Vandalism tears up seashore bird buffer

Someone deliberately tore through a protected area at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, resulting in a 50-meter expansion of a buffer zone for breeding American oystercatchers.

The National Park Service reported that bird monitoring staff found tire tracks and footprints in the area, five wooden closure signs broken and a 4-by-4 post pulled out the ground. Rope connecting posts into the tidal zone was missing.

It was the first incident of deliberate vandalism in the 2010 shorebirding breeding season, the NPS said in a statement. The area is 0.8 of a mile south of ramp 38 between Avon and Buxton.

A court-ordered consent decree requires buffer areas to be expanded if there is evidence of deliberate vandalism. Expanding the area is not required if the park service receives information that leads to apprehension of violators.

Information can be provided to the Dare Community Crime Line at (252) 473-3111. Possible penalties for vandalism are a fine of up to $5,000 and six months imprisonment.

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