National Park Service News Release

          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  DATE:  May 6, 2011

          CONTACT: Cyndy Holda, Public Affairs Specialist, 252-473-2111, ext. 148

NPS Announces Bodie Island Spit Closure

Outer Banks Group Superintendent Mike Murray announces the temporary closure of portions of the Bodie Island Spit area to off-road vehicle (ORV) access in accordance with the terms of the court-ordered consent decree.  National Park Service staff observed colonial waterbird breeding behavior (nests and scrapes), which resulted in the closure effective Friday, May 06, 2011. 

The closure begins eight-tenths (0.8) of a mile south of Ramp 4 where ORV and pedestrian access is prohibited beyond that point.  There is approximately nine-tenths (.09) of a mile of “limited access” for pedestrians along the inlet shoreline, accessible by boat only.  In the Bodie Island area north of the closure, pedestrian access is open for 1.2 miles from Ramp 1 to Coquina Beach.  ORV and pedestrian access is open for 3.2 miles from Ramp 2 to 0.8 miles south of Ramp 4.

For more information on beach access, see:

http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm  or call 252-473-2111 ext. 148.

-NPS-