National Seashore Updates for the Week of July 26

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of July 26 include the following:

Seashore Updates

• On July 8, 2019, Jamie Lester Underwood, 39, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina admitted in federal court to using a pocket knife to etch his girlfriend’s initials into the original bronze door of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Underwood was ordered to pay $1,922 in restitution and was placed on one year of probation.
• National Park Service Rangers continue to investigate multiple reports of tires being intentionally punctured at parking areas on Bodie and Hatteras islands. Please contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch or the Dare County Community Crimeline if you have information that could help investigators.
• Ocean safety information cards and stickers are being distributed to visitor centers and local businesses. The cards and stickers were created through a partnership with Outer Banks Forever, Dare County, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Wesley’s Way Foundation, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
• As of July 26 9 a.m., staff have found 386 sea turtle nests across the Seashore.
• A protection buffer remains in place at the tip of Cape Point to protect multiple least tern eggs and least tern chicks that are in the area. As of this morning, a path at the southwest corner of the Cape Point
  protection boundary was established to provide pedestrian access to the south-facing beach near the tip of Cape Point. From the protection boundary to the south-facing beach is approximately 500 feet. Once on
  the south-facing beach, visitors can walk approximately 0.40 miles to the west and 250 feet to the east.
  ORVs can travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44. Additional ORV
  access will be provided when possible
• Pole Road, located near Ramp 55 on Hatteras Island, was fully opened to offroad vehicle traffic yesterday. A portion of the road was temporarily closed to protect Wilson’s plover chicks. During the temporary closure, a beach detour was available.
• Starting August 1, priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. All
  other designated ORV ramps open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Transition to night driving (24 hours a day) could occur as early as September 15 if there are no sea turtle nests along a route.
• For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. For field summary, visit: http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary. Mileage and field summaries are updated every Thursday during the shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.

Upcoming Events

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move – Interpretive Program

• Dates: July 27-August 3, 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (daily program)
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
• Description: Learn about the monumental move event that happened in 1999 when the entire light station was moved 2,900 feet away from the threat of a changing shoreline.

Hatteras Island: Shaping the Barrier Islands – Interpretive Program

• Dates: July 27-August 3, 3:30-4:00 p.m. (daily program)
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
• Description: Wars, wind, hurricanes, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to the island.

Fish with a Ranger (Buxton)

• Date: July 29 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am
• Location: Buxton
• Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Fish with a Ranger (Rodanthe)

• Date: July 30 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am
• Location: Rodanthe
• Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Especially for Kids

• Date: July 30  from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals.

Dark Skies Over Hatteras

• Date: July 30 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Location: Ramp 43 parking area
• Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.

Castnetting

• Date: July 31 from 9:30-11:00 am
• Location: Location varies, call to pre-register
• Description: Practice this early method of fishing still used today. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Morning Bird Walk

• Date: August 1 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am
• Location: Meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44
• Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available. Bring bug spray.

Salvo Soundside Activities for Kids

• Date: August 1 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am
• Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
• Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.
• Ocracoke Island Interpretive

1st Annual Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration

• Date: November 2
• Location: Fessenden Center, Buxton
• Description: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with partner organizations, will celebrate the area’s strong surf fishing history at the 1st annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration. More details about this event will be posted on a special event page and Facebook page.