State and New Hanover County officials are putting out the word: Be smart during the upcoming July Fourth holiday at the Masonboro Island Reserve.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management announced Thursday that it had been working with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in preparation for the holiday. The agencies are urging the public to act responsibly when visiting the research reserve and dedicated state nature preserve in New Hanover County.
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The state coastal agency and the sheriff’s office are working to provide public safety resources and increase public awareness of responsible visitor behavior on the island, the division said.
“Our partnership with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office continues to keep visitors to Masonboro Island Reserve safe,” said Division of Coastal Management Director Tancred Miller. “Celebrate responsibly while enjoying Masonboro Island or any of North Carolina’s other Coastal Reserve or National Estuarine Research Reserve sites during the July Fourth holiday.”
The agencies said visitors should not attempt the dangerous swim across Masonboro Inlet and should make responsible decisions that limit the impact on natural resources.
Officials noted that there are limited resources and no available facilities on the research reserve, so before visiting Masonboro Island Reserve or other reserve sites, review visitor guidelines on the reserve’s website.
Preparedness is key for safety – visitors should carry proper supplies, use reliable transport, pack out all their trash and keep the safety of other visitors in mind, officials said.
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