NASA CLOSES AREAS Orlando Sentinel -- Friday, September 21, 2001 After last week's terrorist attacks, NASA has expanded its security zone around the Kennedy Space Center, effectively closing the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, said Dorn Whitmore, chief ranger for the refuge. Areas closed are: Mosquito Lagoon south of Haulover Canal. Playalinda Beach in the Canaveral National Seashore. The Black Point Wildlife Drive and other scenic roads within the refuge. The so-called "no-motor" zone of the Banana River north of the Barge Canal. Whitmore said during the early duck season, which opens Saturday, hunters may only use Area 3 and the north part of Area 4, which is north of Haulover Canal. Hunters must access these areas from the north on State Road 3. Whitmore did not know how long the expanded security zone would be in place. The Coast Guard is enforcing 100-yard security zones around cruise ships, tankers and Navy vessels berthed in Port Canaveral, said Petty Officer Robert Suddarth at the Coast Guard's district office in Miami. The zones effectively bar recreational boaters from the port's west turning basin whenever a cruise ship is docked there. Anglers will not be permitted to anchor near the entrance to the Trident sub basin. Suddarth said recreational boaters entering and leaving the port will be under closer scrutiny by Coast Guard patrol boats and may be stopped for questioning. The Canaveral Port Authority is keeping recreational boats at least 25 feet from any docks in the port. Copyright (c) 2001, Sentinel Communications Co.

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