150 birds. Recent observations include 60 Least Terns with 2 chicks, 50 Royal Terns, 40 Sandwich Terns, and a few migrating Piping Plovers,foraging and roosting in the area. No stopping or parking is permitted within the pass through. An access corridor is being maintained above the high tide line, for ORV and pedestrian access, to the southwest side of the inlet.

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

A SEASONAL ORV beach closure is 3 miles long; open to pedestrian access. This area re-opens to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Ramp 23 - Ramp 27:

Beach access is open for ORV and pedestrian use between Ramp 23 and 27.

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 30.5 miles open to pedestrians and 19.1 miles of beach are open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 7.5 miles of seasonal closures through September 15th and 4.6 miles of safety closures. Approximately .7 of a mile are closed due to full beach resource protection closures.

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.2 miles of shoreline)

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access south of Ramp 27 for 0.8 miles and from Ramp 30 north for 1.4 miles. Currently there is no through access between Ramp 27 and Ramp 30.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34:

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 2.8 miles south of Ramp 30 and for 0.7 of a mile north of Ramp 34. Currently there is no through access between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 0.2 miles long beginning 2.8 miles south of Ramp 30 to 3.0 miles south of Ramp 30.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:

A SEASONAL ORV closure in front of Avon Village beachfront is a 3.5 miles long and will re-open to ORVs on September 16, 2006.

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43:

The beach is open to ORV access for 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38.Currently there is no through ORV access between Ramp 38 and Ramp 43.Pedestrian access is open, except within the resource closure noted below:

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 4.2 miles long, beginning 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38 to Ramp 43, due to very narrow beaches and hurricane impacted areas.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:

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

Ramp 44 - Ramp 49:

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 3.1 miles, between Ramp 44 and south of Cape Point to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45, via the ocean shoreline. The Interdunal Road, Salt Pond Road and Ramp 45 are open.

Cape Point:

· A RESOURCE protection area begins just south of Ramp 44, encompassing a colony of Colonial waterbirds. Also 9 migratory Piping Plover were recently observed.Numerous birds are foraging, roosting and defending territory. Visitors in the area are asked to reduce their vehicle speed to 10 mph and keep all dogs on a leash of six feet or less. Shoreline access is open around this closure, to Cape Point and to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45.

· A RESOURCE protection area within the interior of Cape Point begins approximately 0.5 of a mile south of the Point for an active colonial waterbird colony. A section of shoreline 0.1 of a mile long has been kept closed for foraging habitat around an ephemeral pool. ORV and pedestrian access is open around the north side of the ephemeral pool.

South Beach:

The Interdunal Road, Salt Pond Rd. and Ramp 45 are open to access Cape Point and to 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45.

· A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 45 for an active Tern colony. Recent observations include3 unfledged chicks. This is a full beach closure, approximately 0.4 of a mile long.

· ORV and pedestrian access is open from 1.2 miles south of Ramp 45 through to Ramp 49 for approximately 1.9 miles. Note: this area is currently accessible from Ramp 49 but not from Ramp 45.

Ramp 49 - Ramp 55:

The beach is open to ORV access for 1.1 miles south of Ramp 49 to the boundary of the Frisco andHatteras Village closure. Pedestrian access is open to Ramp 55. Currently there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp 55.

· A SEASONAL ORV beach closure for Frisco Village and Hatteras Village is 4.0 miles long.

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:

ORV and pedestrian ocean shoreline access has been reopened to the inlet. The resource protection area on the ocean side has been reduced to an interior closure.Soundside ORV and pedestrian access is open from Cable Crossing to the "Rip" area at the spit.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 0.2 of a mile long, from the Rip at the soundside, north along the inlet and ocean shoreline (approximately 150 yards), due to the high tide extending to the dune line and a small cliff/shelf that has formed from high tide erosion precluding safe vehicle access (pedestrian access is open). ORVs can access the Rip via the ocean side or the sound side.

Ocracoke Island District

The Ocracoke Island District has a total of 16.3 miles of ocean shoreline. 16.3miles are open to pedestrian use and approximately 8.2 milesare open to ORV use. ORV use is restricted by a 2.9 mile seasonal beach closure and 5.2 miles of unsafe driving conditions.

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67: (7.6 miles of shoreline)

There is no through ORV or pedestrian shoreline access between these two ramps.

· ORV and pedestrian access is open for 0.5 of a mile north of Ramp 59 to the north Ocracoke Spit.

· An ORV SAFETY closure is 5.2 miles long, and begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.4 miles north of Ramp 67. Pedestrian access is open.

Ramp 67 to Ramp 68:

This one mile section of beach is closed to ORV traffic adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground until the campground closes on October 30th.

Ramp 68 - Ramp 70: (4.4 miles of shoreline)

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

· A SEASONAL ORV beach closure for Ocracoke Island is 2.9 miles long and this area will re-open to ORVs on September 16, 2006. The current closure is 0.25 miles

Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 and to South Ocracoke Spit:

An ORV and pedestrian access is open from Ramp 70 south along ocean shoreline, for approximately 4.8 miles, to the inlet.

Visitor Protection staff will recheck all safety closures in September 2006.

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-