The Outer Banks Internet News Service brings you up-to-date information from around North Carolina's barrier islands. Articles contain contributions from Outer Banks writers, photographers and staff personnel seeking to provide helpful and informative news events and features about the area.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Final ORV Rule
EFFECTIVE: February 15, 2012
National Park Service Announcement
The final special regulation (rule) for the management of off-road vehicle
(ORV) use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) was published in
the Federal Register on January 23, 2012 and becomes effective on
Wednesday, February 15, 2012. The rule designates ORV routes and
authorizes ORV use at the Seashore in a manner that will protect and
preserve the unique natural and cultural resources of this dynamic barrier
ecosystem while permitting the use of vehicles on Seashore beaches and
provide a variety of safe visitor experiences while minimizing conflicts
among various users. Under National Park Service (NPS) general regulations,
the operation of motor vehicles off of roads within areas of the National
Park System is prohibited unless authorized by special regulation.
To provide more information about the rule and its requirements, the NPS
has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) information sheet and a map
showing designated ORV routes as well as pedestrian areas where ORVs are
not authorized. The map is available here and the FAQ is now available here
When the rule becomes effective on February 15, 2012, an ORV permit will be
required to operate a vehicle on the designated ORV routes at the Seashore.
Permits can be obtained beginning on February 15 at any of the three NPS
ORV permit offices located at Coquina Beach, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Visitor Center (Buxton), and the Ocracoke Visitor Center. These offices
will be open year-round, seven days a week, except Christmas Day, from 8:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with expanded hours on weekends and holidays during the
summer season. The cost of an annual permit (valid for the calendar year)
is $120. A 7-day ORV permit (valid from the date issued) will cost $50.
In order to provide the public with ample time to obtain a permit, there
will be a transition period between February 15 and March 15 before the
rule is fully implemented and enforced. During the transition period, the
NPS will install new ORV route markers and information signs and begin
implementation of the species management measures that were identified in
the December 2010 Record of Decision for the Seashore’s Off-Road Vehicle
Management Plan / Final Environmental Impact Statement. Visitor contacts
during the transition will focus on informing the visiting public about the
ORV permit and other beach driving requirements under the special
regulation.
For more information, see the FAQ posted on-line at:
http://www.nps.gov/caha; or call 252-473-2111 ext. 148.
-NPS-
NPS Announces Fall Hours Visitor Center/Lighthouse Hours
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2011
National Park Service Announcement
The parks of the National Park Service Outer Banks Group (Fort Raleigh
National Historic Site, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Cape Hatteras
National Seashore) will soon begin a fall schedule of interpretive programs
and hours of operation for the parks’ visitor centers and the Cape Hatteras
National Lighthouse.
Starting September 6th, visitor centers at all park sites will be open from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be open for
climbing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; tickets are sold from 8:15 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Children must be at least 42” tall to climb the lighthouse. The
last day to climb the lighthouse is October 10th.
During the fall season, the Outer Banks Group parks will offer a variety of
ranger-led programs. All programs are free.
From August 21st to October 30th, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site will
be offering a program at the Earthen Fort on the History of Roanoke Island
every day at 1 p.m. This program will be offered as staff is available and
weather permitting. By completing a booklet and attending a program, kids
can become a Junior Roanoke Ranger. Booklets are free and available at the
visitor center.
From August 21st to October 30th at the Wright Brothers National Memorial
learn about the Wright brothers, their flight experimentation, and their
success by attending a Flight Room Talk at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m.
daily. By completing a booklet and attending one program, kids can become
a Junior Flight Ranger. Booklets are free and available at the visitor
center.
Programs are offered on all three island areas of Cape Hatteras National
Seashore.
From August 21st to October 10th, there are three programs offered at the
Bodie Island Visitor Center. The Bodie Island Marsh Discovery Walk (1
hour) is offered Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., the Graveyard of the
Atlantic talk is offered on Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 10 a.m., and
the Sentinel of the Shore (30 minutes) is offered on Saturday and Sunday at
12 p.m. and Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 11 am.
The summer program schedule will be in effect on Hatteras Island through
September 5th—check the park website for program information,
www.nps.gov/caha. From September 6th to October 10th there will be three
30-minute programs offered daily at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Pavilion;
Outer Banks History at 11:30 a.m., Barrier Island Nature at 2:30 p.m., and
Sentinel of the Shore at 3:30 p.m. Beach Walk is offered at 10 a.m. on
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (1 hour), meet at the Old Cape
Hatteras Lighthouse site. Morning Bird Walk is offered on Tuesday at 8
a.m. (1 hour), meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44.
From August 21st to October 10th, there are four 30-minute programs offered
at the Ocracoke Island Visitor Center; Barrier Island Nature is offered
Monday and Wednesday at 11 a.m., Ocracoke History is offered Tuesday at 11
a.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m. The 1 hour Morning Bird Walk is offered
Thursday at 9 a.m., meet at the parking lot across from the Hatteras ferry
dock The 30-minute Banker Ponies program is offered Tuesday and Thursday
at 2 p.m., meet at the Pony Pens.
By attending programs and completing a workbook, kids can become a Seashore
Ranger. Booklets are free and available at any seashore visitor center.
Outer Banks JobBank FREE Jobs Service
Announced April 2009
RAI Announcement
Contact: RAI
Additional Information: info@eastcarolina.net
RAI URL: http://www.eastcarolina.net
JobBank URL: http://www.obxJobBank.com
The Outer Banks JobBank Service ... Search for Jobs, Create your Resume, Print it or Send to potential Outer Banks Employers on-line ... return and update it at anytime. This is a FREE service for both Employers and Job Seekers. Outer Banks Employers can Register on-line and List available positions anytime!
The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society is planning a homecoming Spring 2013 for descendants of Bodie Island Lighthouse keepers. In partnership with the NPS, the Outer Banks History Center, and The Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, they will pay tribute to the faithful keepers who served at this significant American light station and their families.
National Aviation Day August 22, 2011
National Park Service News
Wright Brothers Memorial
Wright Brothers National Memorial visitors were treated to
special activities and a spectacular day with slightly cooler weather on
Friday, August 19 for National Aviation Day at the Memorial. Many families
with children took the opportunity to participate in the Junior Ranger
program and flew their newly constructed kites in the breezy skies..
NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License Required on the Outer Banks
Staff Report FACTS
OUTER BANKS, NC
North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL), administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), was effective Jan. 1, 2007. This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) .
Requirements
This license allows recreational fishermen to harvest finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold. Fishermen using this license are held to the state’s recreational size and possession limits. This license cannot be assigned or transferred and is required for ANY type of recreational finfish harvest not included under the Recreational Commercial Gear License. Fishermen holding the CRFL are required to comply with all DMF sampling and survey programs.
The license is required to recreationally harvest finfish in the state’s Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3 miles – 200 miles offshore) will be required to have this license to land fish in state waters. Fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources commissions) will require either the CRFL or a WRC inland fishing license.
Exemptions
Individuals under16 years of age.
Individuals who purchase any of the following WRC licenses prior to Jan. 1, 2006:
· All categories of Lifetime Sportsman licenses;
· Lifetime Resident Comprehensive Fishing License;
· Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Disabled Resident Sportsman;
· Lifetime Fishing License for the Legally Blind; and
· Adult Care Home Resident Fishing License.
Blanket Licenses
For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons.
Waivers
A free license waiver will be available for subsistence anglers from their local Department of Social Services.
Sales Agents
The new license will be available from WRC license agents
throughout the state and at any DMF office. The number of license agents will be increased in coastal areas.
Marine Resources Funds
Proceeds from the sale of this license will go into two marine resources funds managed by the state’s Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources commissions. Revenues must be used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and/or enhance North Carolina’s marine resources.
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