Proposed regulations for off-road vehicle use at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina call for a permit system for users, seasonal limitations for some areas of the national seashore, and additional ramps to facilitate travel between the beach route and back route.

The rules, posted Friday in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period, would require ORV users to attend a short educational program and pay an as-of-yet undetermined permit fee. Permits, required for each ORV, initially would be capped at 5,500 vehicles per year. After five years, annual usage would be averaged to come up with an annual cap, not to exceed 5,500.

Under the preferred alternative, ORVs would be able to travel most of Cape Lookout; the plan also would create three seasonal "pedestrian only" areas on the seashore. 

Other aspects of the proposed rules include:

* Seven miles of existing pedestrian only areas would be changed from year-round to seasonal closures (Memorial Day – Labor Day);

* Creation of a designated route for ORVs in front of the Long Point and Great Island cabin camps;

* ORV permits would be valid for ORV use on both North and South Core Banks;

* An annual limit on the number of ORV permits that would be issued, would be determined based on 5 years of data instead of 3 years, and data from years with significant ORV closure events in excess of 14 days (such as a hurricane) would not be used to establish a vehicle cap;

* Night driving on beach ORV routes would not be allowed from 9 p.m. - 6 a.m. from May 1 to September 14. However, driving on the back routes would be allowed from 5 a.m. – 10 p.m., and at any time in the Great Island and Long Point cabin camps as defined on the map available at the office of the Superintendent and for review on the seashore's website;

* Vehicles with a two-stroke engine would be prohibited immediately;

* New prohibitions (including use of sport-model ATV/UTVs, trailers exceeding 30 feet in length and vehicles with wheel base exceeding 180 inches) would be phased in after a one year grace period.

To receive an ORV permit, the vehicle in queston "must be registered, licensed, and insured for highway use and comply with inspection regulations within the state, province or country, where the vehicle is registered. ORV operators (except for ATVs and UTVs) would be required to carry a low-pressure tire gauge, shovel, jack, and jack stand/board in the vehicle."

Public comment on the proposed rules is being taken through February 16, 2016.