National Park Service Beach Access Report for September 15, 2006

Date: September 15, 2006
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

This beach access report is being distributed to clarify which sections of beach will reopen or remained closed on September 16, 2006.

Bodie Island District (Coquina Beach to Ramp 27)

Ramp 1 to Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)

An ORV safety closure is 1.2 miles long, beginning at Ramp 1 at the Nags Head Village line and ending at Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach). Pedestrian access is open.

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. Access is open to the northeast corner of the pond. Some areas may experience access limitations during extreme high tides or winds.

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

The SEASONAL ORV beach closure, 3 miles long, re-opens to ORVs on Sept. 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)

Ramp 27 - Ramp 30:

The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 27 to Ramp 30. Sections may be impassable at high tide. A narrow section near shipwreck may be impassable during high tides.

Ramp 30 - Ramp 34:

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 30 to Ramp 34.

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:

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

Ramp 38 to Ramp 43 (Beach in front of Buxton village)

An ORV safety closure is approximately 3.1 miles long, beginning approximately 1.5 miles south of Ramp 38 and ending 0.4 miles north of Ramp 43. Pedestrian access is open.

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 between Ramp 44 and south of Cape Point to Ramp 45, via the ocean shoreline. The Interdunal Road, Salt Pond Road and Ramp 45 are open.

Cape Point:

· A RESOURCE protection area exists within the interior of Cape Point and 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 south to Ramp 49.

Ramp 49 to Ramp 55 (Beach in front of Frisco and Hatteras villages)

An ORV safety closure is 4.9 miles long,beginning1.1 miles south of Ramp 49 and ending 156 feet north of Ramp 55. Pedestrian access is open. Currently there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp 55.

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:

ORV and pedestrian ocean shoreline access is open to the inlet.Soundside ORV and pedestrian access is open from Cable Crossing to the "Rip" area at the spit. "Rip" area may be impassable to ORVs at high tide.

· Effective 9/15/06, there is a temporary safety closure of portions of the Pole Road due to flooding. Will be monitored and reopened when conditions improve.

Ocracoke Island District

Ramp 59 - Ramp 67:

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 30. Pedestrian access is open

This section will reopen to ORV access on October 31, 2006.

Ramp 68 - Ramp 70:

The SEASONAL ORV beach closure for Ocracoke Village, 2.9 miles long, will re-open to ORVs on September 16, 2006. There is through access from Ramp 68 to South Point.

Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 and to South Ocracoke Spit:

ORV and pedestrian access is open from Ramp 70 south along ocean shoreline, to the inlet.

Parkwide:

Some sea turtle nesting closures remain. Posted areas are closed to vehicles, pedestrians and pets.