National Park Service Updates Cape Hatteras ORV Management Plan
National Park Service Outer Banks Group Superintendent David Hallac announced this week that, consistent with 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, a legislation-driven review and analysis of the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Management Plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), the National Park Service has developed an expedited construction schedule for the ramps and the interdunal road listed in the chart below.
The projects were originally described in the Seashore’s 2013 Environmental Assessment (EA) to Facilitate (Construct) Additional Public Beach Access.
After the review, the reprioritization of projects places emphasis on those projects that provide ORV and pedestrian access to key recreational areas within the Seashore while providing resource protection. The construction projects will be phased in over several years. The project titles, original, and expedited schedules are:
| Project | Original Start / Completion Date | Expedited Start / Completion |
| New ORV Ramp 25 with boardwalk to the beach | 2013 / 2014 | Completed |
| Ramp 25 – New 10 Car Parking | 2013 / 2014 | Spring, 2015 |
| New ORV Ramp 32 (Little Kinnakeet) with a 10-car parking lot and foot trail to the beach | 2014 / 2015 | 2015 |
| A new unpaved interdunal road between Ramps 45 and 49 | 2017 / 2018 | 2015 / 2015 |
| A new ORV Ramp 63 across from Scrag Cedar Road on Ocracoke | 2016 / 2017 | 2015 / 2016 |
| A new ORV Ramp 48 | 2018/2018 | 2015/2016 |
The Seashore has also been working on reviewing and modifying wildlife protection buffers and corridors through the preparation of an EA. During the week of April 27, the Seashore plans to release the EA for a two week public review period to present the Seashore’s proposed action to modify wildlife buffers and establish corridors. Five public meetings are scheduled for the week of May 4 to provide the public with the opportunity to learn about the proposed action.
Monday, May 4
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke School, 1 Schoolhouse Road, Ocracoke, NC 27920
6 PM to 8 PM
Tuesday, May 5
Buxton, North Carolina
Cape Hatteras Secondary School, 48576 Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920
6 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday, May 6
Raleigh, North Carolina
NC State University Campus
McKimmon Conference and Training Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC 27695
6 PM to 8 PM
Thursday, May 7
Hampton/ Norfolk, Virginia
Embassy Suites Hampton Roads, 1700 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666
6 PM to 8 PM
Friday, May 8
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
6 PM to 8 PM
The legislation also requires a public process to consider, consistent with management requirements at the Seashore, changes to the Seashore’s ORV special regulation as it relates to morning opening of beaches, extending the length of Fall and Spring seasonal ORV routes and modifying vehicle free areas. This second phase of the review will be conducted beginning in July 2015.
For more information, visit the park webpage at: http://www.nps.gov/caha/learn/management/2015ndaact.htm
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