Congested Boat Ramps Cause Parking Concerns

[NCangler]

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 1) - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is urging the public to pay close attention to regulations posted at public access boat ramps after the Memorial Day weekend led to an especially high occurrence of parking tickets and vehicles towed.

Over the busy holiday weekend, many Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramps were overflowing with boaters, chief among them public access areas at Oak Island and Snow's Cut. At both locations, individuals were cited for parking in unmarked spaces or for leaving single vehicles in spots reserved for those towing boat trailers.

In response to the problem, the Commission will post larger, more pronounced parking regulations at both access areas. In addition, the Commission will improve signage that designates single vehicle parking at the Snow's Cut access area. Plans are underway to reconfigure the parking area at Oak Island to include five-to-10 single-vehicle spaces.

"Our boat ramps are bearing the burden of increased demand for public water access," said Erik Christofferson. "Our goal is to maximize opportunities for boaters."

The Commission constantly strives to make the public waters of North Carolina more accessible to its citizens. On one level this means finding and developing new boat ramps and docks, but on another level it means enforcing parking regulations to ensure spaces are available for boaters.

For more information on public access areas visit the Commission's website, www.ncwildlife.org.