National Park Service News |
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 National seashore campgrounds open April 4 Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds at Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Ocracoke will open on Friday, April 4. Oregon Inlet and Frisco campgrounds will remain open through Columbus Day, Oct. 13. The Ocracoke Island Campground is on a reservation system and will remain open through Oct. 27. Cape Point Campground in Buxton on Hatteras Island will open Friday, May 23, for Memorial weekend through Sept. 1 of Labor Day weekend. Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s four campgrounds accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes no longer than 35 feet. Each campground provides rest rooms, potable water, unheated showers, grills, and picnic tables, but no utility connections are available. Camping fees for Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Cape Point are $20 per night and the camping fee at Ocracoke Campground is $23 per night. Holders of the Golden Age or Golden Access passes, or the new Interagency Senior or Access passes, will receive a 50 percent discount on their camp sites. Group camping is available at Oregon Inlet Campground. The fee for group camping is $4 per person per night for groups of 7 to 30 people, including infants and toddlers. The group camping reservations number is 252-441-0882 and reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance. Ocracoke is the only National Park Service campground on the Outer Banks where visitors can make reservations. National Park Service contractor, Reserve America, operates this service. Reservations for Ocracoke can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the Internet at www.recreation.gov. Campsites at Oregon Inlet, Frisco, and Cape Point campgrounds are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than six persons and two vehicles may occupy a single campsite. Pop-up campers are considered vehicles. Parking space for extra vehicles is very limited, so please make arrangements to park your extra vehicle outside the park or rent an additional campsite. Camp sites may be occupied for no more than 14 consecutive days. Generators may not be operated between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Camping in Cape Hatteras National Seashore is permitted only in designated campgrounds. For more information, please go to www.nps.gov/caha.  Negotiated rulemaking committee contacts now availableThe official public contact list for members of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Planning Advisory Committee for Negotiated Rulemaking is available online. Information may be found on the PEPC Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAHA, along with additional information about the NEPA planning process for the ORV Management Plan/EIS and the regulatory negotiation process. The committee had its first official meeting on Jan. 3 and 4 in Avon. Its goal is negotiating and developing special regulations (proposed rule) for the management of off-road vehicles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The next meeting is scheduled Feb. 26 and 27 at the Ramada Inn Plaza in Kill Devil Hills. For more information contact one of the Committee members or Cyndy Holda at 252-473-2111, ext. 148, or e-mail CAHA_Superintendent@nps.gov.  NPS annual threatened and endangered species reports available The Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s 2007 annual reports for threatened and endangered species have been released and are available to the public. As required in the August, 2006, Biological Opinion on the seashore’s Interim Protected Species Management Strategy, seashore staff completed and submitted these reports to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Raleigh field office by Jan. 31. The following reports have been released -- 2007 Seabeach Amaranth Report, 2007 Piping Plover Report and 2007 Sea Turtle Report. For more information, these reports and associated appendices can be found on the CAHA website. Go to: http://www.nps.gov/caha/naturescience/index.htm Park Service is sponsoring Junior Ranger essay contest The winner of this year’s 2008 Junior Ranger essay contest will receive an all expense paid family vacation to one of the country’s most remarkable national parks and a starring role in an electronic field trip seen by millions of school children across the country. The essay contest is open to children between 9 and 12 years old. Each person must express his or her thoughts on “What can you do now to turn over a new leaf for the environment and help preserve our national parks?” National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar, First Lady Laura Bush, and National Park Foundation President and CEO Vin Cipolla announced the details of this year’s contest during a recent visit to Everglades National Park in Florida. A group of local fifth graders joined them to help plant native trees in a park restoration project before to the announcement. “Children throughout the country, like those here today, are more interested and involved in environmental issues than ever before,” said Bomar. “They can make a difference, both now and in the future, on the impact of humans on the land. I can’t wait to hear all of the wonderful ideas that will come from this essay contest.” The grand prize winner will receive a trip for four to Everglades National Park where he or she will appear in an electronic field trip about invasive species in national parks. The prize includes round trip air transportation, car rental, hotel accommodations, meal expenses, a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree, and an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass. Essays must be 500 words or less and received online or by mail by March 14, 2008. Each entry will be judged on originality, clarity, and understanding of the issue. Additional contest information is available at www.nps.gov. |
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