Cape Hatteras National Seashore staffers are now working with the National Park Service lessee at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Oregon Inlet Marinas, LLC, to develop strategies to replace vulnerable structures and conduct site improvements at the marina. Members of the public are invited to provide comments.

Oregon Inlet Marina is located at 98 NC 12, Nags Head in the Bodie Island district of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The marina is just north of the new Marc Basnight Oregon Inlet Bridge. The marina includes a 60-slip marina, seven buildings, about 7.4 acres of upland and submerged land, parking lots and fuel system for vessels and vehicles. The marina is adjacent to the National Park Service public boat ramp and U.S. Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is managed by Oregon Inlet Marinas, LLC under a 20-year lease with the National Park Service (2018-2038). In general, the fishing center provides marina slip rentals for charter fishing boats, headboats, and tour boats; booking services for charter fishing and other boats; retail sales as well as food and beverage sales. The fishing center is also authorized to provide non-motorized watercraft rentals (such as kayaks and canoes); special events, such as fishing tournaments; and a children’s play area.

The marina facilities and premises that support these services have not been substantially improved or updated in decades, according to NPS. The National Park Service and Oregon Inlet Marinas, LLC, seek to replace the existing, deteriorating structures with modern, sustainable buildings that are adapted to sea level rise and storm surge, as well as make additional improvements to the premises.

The key issues are:

– The main marina building was constructed 1963-1964 and all of the buildings within the marina are in poor condition and vulnerable to storm surge and sea level rise.

– The location of the marine fuel docks causes traffic congestion and safety hazards.

– The existing improved parking areas are inadequate to meet customer, visitor and employee needs.

Three draft strategies are presented in a media release:

– Replace buildings with sustainable, energy-efficient and elevated buildings.

– Replace existing marine fuel pumps with in-slip fueling and a transient fuel dock.

– Formalize overflow parking area.

The timeline for the projects indicates that planning and environmental planning will take place until fall 2020. Construction and improvement projects would start in fall 2020. Construction and improvement projects would be complete in early 2022.

Submit comments to parkplanning.nps.gov/oregon_inlet_fishingcenter by Jan. 10, 2020. Two questions posed: are there other actions beside those listed to consider and what suggestions could address the key issues.

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