Night driving resumes on some Seashore beaches

Off-road vehicles are once again allowed to drive at night on selected sections of beach in Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Acting superintendent Darrell Echols announced in a news release that ORV routes reopened Sunday to night driving where no turtle nests remain or to the first posted closure in that route.

The routes now open for night driving include north of Ramp 4, south of Ramp 44, west of Ramp 49, the Pole Road to Hatteras Inlet and south of Ramp 67.

In accordance with the park’s new ORV Management Plan, from Sept. 16 to Nov. 15, night driving is allowed on ORV routes, or portions thereof, with no turtle nests remaining.

A permit is required for any off-road vehicle use in Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

During the 2012 sea turtle nesting season, 222 nests were identified on National Seashore beaches. Of this record-breaking number, a total of approximately 60 remain to date.

Visitors should note they will encounter sea turtle nest protection areas in effect parkwide.

Closure conditions may change in the field on short notice and these posted protection areas are closed to all ORV, pedestrian and pet entry.

On-site signage of a closed area will be clearly marked in the field with “symbolic fencing” consisting of wooden or carsonite posts, closure signs, string and black filter fencing.

On Nov. 1, the seasonally closed beaches off Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, and the Ocracoke Day Use Area reopen to ORV use under the terms of the new Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Pets are strictly prohibited in posted resource protection areas and must be physically restrained at all times on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length.