(See attached file: 103008 Beach Access Report.doc)

National Park Service Beach Access Report for October 30 2008
      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 30, 2008
      CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148

   *Bold, blue print = updated news.
   **Bold, dark red print = projected sea turtle nest closures
   **Report resource protection area violations to:
      Dare Central Communications Center:  252-473-3444
      Hyde County Dispatch:  252-928-3171
      Ocracoke Sheriff Dept:  252-928-7301

With only two remaining sea turtle nests on National Seashore beaches, and
neither affect ORV access, the last week of October marks the end of the
weekly Beach Access Report of the 2008 season.  The Report will resume in
April 2009.  We appreciate your interest, your comments, and your input
over the past seven months.  Enjoy the solitude and beauty of our “winter
beaches” with great fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities!

As of October 30th, NPS staff have documented 113 sea turtle nests on
national seashore beaches during the 2008 season, of which, 111 nests have
hatched or been removed.  There are 2 nests left on Hatteras Island (none
in ORV use areas).  No new turtle nest closures will be installed for the
rest of the 2008 season.

Park visitors will find two remaining full beach turtle closures.  Under
the terms of the Consent Decree, all sea turtle nest that have reached
their “hatch window” of day 50 will be protected with a full beach closure
(dunes to surf) until that particular nest hatches.  Nests that reach 50
days of incubation after September 15th will also be protected by full
beach closures.  There will be no ORV access in front or behind these nests
unless otherwise posted.  These closures will apply to ORV beaches and
Village beaches that are open to driving.  These closures were deemed
necessary to protect emerging hatchlings from the lighting effects of
night-time driving, which re-opened September 16th.

As of September 16th, 2008, in areas open to ORV use, night driving is
allowed with a night driving permit.  There is no cost or limit to the
permit and permits are available online at www.nps.gov/caha, all park
Visitor Centers and Campgrounds, Outer Banks Visitor Bureau Visitor
Centers, and local tackle shops.  Night beach driving permits will be
required for off-road vehicle use (signed/dated by the driver and displayed
in the windshield of the vehicle) on all Cape Hatteras National Seashore
ocean beaches between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. from September
16 to November 15.  For further information, please call (252) 473-2111
ext. 148.

Google Earth maps are available at:
www.nps.gov/caha

All marked boundaries of closed areas, including resource protection areas,
found in the field are the actual, legal boundaries of designated closed
areas and supersede any information in this report.  Park visitors MUST pay
close attention to and comply with any closed area and resource protection
area boundaries as found in the field.  All resource protection areas are
clearly marked with carsonite posts, signs, string, wooden poles or other
markers.

   Bodie Island (Coquina Beach to Oregon Inlet)
   There are approximately 5.7 miles of ocean shoreline from Ramp 1 to
   Oregon Inlet.  Approximately 5.7 miles are open to pedestrian access.
   Approximately 4.3 miles are open to ORV access on Bodie Island and there
   are no miles closed to access due to RESOURCE PROTECTION area.

   Ramp 1 – Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area) – 1.4 miles
   The beach is open for pedestrian access but no ORV access.  Annual
   seasonal closures went into effect on May 15, 2008 and extend from Ramp
   1 to 0.1 of mile south of Ramp 2.

   Ramp 2 – Ramp 4 to Bodie Island Spit – 4.2 miles
   Ramp 2 is open for ORV use.  North of Ramp 4, the beach is open for ORV
   access for 2.4 miles and open for pedestrian access approximately 3.5
   miles.  South of Ramp 4 the beach is open for ORV access 2.1 miles and
   open for pedestrian access 2.2 miles.
     The RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area has been reduced to a winter
        resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds on August 26,
        2008.  It includes interior areas of the spit and portions of the
        “pond” shoreline.  The resource closure is marked with red
        carsonite posts as closed to all access.  The ORV corridor is
        marked with brown carsonite posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted,
        but pets are prohibited outside of the ORV corridor at this site.
        A few hundred feet of the sound shoreline adjacent to the Bonner
        Bridge is closed to ORVs, but open to pedestrians and boat
        landings, based on current shoreline conditions.

   Hatteras Island (South Boundary of PINWR south to Hatteras Inlet)
   Hatteras Island has a total distance of 42.9 miles of ocean shoreline.
   Approximately 42.7 miles of ocean shoreline are open to pedestrian
   access.  Approximately 34 miles are open for ORV access on Hatteras
   Island.  In addition to the annual seasonal ORV closures, ORV use is
   restricted by 6.3 miles of SAFETY closures.  Approximately 0.2 miles are
   closed to all access due to RESOURCE PROTECTION areas.  The week of
   November 2nd, as the two remaining sea turtle nest “hatch window” dates
   approach, the visiting public can expect to see closures around those
   remaining nests on Hatteras Island, none affect ORV through access.

   Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo: (north of Ramp 23 for 3 miles to
   Pea Island NWR boundary)
   The beach areas in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo
   are open to ORV and pedestrian access.

   Ramp 23 – Ramp 27:  (4.3 miles)
   The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.3 miles between
   Ramp 23 and Ramp 27.

   Ramp 27 – Ramp 30:  (2.2 miles)
   The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 2.2 miles between
   Ramp 27 and Ramp 30.

   Ramp 30 – Ramp 34:  (4.3 miles)
   The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.3 miles between
   Ramp 30 and Ramp 34.

   Ramp 34 - Ramp 38:  (beaches in front of Avon = 4.0 miles)
   The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 4.0 miles between
   Ramp 34 and Ramp 38.

   Ramp 38 - Ramp 43:  (6.0 miles)
   Currently, there is no through access for ORVs between Ramp 38 and Ramp
   43.  Pedestrian access is open for 6.0 miles between Ramp 38 and Ramp
   43.
      A SAFETY closure is 3.6 miles long, beginning 2.0 miles south of Ramp
         38 to 0.4 of a mile north of Ramp 43, was adjusted on May 14.
         This section is open to pedestrian access, but not ORV access.

   Ramp 43 - Ramp 44:  (0.3 of a mile)
   The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access from Ramp 43 to Ramp 44
   and north of Ramp 43 for 0.4 of a mile.

   Ramp 44 - Ramp 45 (Cape Point):  (2.4 miles)
   Ramp 44 is open.  Salt Pond Road is open.  Ramp 45 is open.  There is
   pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 44 to Ramp 45 for
   2.4 miles.

      The RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was reduced to a winter
         resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds at Cape Point on
         August 25, 2008.  It includes interior areas of the spit and the
         ponds in the interdunal areas.  There is ORV access from Ramp 44
         south to the tip and around the point to the Salt Pond Road and
         the ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite posts.  Pedestrian
         access is permitted, but pets are prohibited, outside of the ORV
         corridor at this site.

   Ramp 45 to Ramp 49 (South Beach):  (3.4 miles)
   Ramp 45 is open.  Salt Pond Road is open. There is through access for
   ORVs and pedestrians between Ramp 45 and 49.
      A RESOURCE protection area (prenesting area) was removed and has
         transitioned to an ORV corridor on August 25, 2008.  It includes
         upper beach areas that encompass the dunes and extends towards the
         ocean.

   Ramp 49 - Ramp 55:  (5.9 miles; includes Sandy Bay soundside parking
   area)
      The beach is open to ORV for 0.4 miles southwest of Ramp 49 and 0.1
      of a mile east of Ramp 55 (in front of Frisco and Hatteras Villages).
      Currently, there is no through ORV access between Ramp 49 and Ramp
      55, but pedestrian access is open for 5.9 miles from Ramp 49 to Ramp
      55.

      The beach in front of Frisco Village to Hatteras Village is open to
         pedestrian access, but not ORV access for 4.7 miles.
      Another RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located
         1.6 miles west of Ramp 49.  This area was expanded on September
         25.  This area is within a village closure and therefore does not
         affect ORV access and pedestrian access is available behind the
         designated protection area.  This nest is within the expected
         “hatch window.”
      A RESOURCE protection area (sea turtle nest site) is located 1.2
         miles north of Ramp 55.  This area was expanded on October 9th.
         This nest is located in an annual village closure and therefore
         will not affect ORV access.  This is a full beach closure; there
         will be pedestrian access behind the nest outside of the signed
         protection area.  This nest is within the expected “hatch window.”

   Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet:  (2.7 miles)
      ORV and pedestrian access is open for 2.5 miles along the ocean
      shoreline from Ramp 55 west to the Hatteras Inlet.  The Pole Road is
      open from Ramp 55 west to Hatteras Inlet.  The Cable Crossing route
      is open to access on the sound shoreline.  The Spur Road is open to
      access to the sound shoreline.

         A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area at the Isabel overwash
            transitioned to a winter resource closure for
            non-breeding/wintering birds from the sound shoreline to the
            ocean dune on July 15, 2008.  The Pole Road is open in front of
            the overwash fan areas and there is also ocean shoreline
            access.
         A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area will be reduced to a
            winter resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds at
            Hatteras Inlet on September 2, 2008.  It includes interior
            areas south of the Pole Road.  There is ORV access from Ramp 55
            south, and from the southern terminus of the Pole Road on the
            ocean shoreline, to the tip and around the point to the Rip”
            and sound shoreline.  The ORV corridor is marked with brown
            carsonite posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are
            prohibited, outside of the ORV corridor at this site.  The area
            is experiencing a high rate of shoreline erosion and will be
            monitored daily should it become necessary to install a safety
            closure for ORVs.

  Ocracoke Island
   The Ocracoke Island District has a total distance of 18.2 miles of ocean
   shoreline.  Approximately 17.5 miles are open to pedestrian access.
   Approximately 10.5 miles are open to ORV access on Ocracoke Island.  ORV
   use is restricted by a 4.8 mile SAFETY closure.  Approximately 0.7 miles
   are closed to all access for RESOURCE PROTECTION areas.

  Ramp 59 - Ramp 67:  (7.8 miles; includes North Ocracoke Spit)
  There is no through ORV shoreline access between these two ramps.
  Pedestrian access is open from Ramp 59 to Ramp 67,  6.4 miles in length.

     A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area was REMOVED at North Ocracoke
        Spit on July 15, 2008 and a migrating/wintering closure was
        established on August 6, 2008.
     A SAFETY closure, 4.8 miles long, begins 1.0 miles south of Ramp 59 to
        1.4 miles north of Ramp 67.  This safety closure, adjusted on May
        14, is open to pedestrian access, but not to ORV access and is
        still in effect.

  Ramp 67 - Ramp 70 (includes Ramp 68):  (3.8 miles; includes Ramp 68)
  There is no through ORV shoreline access between Ramp 67 and Ramp 70.
  Pedestrian access is open.  The annual seasonal beach closure in front of
  the Ocracoke Campground and Day Use area went into effect on May 15,
  2008.  The beach from is open from Ramp 68 to Ramp 70.

  Ramp 70 - Ramp 72 (1.8 miles) and Ramp 72 to South Ocracoke Spit (4.4
  miles):
  The ocean shoreline is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 2.3 miles
  south of Ramp 72 to the tip of South Point.
      A RESOURCE protection (prenesting) area has been reduced to a winter
        resource closure for non-breeding/wintering birds on August 28,
        2008.  It encompasses interior and soundside areas of the spit.
        The resource closure is marked with red carsonite posts as closed
        to all access.  The ORV corridor is marked with brown carsonite
        posts.  Pedestrian access is permitted, but pets are prohibited,
        outside of the ORV corridor at this site.  A few hundred feet of
        the sound shoreline on the southwest side of the point is closed to
        ORVs, but open to pedestrians and boat landings, based on current
        shoreline conditions.  Ocean shoreline access is available for 2.3
        miles from Ramp 72 south.

                                         -NPS-