Update On “Operation Consent Decree”

A new act of vandalism and trespass to posted shorebird protection areas occurred on Bodie Island Spit just north of Oregon Inlet on Sunday, June 22nd. Park staff discovered damaged fencing and off-road vehicle tire tracks within three resource protection areas south of Ramp 4 towards the inlet. The ranger who investigated the violation found one sign destroyed and numerous tire spin-out tracks in the sand, including zigzagging across the beach, “doughnut” tire marks, and evidence of sand thrown considerable distances from the tire tracks, which suggested that the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed. In accord with the court-ordered consent decree, the park automatically expanded the closure area by 50 meters. Should there be a subsequent violation, the buffer zone will be expanded by 100 meters; a third would cause it to be expanded by 500 meters.