[GarnerFJ40]

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: March 24, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Vandalism of Ocracoke South Point Resource Protection
Closure Signs Results in Expansion of Buffer

On Monday morning, March 23, National Park Service (NPS) staff discovered vandalism of symbolic fencing marking a shorebird pre-nesting closure at the South Point area on Ocracoke Island. Five “Area Closed” signs on 2” X 2” wooden posts were broken off at the sand line. Vehicle tracks were visible at three of the broken signs but no footprints were observed in the area.
As required by the court ordered consent decree, a deliberate act of vandalism to fencing results in a mandatory 50 meter expansion of the closure area. Due to the narrow width of the beach at this location, ORV access is now allowed along the ocean shoreline to the southeast corner of the point, but precluded past that location by the mandatory buffer expansion. Pedestrian access below the high tide line is permitted past the buffer expansion along portions of the inlet shoreline outside of the established pre-nesting area.
Superintendent Mike Murray reiterated the need for all parties, including the public, to comply with the consent decree requirements. “This deliberate act of vandalism is contemptible and appears to be aimed at reducing access for the many park visitors who do comply with park regulations. This is an early reminder that future acts of intentional vandalism to resource protection areas will result in greater expansion of the buffers as required under the consent decree,” stated Murray.
In 2008 the park experienced six deliberate violations of resource protection areas and each time the buffers were expanded. Destruction of government property and entering a resource closure are federal criminal violations, each subject up to a $5,000. fine and up to six months imprisonment. If anyone has information about this violation, please call National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers at 252-928-5111.

This won't really affect the trip as a whole, but it will determine what directions we'll be able to go.

Once finalized with the board. I will post up A LOT of information. But, one of the best tools I've been using is:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Current Interactive Beach Access Map using Google Earth (U.S. National Park Service)

You'll need to download Google Earth, but I think most of us "Land Cruisers" already have it. Good tool, and I plan to have maps for everyone as part of the registration, so no need to duplicate efforts.

Jerry, the plan is to make my trailer in the next few weeks, but I have 2 kayaks, and could get the use of a 3-4 more. I think my limit might be carrying a total of 6-8 kayaks, with 2 on top of the cruiser...