This week several closures were expanded in portions of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area and one new
closure was established.
These modifications were attributed to breeding behavior of Least Terns and American Oystercatchers and Least Tern
chicks. Neither of these species are classified as endangered.
In one case, there was a slight reduction in the closure to a small portion of the area south of Ramp 4 (approx 0.3 of
a mile) Even with this modification, vehicular access is still restricted to the popular fishing and recreational
opportunities on Bodie Island Spit located south of Ramp 4.
In another case, a closure was expanded on the north end and reduced on the south end for Least Tern and American
Oystercatcher breeding behavior 1.7 miles south of Ramp 38.
The closure at Ramp 34 was reported as removed which provided ORV and pedestrian access for 2.4 miles north of the ramp,
and for a distance of 0.4 of a mile south to the Avon Village seasonal closure.
These modifications were outlined in the National Park Service Access Report for June 25, 2009. A link to this
report is on the Home Page of the beach access website under "Today's Access."
The beach access website is also your direct connection to a Google Earth map used by the National Park Service to show
open and closed areas of the beach. A color-coded legend highlights specific areas open to pedestrians and ORV's, pedestrian
only, limited access areas (open to pedestrians between closures) and areas closed to all public access due to resource closures.
Click Here for the Map
Unfortunately, closure conditions under the consent decree can change on short notice. It is possible you could
encounter an area closed by a recently placed sign, while it is still indicated as open on the National Park Services's access
map. They update the map up to five times per week as conditions change, and may not include very recent changes made
in the field by Park Service staff.
REMEMBER - when special interest groups claim that huge portions of the beach are open, the areas they are talking
about may not really be accessible. This often happens when an open area is located on the north or sound side of a
restricted closure. In other words, while the area may technically be "open," in reality, you need a helicopter or parachute
to get there. As the old expression says, "You can't get there from here."
The July 4th holiday is just around the corner. On the day that most of America celebrates freedom, the residents
and visitors of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area will continue to suffer under the court-ordered consent
decree.
Commissioner Jack Shea and published in the Washington Times newspaper. 
