NPS To Begin ORV Escort Program For Hatteras

[vasurfisher]

NEWS
NPS To Begin ORV Escort Program For Hatteras Spit

Date
May 20, 2005

Contact
Outer Banks Group, (252)473-2111

At 7 AM on Saturday May 21, 2005, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin the operation of an escort program to provide for public ORV access along the Hatteras spit to Hatteras Inlet; and for protection of the piping plover as required by the Endangered Species Act.
Piping plover breeding and nesting activity has been documented on and near the ocean beach north of the Hatteras spit. Due to the listing of this species as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, the NPS is required by law to ensure protection of the bird and its eggs and chicks during breeding, nesting, and chick fledging for successful reproduction and continuation of the species. Piping plover breeding season runs from April 1 through August 31.

ORVs will be escorted from the beach adjacent to the southern end of the Pole Road along the ocean beach for approximately two miles to Hatteras Inlet. Due to the limited beach space available at the Inlet, the number of ORVs allowed on the Inlet may be limited as safety dictates. ORVs will be escorted on the hour in small groups, as piping plover activity allows.

The ORV escort program will run from 7 AM until 8 PM daily. Pedestrian access through the escort area is prohibited. The Hatteras spit area south of the Pole Road will be closed to all public entry, ORV and pedestrian, from 8 PM through 7 AM daily. This program will be in effect until further notice.

As stated by Outer Banks Group Acting Superintendent Phil Francis, "The National Park Service fully understands the inconvenience this program may have on park visitors and the potential impacts to our local communities and stakeholders. We deeply appreciate the patience of Seashore visitors and the continued support of our local communities and stakeholders as we temporarily adapt public ORV access to provide for both the protection of this threatened species and recreational access."

Escort vehicles will be used to lead ORVs through the escort area. "Gate keepers" will be posted at each end of the escort route to assure that no unescorted ORVs enter the restricted area.

A monitor will document the behavioral activity of each pair of piping plovers in the escort area during this period. Any significant change of behavior during the escort period that causes a piping plover to deviate from its current activity will be documented. Behavior before, during, and after each escort will be compared and an assessment of the disturbance will be made by the NPS along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Should disturbance rise to a level that would adversely affect the successful breeding, nesting, and chick rearing/fledging of the protected plovers, the area may be temporarily closed and escort program temporarily suspended.

24 hour law enforcement staffing will be utilized to provide needed enforcement for the escort program and nighttime closure.

This is a trial program and will be constantly evaluated for improvements and therefore may be changed as warranted

Communication on the escort program and plover protection will be provided on a continuing basis to the public and user groups. NPS representatives will actively seek the input, suggestions, and concerns of the public regarding the escort program and plover protection; and will consider public input in all decision-making and evaluation processes.

The NPS will use local partnerships, collaborative work groups, and other mechanisms to provide a timely exchange of information.

[derf]

hummmm,
on 1 hand we have acess to the inlet. something we didn't have last year .
on the other hand is this the start of the"orv
acess" plan for hi ?
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personally i'm really walking the 'thin red line ' on this one .......gonna have to wait & see what happens .
memorial weekend should be interesting
derf