NPS opens Avon beaches

[vasurfisher]

*** NEWS RELEASE ***

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
OUTER BANKS GROUP
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Wright Brothers National Memorial

For Immediate Release: For Information
Contact: Mary H. Doll
October 19, 2004 (252) 473-2111 ext.
154


Avon Village Beach to Open to ORV Use


The National Park Service (NPS) will be opening beaches in front of
Avon village to public Off Road Vehicle (ORV) use on Wednesday October 20,
2004. This includes the beach area between ORV access ramps 34 and 38.
Much of this stretch of Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach was closed to
winter ORV use due to narrow beach width. The beaches in front of Hatteras
Island villages, including Avon, are open to ORV use from September 16
through May 14, as long as the beach remains wide enough for use. These
beaches are closed to ORV use during summer months due to heavy visitor
use.
"The beaches in front of the village of Avon have widened and can now
be navigated safely by ORVs," stated Outer Banks Group Superintendent
Lawrence A. Belli. "ORV drivers should use caution when driving along
village beaches and watch for the pedestrians." The ORV speed limit in
front of the villages is set at 15 mph.
"The NPS asks that ORV drivers respect not only the pedestrians, but
also other beach users including migrating shorebirds," continued Belli.
"By driving around resting shorebirds, ORV users will be helping to protect
valued park resources that make Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and the
Outer Banks, a very special place."
This beach opening is in accordance with the park's General
Management Plan and the 1978 Draft Interim ORV Management Plan for Cape
Hatteras National Seashore (the plan). The NPS will be using the plan,
excepting permit sections, until a final ORV Management Plan for the park
is completed. A copy of the plan can be found at www.nps.gov/caha. The
NPS will soon be initiating an ORV Management Plan for the Seashore, as
required by Executive Order. Funding has been designated this fiscal year
to start the multi-year planning project. The plan will take several years
to complete. Public input will be a key component in the development and
success of this plan.
In January 1978, the NPS had completed the Draft Interim Management
Plan for ORV Use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Although the draft
plan was never finalized, it did receive public input. Since 1978,
Seashore ORV use has generally been managed by the strategies outlined in
the plan.


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National Park Service
Outer Banks Group
1401 National Park Road
Manteo, NC 27954

************************************************** **
Mary H. Doll
Management Assistant
Outer Banks Group
National Park Service

Phone: (252) 473-2111, ext. 154
Fax: (252) 473-2595