Nesting Plovers Prompt North Beach ORV Closure
Cape Cod Chronicle, June 19, 2008
by Alan Pollock

            CHATHAM — Three nests of piping plovers near the Pochet section of North Beach have prompted officials to close the entire barrier beach to off-road vehicle traffic until the chicks have fledged.  The closure was put in effect Monday, giving ORV users one last weekend to enjoy the beach.

            The beach remains open to pedestrians, except for the areas immediately around the nests, which are cordoned off with string.

            Officials say it is difficult to predict how long the ORV closure will last.  Two of the nests were expected to hatch on June 16, and the third was expected to hatch on June 23.  If those chicks fully fledge, the beach will remain closed until at least July 18.  But officials warn the date could very easily be later if the two other pairs of plovers in the area lay eggs.  Also, if predators or storms destroy the nests during that time, the plovers may lay new eggs, starting the clock again.

            The current nests are all located in the Pochet overwash area, within 75 feet of the ORV trail.  Because chicks are expected to be present on the entire width of the beach from Pleasant Bay to the ocean, ORV access to the whole beach is restricted.  Vehicles with current ORV stickers will be allowed to park in the paved parking lot without charge.  As of Tuesday, the only Chatham property owner with a habitable camp, Bill Hammatt, had not taken advantage of the town-operated escort program which would allow him to drive to his property under the supervision of trained shorebird monitors. 

            The closure is not unexpected, and together with the persistent erosion of the barrier beach, is one factor for the slump in ORV permit sales this year.  Chatham Police Capt. John Cauble said only around 190 resident ORV stickers had been sold this season, about half of the normal number.  The failure of the front beach to accrete this spring has meant little room for ORVs to park. 

            Updates on the closure will be posted on the Orleans town website.

            Though the erosion at the southern tip of North Beach has slowed considerably, it continues to threaten “Town Hall,” the southernmost building on the beach.  Owner John Kelley moved the building once to avoid losing it to erosion, and anchored it in place by passing a chain in one window and out another, fastening both ends to a boat anchor.

            But with the bluff still slowly advancing, Kelley last weekend dragged the camp a few more yards back on his land.  He said it appears someone stole his camp’s anchor, and there is evidence that people have been inside the building.  But there is also some reason for optimism, he said.

            Sand appears to be collecting at the southern tip of the beach, curling landward in what Kelley has dubbed “Kelley Point.”  The shallow lagoon inside the spit is just deep enough for a small boat at mid-tide.

            “I think I’ve got enough room that we should be OK now, but I’ve said that three times now,” he quipped.

            Meanwhile, beach traffic has been heavy on North Beach Island, with beachgoers coming over by boat on warm days.  There are plover nests on the island but none have eggs which have hatched, Cauble said.  A huge tern colony has formed on the southern tip of the beach, which was cordoned off some time ago. 

            “It hasn’t effected the rest of the beach,” he said.

            Efforts to clean up debris from the beach have not yet come to fruition, Cauble said.  Plans to install an informational sign on the island also have been delayed, he noted.

6/19/08