Beach
Access and Park Issues
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September
14, 2010
Night driving beach permits are now
available
and some village beaches will re-open
 Cape
Hatteras National Seashore beaches will re-open to night driving on
Thursday, Sept. 16.
Night beach driving permits will be required for off-road vehicle use
on the ocean beaches between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Sept.
16 until Nov. 15.
A night driving permit, signed and dated by the driver of the vehicle,
must be visibly displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle.
The implementation of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) night driving permits is
required under the terms of the court-approved consent decree to help
increase the nesting success of sea turtles, which are protected under
the Endangered Species Act.
A PDF version of the night beach driving permit is available online and
may be downloaded from the national seashore’s Website at
http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm.
The downloaded version of the permit should be printed in color if
possible. Hard copies of the permit will be available at
visitor
centers, including the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Visitor Center
in Buxton, Whalebone Information Center, Hatteras Weather Station, as
well as local tackle shops.
From Nov. 16 until April 30 of next year, night beach driving is
allowed at all hours without a permit.
Also, the following beaches that are seasonally closed will reopen to
ORVs on Thursday, Sept. 16:
Tri-villages (Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo) beachfront. Approximately 3 miles
in length. Extends from the southernmost boundary of Pea Island
National Wildlife Refuge to Ramp 23.
Avon village beachfront. Approximately 4 miles in length.
Ocracoke campground and day use area beaches. Approximately 2.5 miles
in length.
Beachgoers will continue to encounter sea turtle nest protection areas
in effect. Posted areas are closed to all ORVs, pedestrians,
and
pets.
For further information, please call (252) 473-2111 ext. 148.
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