News Release

National Seashore Releases 2020 Superintendent’s Compendium

Date: February 10, 2020
Contact: Brent Everitt, 850-934-2600

Gulf Breeze, Fla. – Gulf Islands National Seashore has released the annual Superintendent’s Compendium for 2020. The compendium is a comprehensive listing of how federal regulations and policies are implemented at the national seashore. Each year the park management team reviews the compendium and makes changes based on changing conditions, operations, community and visitor comments received throughout the year, and resource issues.

In addition to minor clarifications, this year’s edition of the compendium includes the following updates:

In both states-

• Visitors must remove private property each day no later than 9 p.m. during daylight saving time and by 6 p.m. during standard time.

• Check-in at park campgrounds is now 2 p.m. and check-out is by 11 a.m.

In Florida-

• The tower within the fence adjacent to Battery 234 is closed to public access at all times.

• Shorebird nesting closures (designated with posted signs) from Feb. 15th - September 1st in the Fort Pickens, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Areas.

In Mississippi-

• Private vessels may not be left unattended at the Ship Island Pier.

• Shorebird nesting closures (designated with posted signs) from Feb. 15th - September 1st in portions of Petit Bois Island, West Petit Bois Island, Horn Island, Ship Island and NPS-owned portions of Cat Island.

“Continuous review and evaluation of how federal regulations are implemented at Gulf Islands allows us to continue to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for park visitors while protecting the critical resources that make this place special,” said Superintendent Dan Brown. The 2020 updates will provide greater protection for nesting sea turtles and shorebirds, improve campground maintenance for visitor enjoyment, and ensure visitor safety by better facilitating emergency services access to park areas.

Access to the complete Superintendent’s Compendium is available to the public on the park’s website, the page is indexed and allows for the use of the website’s search functions. This page and additional National Park Service regulations is available online at https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm.

About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.

~NPS~