Contact: Wouter Ketel, 252-728-2250 ext. 3005
Harkers Island, North Carolina. Robert A. Vogel, Superintendent, Cape Lookout National Seashore, announces that the seashore Final Personal Water Craft (PWC) Rule was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2006. Beginning on September 8th, the rule allows visitors operating PWC to access the seashore at ten locations. When accessing the seashore at these locations, PWC are required to operate at a flat wake speed and only directly into shore. Locations where PWC access is permitted are listed below. You can obtain this list, a map of the locations and a copy of the rule on the park website at www.nps.gov/calo. Beginning on September 8, a copy of the rule will be available from the Federal Register website at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. In addition to these descriptions, seashore staff will install signs delineating the access locations in the near future. "The Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Proposed Rule required many public involvement steps and we encountered several delays, but we are glad that the process is finally complete" stated Superintendent Vogel. "In the end we have actively engaged the public in developing a good plan that allows PWC access to the seashore while assuring that the park's resources are protected" he added. PWC access locations permitted by the rule provide PWC operators access to about 50% (five of ten miles) of the sound-side sandy beach most frequented by park visitors with boats. The remaining 51 miles of the sound, and all 56 miles of the ocean side of the seashore remain closed to PWC; these remaining areas are either sensitive marsh and/or are generally not suitable for beaching vessels. PWC Access Locations within Cape Lookout National Seashore. (i.) North Core Banks
(ii) South Core Banks:
(iii) Cape Lookout:
(iv) Shackleford Banks:
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Last updated: April 14, 2015