2008-2009 Beach Driving Season

2008-2009 Beach Driving Season
BEACH DRIVING REGULATIONS

Dear Beach Driving Permit Holder:

Welcome to Emerald Isle’s beautiful beaches!  We hope you enjoy your time on the beach, and have many successful fishing ventures! 

The Town of Emerald Isle is proud of its beaches, and welcomes beachgoers of all interests to enjoy everything the beaches have to offer.  The Town greatly values its image as “A Family Beach”, and there are often people of all ages walking, playing, and relaxing on our beaches.  There are often many small children on the beach, and their safety is our greatest concern.  We urge you to drive with caution and courtesy, and respect others’ right to also enjoy the public beach.  The Town has invested significant local funds in the preservation of our beaches and dunes.  We urge you to avoid all primary dune areas, which provide vital protection during hurricanes and other storm events.  Finally, the Town also greatly values the unique wildlife on our beaches.  Emerald Isle is home to Federal endangered and/or threatened sea turtle nests and bird nests, and we urge you to drive with concern for these animals’ nesting areas. 

The Town has adopted an ordinance regulating beach driving activities, and we are committed to ensuring compliance with these regulations.  The Emerald Isle Police Department will strictly enforce the Town’s regulations.  The Town’s main regulations are summarized as follows:

• No driving is allowed on the beach without an official Town of Emerald Isle beach driving permit.

• Driving is allowed from September 15 to April 30, with the exception of the 10-day period from and including the Friday prior to Easter until and including the Sunday that occurs 7 days after Easter.

• Driving is allowed from 5 am until 9 pm daily during September, October, and April.  Driving is allowed from 5 am until 7 pm daily during November, December, January, February, and March.

• Authorized beach access ramps are located at the Ocean Drive “dog-leg” (near mile marker 15 on NC 58), at the end of Black Skimmer Drive (across from Town Hall), and on Ocean Drive near the end of Doe Drive and Sea Dunes Drive (off Coast Guard Road).

• Driving on primary dunes is strictly prohibited.

• The Town is experiencing oceanfront erosion in the vicinity of The Point, and this entire area is closed to beach driving until the beach stabilizes in this area.  The vehicle access ramp at The Point is closed indefinitely.  No beach driving is permitted west of the Channel Drive pedestrian beach access.

• Other sections of the beach may be closed from time to time in order to protect endangered and/or threatened sea turtle and bird nests, and/or to provide for general protection of public health, safety, and welfare.  Closed sections will be posted and roped, and beach drivers must avoid these areas entirely. 

• The speed limit is 20 mph.  Please travel at lower speeds near other beachgoers.

• Do not dispose of litter on the beach strand.  All litter must be taken off the beach or placed in Town trash receptacles.

  The penalties for violations of the Town’s regulations range from $50 to $500 plus court costs, and may include the revocation of your beach driving permit.  In addition, violations affecting endangered and/or threatened species, whether intentional or unintentional, also carry stiff Federal penalties with fines up to $50,000 and/or jail time.

  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable beach experience for beach drivers and others visiting our beach. 

  Good luck with the fishing!                                                               

  

  Frank A. Rush, Jr.,
  Town Manager