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Three-tenths-of-a-mile of beach remains closed

Following a recent interim response action by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and consultations with the Dare County Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS), Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) has reopened an approximately two-tenths-of-a-mile section of beach starting at the southernmost jetty in Buxton and continuing to the south.

Old Lighthouse Beach visitors should use the parking lot near the lifeguarded beach until the Corps’ contractor completes the removal of its equipment from near the northern parking lot adjacent to the Old Lighthouse Beach Access. The removal of contractor equipment was expected to occur by the afternoon of Dec. 20, 2024.

The decision to essentially revert to the original three-tenths-of-a-mile closure area adjacent to the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), also known as the Buxton Beach Access, was made after factoring in the amount of contaminated soil and water removed by the Corps and the prolonged period of time between the last report of apparent petroleum sheens or odors in the area.

According to a Dec. 11, 2024 project update from the Corps, the following approximate quantities were removed from the Buxton FUDS during its interim action:

• 4,599 cubic yards of petroleum-impacted soil
• 99,526 gallons of petroleum-impacted water
• 278,000 pounds of concrete (removed when concrete impeded response efforts)
• 1,153 feet of pipe
• 1,088 feet of metallic debris, cable/wire

“Contaminated soil and water are likely still present in the beach adjacent to the Buxton FUDS, so the Seashore will continue to monitor and keep this three-tenths-of-mile section of beach closed to the public,” noted the Cape Hatteras National Seashore announcement.

An amended precautionary public health advisory by the Dare County DHHS is forthcoming.

In the coming months, the Corps is expected to comprehensively sample soil and groundwater within the Buxton FUDS with the intent to delineate the nature and extent of any petroleum contamination remaining at the site. To learn more about the Corps’ actions at the Buxton FUDS, go to sas.usace.army.mil/Missions/Formerly-Used-Defense-Sites/Buxton-Naval-Facility.

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