National Park Service ADJUSTS BEACH ACCESS AREAS

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National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE 04-27-06
CONTACT: 252-473-2111 ext. 148


NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ADJUSTS BEACH ACCESS AREAS

On Tuesday April 27, 2006, Superintendent Mike Murray announced the re-opening of beach areas on Hatteras Island. The modification of two safety closures at Ramp 27 and Ramp 30 will allow additional ORV and recreational access.

Park staff members are removing the safety closure between Ramp 27 and Ramp 30. Removing this closure will reopen .7 of a mile of beach. “The Park established this safety closure because the beach had become too narrow to safely navigate. Now that the beach is building back we feel the area can safely be used for ORV and other recreational activities,” stated Superintendent Murray.

The second safety closure modification will affect the beach south of Ramp 30. The current closure will reduce in size and will open .9 of a mile of beach for ORV access. Park staff will monitor the remainder of the closure and it will reopen once it meets the Park’s minimum safety requirements.

Resource Protection areas are being adjusted and monitored on a daily basis. Pre-nesting closures erected in the early part of April are allowing the birds to define territory, mate, nest and forage. Three additional areas are closed for bird nesting activity. These areas are south of Ramp 27, north of Buxton village, and north of Ramp 70 on Ocracoke Island. These enclosures do not prohibited access to the areas and beaches remain open for ORV and pedestrian use. Park management will release regular information updates beginning the week of April 30, 2006.

-NPS-