Beach
Access Issues
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May 8, 2008
National Park Service Beach Access Report for May 8, 2008
**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
Certain portions of beaches may be impassable at high tide and some
ramps and interdunal routes still have standing water on them.
Visitors should pay attention to tide changes and exercise caution
while traveling the beaches and interdunal routes of the park.
On April 30, 2008, U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle signed a
Consent Decree that results in the settlement and dismissal of the
lawsuit involving the Seashore’s Interim Protected Species
Management Strategy. The Consent Decree adopts the NPS Interim
Strategy, with a number of modifications including a prohibition on
night driving on Seashore beaches between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6
a.m. from May 1 through November 15. Between those dates, the
public is expected to remove ORVs from the beach by 10 p.m. and may not
enter the beach with vehicles until 6 a.m.; however, between September
16 and November 15, NPS may issue permits to authorize night driving
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The
night driving permitting process will be developed and available by
September 16. No fee or limit on the number of 2008 night driving
permits is anticipated.
The Consent Decree
states that NPS shall establish specified buffers for observed breeding
behavior of piping plovers, least terns, other colonial waterbirds, and
American oystercatchers. Breeding behavior includes, but is not
limited to, territorial behavior, courtship, mating, confirmed scrapes,
or other nest building activities for breeding adult piping plover
foraging outside of an established closure; and for nests and chicks of
all species mentioned above. The buffers apply to both ORVs and
pedestrians. The buffer distance for the most sensitive species
in the area shall be used.
TABLE OF RELEVANT ORV AND PEDESTRIAN BUFFERS
Species
Breeding
Behavior/Nest Buffer (m)
Unfledged Chick Buffer
(m)
Piping Plover
50
1000 (ORV only)
300 (Pedestrian only)
Least Tern
100
200
Other Colonial
Waterbirds 200
200
American
Oystercatcher 150
200
The Consent Decree
states that if NPS observes pre-nesting and/or breeding behavior of
colonial waterbirds, piping plovers, or American oystercatchers, NPS
shall establish the appropriate buffer within 8 daylight hours.
Upon discovery of an active nest or chicks that are outside an existing
closure, protective measures shall be taken immediately to close the
area and establish the buffers described above, and the related fencing
around the site shall be installed as soon as NPS staff can reasonably
be mobilized, but always within six daylight hours. As a result
of these required buffer distances and the time frames within which NPS
must install them, beach access status can change quickly.
Pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet.
Note: *** All distances are approximate***
Bodie Island District (Coquina Beach to Ramp 27)
There are approximately 16.5 miles of ocean shoreline are open to pedestrian access and approximately 9.6 miles are open to ORV access in the Bodie Island District (excluding Pea Island).
Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area)
The beach is open for pedestrian access but no ORV access for 1.6 miles.
Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 to Bodie Island Spit
The beach is open for
ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline for 0.2 mile south
of Ramp 4. There is no through access to Oregon Inlet.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was established at Bodie Island Spit the week of
March 24, 2008. It includes interior areas of the spit and the
“pond” shoreline. Access to pond from the northeast
side is closed as part of the RESOURCE protection area. An
ocean/inlet shoreline access corridor is currently being maintained
(weather dependent) above the high tide line for ORV and pedestrian
access to the southwest side of the inlet near Bonner Bridge. A
modification of the existing closure was installed on April 17, for
American Oystercatchers. This creates a full beach closure of the
small strip of beach that runs parallel to the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge
and there is no shoreline access to the Bait Pond.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was
established on Green Island during the week of April 7th. The
island is closed to landing of any craft.
• A RESOURCE protection area was established in
a non-ORV area on the north side of the Bait Pond (west side of the
canal) on April 26 for American Oystercatchers.
• A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.2
of a mile south of Ramp 4 and extends for 0.25 of a mile for American
Oystercatchers. This is a full beach closure that restricts
access to Bodie Island Spit. .
• A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.3
miles south of Ramp 4 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a
full beach closure (within a closure) for American Oystercatchers.
Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo: (north of Ramp 23 for 3 miles to Pea Island NWR boundary)
The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access.
Ramp 23 - Ramp 27: (4.3 miles)
The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 1.9 miles north of Ramp 27 and 1.5 miles south of Ramp 23.
• A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.5 miles south of Ramp 23 and 1.9 miles north of Ramp 27 and extends for 200 meters. This is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
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 23.7 miles of ocean shoreline open to pedestrians and 14.0 miles open for ORV access. ORV use is restricted by 6.8 miles of safety closures.
Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.2 miles)
Beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline
for 0.1 of mile south of Ramp 27 and 0.6 mile north of Ramp 30.
Currently there is no through access for ORVs between the ramps due to
resource closures. A 1.5 mile stretch between the resource
closures is open to pedestrian access but not ORV access.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.1 mile
south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach
closure for American Oystercatchers.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.2 mile
south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full
beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 1.0 mile
south of Ramp 27 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full
beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.6 mile
north of Ramp 30 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full
beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
Ramp 30 - Ramp 34: (4.3 miles)
The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 30 south for
3.8 miles. Currently there is no through access for ORVs between
the ramps due to a resource closure.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.5 mile
north of Ramp 34 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full
beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
•
A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.2 mile north of Ramp 34 and extends
for 0.25 of a mile. This is a full beach closure for a least tern
colony.
Ramp 34 - Ramp 38: (4.0 miles)
The beach is open for
ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 34 to Ramp 38. Currently,
there is through ORV and pedestrian access. On May 15 the
seasonal village closure goes into effect and will prevent ORV traffic
in front of the village.
Ramp 38 - Ramp 43: (6.0 miles)
The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 1.8 of a mile south
of Ramp 38. Currently there is no through access for ORVs between
Ramp 38 and Ramp 43. Pedestrian access is open.
• A SAFETY closure is 3.8 miles
long, beginning 1.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38 to 0.4 of a mile north
of Ramp 43, due to narrow beaches. This section is open to
pedestrian access, but not ORV access.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.7
of a mile north of the village of Buxton and extends for 0.25 of a
mile. This is a full beach closure for American
Oystercatchers. This section is within a SAFETY CLOSURE which is
not open to ORV access and pedestrian access is restricted through the
0.25 mile closure.
Ramp 43 - Ramp 44: (0.3 of a mile)
The beach is open for
ORV and pedestrian access onto the beach at Ramp 43 with no access
along the ocean shoreline to the north or south due to resource
protection closures.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins south of
Ramp 43 and extends for 0.26 of a mile. This is a full beach
closure for American Oystercatchers. The closure was expanded 200
feet to the south on April 28 for nesting/territorial behavior.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 50 feet
north of Ramp 43 parking lot and extends for 0.25 of a mile for
American Oystercatchers.
•
A RESOURCE protection area begins north of Ramp 43 and extends for 0.25
of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American
Oystercatchers.
Ramp 44 - Ramp 45 (Cape Point): (2.4 miles)
Ramp 44 has been re-opened and there is ORV and pedestrian access to the south for 0.6 of a mile.
• ORV and pedestrian access is open south of
Ramp 44 with no through access to Cape Point. A RESOURCE
protection (prenesting) area was established the week of March 24,
2008. It included interior areas of Cape Point and a complete
shoreline closure that started approximately 0.25 miles south/west of
Cape Point and ends approximately 0.3 east of Ramp 45. The total
closure distance is approximately 1.0 mile in length.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established between Ramp 44 and the Salt
Pond Bypass Road. This is a 150’ buffer for foraging piping
plover.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.6 miles south of Ramp
44. This is a full beach closure for a least tern colony that
prevents ORV and pedestrian traffic on the East side of Cape
Point.
Ramp 45 to Ramp 49 (South Beach): (3.4 miles)
Ramp 45 is open and accessible via the interdunal road from Ramp 44.
Salt Pond Road is closed due to a RESOURCE protection area.
Currently there is no through access for ORVs or pedestrians between
the ramps due to resource closures. There is ORV and pedestrian
access from Ramp 49 east for approximately 1.7 miles.
• A RESOURCE protection area (prenesting area)
was established the week of March 24, 2008. It included upper
beach areas that encompass the dunes and extends towards the
ocean. On April 21, a modification (150 foot shoreline section)
of this prenesting area was installed for American
Oystercatchers. This is a full beach closure.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.50 mile
west of Ramp 45 and extends for 0.25 of a mile along the
shoreline. This is a full beach closure for American
Oystercatchers.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 mile
west of Ramp 45 and extends for 0.25 of a mile along the
shoreline. This is a full beach closure for American
Oystercatchers.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.9 miles East of Ramp 49
and extends for 150 meters. This is a full beach closure for a
least tern colony and a pair of American Oystercatchers.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established directly in front of Ramp 45
which closes Ramp 45 and the interdunal road. This is a full
beach closure for a least tern colony.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established 1.7 miles East of Ramp 49
and extends for 150 meters. This is a full beach closure for a
least tern colony and a pair of American Oystercatchers.
Ramp 49 - Ramp 55: (5.9 miles; includes Sandy Bay soundside parking area)
The beach is open to ORV for 1.2 miles west 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 from Ramp 49 to Ramp 55.
• The beach in front of Frisco Village to
Hatteras Village is open to pedestrian access, but not ORV access for
4.7 miles.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 50 yards
south of the Sandy Bay parking lot on the soundside and extends for
0.25 of a mile for American Oystercatchers.
Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet: (2.7 miles)
ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline from Ramp
55 west to 0.1 mile south/west of the southern exit of the Pole Road,
where a RESOURCE protection area begins. Pole Road is open from
Ramp 55 west to the Isabel overwash areas, where traffic is routed onto
the beach due to a RESOURCE protection area. South of the
overwash areas, the Pole Road is open. The Cable Crossing route
is open to access along the sound shoreline. The Spur Road is
open to access to the sound shoreline.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was
established at the Isabel overwash area from the sound shoreline to the
ocean dune during the week of March 24, 2008. Ocean shoreline
access is open past this area.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was
established the week of March 24, 2008 south of the southern exit of
Pole Road. The area includes upper beach and interior areas south
of Pole Road and a full ocean beach closure beginning approximately 0.1
mile south/west of the southern exit of Pole Road. The full beach
closure is approximately 0.8 miles long and continues south/west around
the tip of Hatteras Inlet, which encompasses the “Rip.”
• A RESOURCE protection area for foraging piping
plovers was established on the soundside, 0.1 mile southwest of where
the Spur Road exits onto the sound shoreline on April 9.
Ocracoke Island District
The Ocracoke Island District has a total distance of 16.3 miles of ocean shoreline. There are 12.6 miles open to pedestrians and approximately 8.8 miles are open to ORV access. ORV use is restricted by a SAFETY closure of 5.2 miles long.
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.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was
established at North Ocracoke Spit the week of March 24,
2008. It includes interior areas of the spit and the ocean
shoreline. An ocean/inlet shoreline access corridor is currently
being maintained (weather dependent) above the high tide line for ORV
and pedestrian access from Ramp 59 north for 0.9 miles toward North
Ocracoke Spit. There is no ORV or pedestrian access in the
RESOURCE protection area.
• A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.8
of a mile south of Ramp 59 and extends for 0.25 of a mile. This
is a full beach closure for American Oystercatchers.
• A SAFETY closure is 5.2 miles long, and
begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to 1.4 miles north of Ramp 67.
This section is open to pedestrian access but not to ORV access.
Ramp 67 - Ramp 70 (includes Ramp 68): (3.8 miles; includes Ramp 68)
There is no through ORV shoreline access between these two ramps. Pedestrian access is open.
• A RESOURCE protection area begins 0.8 mile
south of Ramp 68 (or 1.5 miles north of Ramp 70) and extends for 0.25
of a mile. This is a full beach closure for American
Oystercatchers. An expansion/modification of 200 feet to the
north was installed on April 30 for observed breeding behavior.
Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 (1.8 miles) and Ramp 72 to South Ocracoke Spit (4.4 miles):
The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 70 south along
ocean shoreline, for approximately 0.2 of a mile south of Ramp
72. There is no through access to South Point.
• A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was
established the week of March 24, 2008 that encompasses interior and
soundside areas of the spit. There is ocean shoreline access for
2.6 miles from Ramp 72 south. On the soundside shoreline, 1.3
miles of shoreline is closed to ORV and pedestrian access.
•
A RESOURCE protection area was established 0.2 mile south of Ramp
72. This is a 50 meter buffer along the ocean shoreline which
precludes access to South Point. This is a full beach closure
that extends for approximately 0.7 of a mile along the ocean shoreline
for foraging piping plover.
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-
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