PreNesting Closure to Start March 27th

derf · 03-22-2006, 03:33 PM

Outer Banks Group News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2006
CONTACT: National Park Service, 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Park to Establish Pre-nesting Areas for Protected Shorebirds

Outer Banks Group Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that National Park Service (NPS) staff will begin establishing pre-nesting areas for protected shorebird species at Cape Hatteras National Seashore beginning March 27, 2006. These temporary closures will be installed on sections of the Bodie Island Spit, Cape Point, South Beach, Hatteras Spit, and Ocracoke South Point. The pre-nesting areas allow protected birds relatively undisturbed habitat to define territories, find a mate, forage for food, and establish nest sites.

The areas to be posted are based on breeding areas used in the past three years that have been identified in the proposed Interim Protected Species Management Strategy. Where possible, the NPS will maintain an off-road vehicle (ORV) corridor along the shoreline to maintain access to popular fishing and recreation areas. “The goal is to provide adequate pre-nesting areas by April 1 while allowing for continued ORV access and recreation along the shoreline,” said Superintendent Murray. “The pre-nesting closures areas will be marked with “symbolic fencing” consisting of wooden posts, bird usage signs, string and flagging tape. Since this year’s pre-nesting areas are based, in part, on the proposed interim strategy, I invite the public to join us on site to see what we are doing, ask questions and, if they wish, help put up fencing.”

The superintendent and members of the park management team will be on site during closure installation to answer questions from visitors and residents. Installation of the pre-nesting closures will begin by 9 a.m. each day (see schedule below).

Volunteers are welcome to join NPS work crews installing the pre-nesting closures at the respective sites. Anyone interested in volunteering a few hours of manual labor (bring water and gloves) can contact the volunteer office at 252-995-6018 or join park work crews on:

Monday, March 27th at Bodie Island Spit. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at the NPS maintenance facility located near the intersection of NC HWY 12 and South Nags Head Road.
Tuesday, March 28th at Cape Point and South Beach. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at the NPS maintenance facility in Buxton. Follow signs to maintenance area from the main park road.
Wednesday, March 29th at Hatteras Spit. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at the NPS maintenance facility in Buxton. Follow signs to maintenance area from the main park road.
Thursday, March 29th at Ocracoke South Point. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. at the NPS maintenance facility in Ocracoke Village. Follow NC HWY 12 through Ocracoke Village. Turn right before reaching the visitor center parking lot and follow the signs to Ocracoke Maintenance (near waste treatment plant)

John M · 03-22-2006, 04:25 PM

how much ya wanna bet the closures will cover huge areas.........this inst a good start with the new super is it?

derf · 03-22-2006, 07:18 PM

i was sorta hoping for a map

....
haven't found one yet ; but it was just announced to-day

Large John · 03-22-2006, 08:26 PM

Derf didnt one of the proposal "books" have a set of maps with it?? I recall seeing one a few months ago. It had like 4 or 5 different proposals starting each with pre nesting and going thur the little bastids getting washed away. I recall that the preferred alternative(maybe D) had corridors of 100 feet around the point and Hatteras Inlet and that was under discussion.

Mike S · 03-22-2006, 08:30 PM

I posted this link in the other thread: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document...cumentID=13760 I think the maps are in Appendix D. It doesn't look like you can access South Beach from the Point again.

Critter Gitter · 03-22-2006, 08:51 PM

Thanks Mike. 100 feet around South Point aint much room on a good tide. At least we can still access. Guess we can always fish the sloughs north of the airport for those harder to find fish. Cape Point mostly open so all in all does not look so bad. Funny how most closures are in areas most heavily fished.

Large John · 03-23-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S

I posted this link in the other thread: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document...cumentID=13760 I think the maps are in Appendix D. It doesn't look like you can access South Beach from the Point again.

I recall reading in the public meeting minutes that the 100 feet wasnt set in stone and the portion of the hook between the point and south beach was to remain open. These were quotes from Murray to the citizens that attended the meetings. Lets see if hes a man of his word. Otherwise meybe theres a stray fox wandering around that can solve this once and for all.

Sand Van · 03-26-2006, 09:44 PM

The real closure will take place after the reservation season is over. Hard to make plans when you have no clue what will happen next.

Drumdum · 03-27-2006, 06:04 AM

Murray is allowing questions to be asked.. In the past the "Gestopo",under the leadership of "the birdlady" wouldn't even do that....

One thing he also said was,he would try to keep the most used areas like the point and inlet open,and maybe an interdunal access would be possible..

A little early to be "nawing at the bit" just yet,IMO...

As was said in an earlier post,support the OBPA,NCBBA,and all groups that are against the radical "left wing" of DOW...