National Park Service News Release

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  DATE:   February 18, 2011

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

         2011 Pre-nesting Closure Information Available to the Public

 Superintendent Mike Murray announced today that the Cape Hatteras National Seashore 2011 pre-nesting closure summary description and maps have been released and are available to the public on the PEPC website under the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy project at:

 http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=358&projectID=13331&documentID=39239

 Park natural resource staff conducted the annual assessment of piping plover (PIPL) breeding habitat and identified prenesting areas based on current habitat conditions and consideration of PIPL breeding activity in recent years.  The pre-nesting areas will be established by March 15, 2011 in accordance with the consent decree.  Temporary resource protection areas are established to protect threatened and endangered species, including piping plovers and sea turtles, and for species of concern, including American oystercatchers and colonial waterbirds (terns and black skimmers).

Visitors are reminded that pets must be physically restrained at all times on a leash no greater than 6 feet on all National Seashore beaches.

 For more information, call 252-473-2111 ext. 148.

                                    -NPS-