National Park Service Beach Access Report for October 2, 2008

Date: October 2, 2008
Contact: Outer Banks Group, 252-473-2111, ext. 148

*Bold, blue print = updated news.

**Bold, dark red print = projected sea turtle nest closures

**Report resource protection area violations to:

 Dare Central Communications Center:  252-473-3444

Hyde County Dispatch:  252-928-3171

Ocracoke Sheriff Dept:  252-928-7301

As of September 24^th, NPS staff have documented 113 sea turtle nests on national seashore beaches during the 2008 season, of which, 104 nests have hatched or been removed.  There are 7 nests left on Hatteras Island(2 in ORV use areas), and 2 on OcracokeIsland(none in ORV use areas.)

Note:  In response to several inquiries, the two HOBO transects located south of Ramp 55 are for sea turtle research purposes and will not be expanded or create ORV access issues.  They will be removed on November 15, 2008.

Park visitors will find a few remaining full beach turtle closures throughout the Park.  Under the terms of the Consent Decree, all sea turtle nest that have reached their “hatch window” of day 50 will be protected with a full beach closure (dunes to surf) until that particular nest hatches.  Nests that reach 50 days of incubation after September 15^th will also be protected by full beach closures.  There will be no ORV access in front or behind these nests unless otherwise posted.  These closures will apply to ORV beaches and Village beaches that are open to driving. These closures were deemed necessary to protect emerging hatchlings from the lighting effects of night-time driving, which re-opened September 16^th.

As of September 16^th, 2008, in areas open to ORV use, night driving is allowed with a night driving permit.  There is no cost or limit to the permit and permits are available online at www.nps.gov/caha, all park Visitor Centers and Campgrounds, Outer Banks Visitor Bureau Visitor Centers, and local tackle shops.  Night beach driving permits will be required for off-road vehicle use (signed/dated by the driver and displayed in the windshield of the vehicle) on all Cape Hatteras National Seashore ocean beaches between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from September 16 to November 15.  For further information, please call [phone] ext. 148.

Google Earth maps are available at:

www.nps.gov/caha

All marked boundaries of closed areas, including resource protection areas, found in the field are the actual, legal boundaries of designated closed areas and supersede any information in this report.  Park visitors MUST pay close attention to and comply with any closed area and resource protection area boundaries as found in the field.  All resource protection areas are clearly marked with carsonite posts, signs, string, wooden poles or other markers. 

BodieIsland(CoquinaBeach to Oregon Inlet)

There are approximately 5.7 miles of ocean shoreline from Ramp 1 to Oregon Inlet.  Approximately 5.7 miles are open to pedestrian access.  Approximately 4.3 miles are open to ORV access on Bodie Island and there are no milesclosed to access due to RESOURCE PROTECTION (seas turtle nest) area.

Ramp 1 – Ramp 2 (CoquinaBeachArea) – 1.4 miles

The beach is open for pedestrian access but no ORV access.  Annual seasonal closures went into effect on May 15, 2008 and extend from Ramp 1 to 0.1 of mile south of Ramp 2.

Ramp 2 – Ramp 4 to BodieIslandSpit – 4.2 miles

North of Ramp 4, the beach is open for ORV access for 2.2 miles and open for pedestrian access approximately 3.5 miles.  South of Ramp 4 the beach is open for ORV access 2.1 miles and open for pedestrian access 2.2 miles. 

·The RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area has been reduced to a winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds on August 26, 2008. It includes interior areas of the spit and portions of the “pond” shoreline. The resource closure is marked with red carsonite posts as closed to all access. The ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite posts. Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are prohibited outside of the ORV corridor at this site. A few hundred feet of the sound shoreline adjacent to the Bonner Bridge is closed to ORVs, but open to pedestrians and boat landings, based on current shoreline conditions.

Hatteras Island(South Boundary of PINWR south to Hatteras Inlet)

Hatteras Island has a total distance of 42.9 miles of ocean shoreline.  Approximately 42.6 miles of ocean shoreline are open to pedestrian access.  Approximately 34 miles are open for ORV access on Hatteras Island.  In addition to the annual seasonal ORV closures, ORV use is restricted by 6.3 miles of SAFETY closures.  Approximately 0.2 miles are closed to all access due to RESOURCE PROTECTION areas. The week of October 5th, as sea turtle nest “hatch window” dates approach, the visiting public can expect to see a few remaining full beach closures on Hatteras Island.

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

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

Ramp 23 – Ramp 27: (4.3 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.3 miles between Ramp 23 and Ramp 27.

Ramp 27 – Ramp 30: (2.2 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 2.2 miles between Ramp 27 and Ramp 30.

Ramp 30 – Ramp 34: (4.3 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.3 miles between Ramp 30 and Ramp 34. 

Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:  (beaches in front of Avon = 4.0 miles)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.0 miles between Ramp 34 and Ramp 38.

Ramp 38 - Ramp 43:  (6.0 miles)

Currently, there is no through access for ORVs between Ramp 38 and Ramp 43.  Pedestrian access is open for 6.0 miles between Ramp 38 and Ramp 43.

·A SAFETY closure is 3.6 miles long, beginning 2.0 miles south of Ramp 38 to 0.4 of a mile north of Ramp 43, was adjusted on May 14.  This section is open to pedestrian access, but not ORV access.

Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:  (0.3 of a mile)

The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 43 to Ramp 44 and north of Ramp 43 for 0.4 of a mile.

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

Ramp 44 is open.   Salt Pond Road is open. Ramp 45 is open.

·The RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area has been reduced to a winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds at Cape Point on August 25, 2008.  It includes interior areas of the spit and the ponds in the interdunal areas. There is ORV access from Ramp 44 south to the tip and around the point to the Salt Pond Road and the ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are prohibited, outside of the ORV corridor at this site. 

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

Ramp 45 is open.  Salt Pond Road is open.  Currently, there is no through access for ORVs between Ramp 45 and 49 due to a resource protection closure for a sea turtle nest. There is pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 45 to Ramp 49 for 3.4 miles.

·A RESOURCE protection area (prenesting area) was removed and has transitioned to an ORV corridor on August 25, 2008.  It includes upper beach areas that encompass the dunes and extends towards the ocean. 

· RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 0.2 miles east of Ramp 45.  This area will be expanded on September 23.  There will be no ORV or pedestrian access available behind the nest.  This nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

·A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 0.2 of a mile east of Ramp 49.  This area will be expanded on September 27.  There will be no ORV or pedestrian access available behind the nest.  The nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

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

The beach is open to ORV for 0.4 miles southwest of Ramp 49 and 0.1 of a mile east of Ramp 55 (in front of Frisco and Hatteras Villages). Currently, there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp 55, but pedestrian access is open for 5.9 miles from Ramp 49 to Ramp 55.

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

·A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 1.4 miles west of Ramp 49.  This area will be expanded on September 27.  There will be no ORV or pedestrian access available behind the nest.  This nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

·A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 1.6 miles west of Ramp 49.  This area will be expanded on September 25.  There will be no ORV or pedestrian access available behind the nest.  This nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:  (2.7 miles)

ORV and pedestrian access is open for 2.5 miles along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 55 west to the Hatteras Inlet.  The Pole Road is open from Ramp 55 west to Hatteras Inlet.  The Cable Crossing route is open to access on the sound shoreline.  The Spur Road is open to access to the sound shoreline.

·A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area at the Isabel overwash transitioned to a winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds from the sound shoreline to the ocean dune on July 15, 2008.  The Pole Road is open in front of the overwash fan areas and there is also ocean shoreline access.

·A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area will be reduced to a winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds at Hatteras Inlet on September 2, 2008.  It includes interior areas south of the Pole Road. There is ORV access from Ramp 55 south, and from the southern terminus of the Pole Road on the ocean shoreline, to the tip and around the point to the Rip” and sound shoreline.  The ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are prohibited, outside of the ORV corridor at this site.  The area is experiencing a high rate of shoreline erosion and will be monitored daily should it become necessary to install a safety closure for ORVs.

OcracokeIsland

The Ocracoke Island District has a total distance of 18.2 miles of ocean shoreline.  Approximately 18.2 miles are open to pedestrian access.  Approximately 10.5 miles are open to ORV access on Ocracoke Island. ORV use is restricted by a 4.8 mile SAFETY closure.  Approximately 0.7 miles are closed to all access for RESOURCE PROTECTION areas. During the week of October 5th, as sea turtle nest “hatch window” dates approach, the visiting public can expect to see a few remaining full beach closures on Ocracoke.

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 from Ramp 59 to Ramp 67,  6.4 miles in length.

·A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was REMOVED at North Ocracoke Spit on July 15, 2008 and a migrating/wintering closure was established on August 6, 2008.

·A SAFETY closure, 4.8 miles long, begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.4 miles north of Ramp 67, was adjusted on May 14 is still in effect.  This section is open to pedestrian access, but not to ORV access.

·A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 1.5 miles south of Ramp 59.  This area will be expanded on September 15.  This area is within a SAFETY closure and therefore does not affect ORV access.  Pedestrian access is not available behind the nest because of the location of the nest against the toe of the dune.  The nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

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

There is no through ORV shoreline access between Ramp 67 and Ramp 70.  Pedestrian access is open.  The annual seasonal beach closure in front of the Ocracoke Campground and Day Use area went into effect on May 15, 2008. The beach from is open from Ramp 68 to Ramp 70.

·A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 0.2 of a mile north of Ramp 68.  This area will be expanded on September 16.  This area is within a SAFETY closure and therefore does not affect ORV access.  Pedestrian access is not available behind the nest because of the location of the nest against the toe of the dune.  The nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

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

The ocean shoreline is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 2.3 miles south of Ramp 72 to the tip of South Point.  

·A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area has been reduced to a winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds on August 28, 2008. It encompasses interior and soundside areas of the spit.  The resource closure is marked with red carsonite posts as closed to all access.  The ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are prohibited, outside of the ORV corridor at this site.  A few hundred feet of the sound shoreline on the southwest side of the point is closed to ORVs, but open to pedestrians and boat landings, based on current shoreline conditions.  Ocean shoreline access is available for 2.3 miles from Ramp 72 south.