Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Bird Breeding Closes Cape Point

(Buxton, N.C.) The popular surf fishing area Cape Point on Cape Hatteras is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians in order to protect a bird called the American oystercatcher. Acting Superintendent Paul Stevens announces the temporary off-road vehicle (ORV) and pedestrian access closure of Cape Point area in accordance with the requirements of the ORV Management Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore. On April 8, 2012, just south of Ramp 44 along the ocean shoreline, National Park Service staff observed piping plover breeding behavior which resulted in the closure.The width of the beach is very narrow in the area commonly known as "the bypass" and the required buffer of 75-meters to the east resulted in the full beach closure.There currently is not an alternative ORV access route or shoreline pedestrian access through the resource closure to Cape Point. For more information on beach access, check Google Earth maps at:
http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htmor call 252-473-2111, ext. 148.