This Land, Your Land

Cape Hatteras National Seashore will require a permit for driving on the seashore between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning next Wednesday, September 16, until November 15. A permit, signed and dated by the driver of the vehicle, must be visibly displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle.

Permits are available online at http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/off-road-vehicle-use.htm, and should be printed out in color if possible. They were also to be available by Wednesday of this week at any Cape Hatteras National Seashore Visitor Center, Whalebone Information Center, Hatteras Weather Station and local tackle shops.

Also next Wednesday, these areas will reopen to off-road vehicles:

* Tri-villages (Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo) beachfront, approximately 3 miles from the southernmost boundary of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge to Ramp 23.
* Avon village beachfront, approximately 4 miles.
* Ocracoke Campground and day use area beaches, approximately 2.5 miles.

Off-road vehicle night driving permits and summertime closure of the beaches above are required under the terms of the court-approved consent decree to help increase the nesting success of sea turtles, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the National Park Service news release says.

No permit will be required to drive on the national seashore at night from November 16 to April 30, 2010.