BUXTON, N.C. (WAVY) — 10 On Your Side is hearing directly form the Army Corps of Engineers about the work set to begin on Monday at an old Navy base that’s been linked to petroleum odors and a sheen in the water.

The base was decommissioned in the 1980s. Even through decades of cleanup efforts, erosion reveals parts of the Navy base are still on the beach. The Army Corps of Engineers is now set to spend the entire week of June 24 geologically surveying the site to find any source of petroleum leaking out.

10 On Your Side spoke with Sara Keisler, the Army Corps project manager for remediating the site at Buxton Beach Access. In their search for where the petroleum is coming from, she said the crews will look for piping, oil water separators and any remaining piece of infrastructure linked to the petroleum.

After being asked if they’re aware of any fuel tanks left underground, Keisler said they intend to get an answer to that question during the survey this week.

One major challenge to the project Keisler cited is the simple fact the site is on a beach. Tides moving the sand and erosion over the years make this a highly dynamic site.

“It’s changed over the last few decades,” Keisler said. “So us gathering additional information about the site so we can really determine the extent of the contamination still present … such as soil and groundwater.”

They are still only able to deal with parts of the site that leak petroleum. So structural things like the slabs of concrete and rebar will need to be removed by a different entity.

WAVY’s Nick Broadway asked about a letter signed by Dare County leaders, pleading with the federal government to remove the entire site. Keisler said they are just not authorized to do that.

“We’re just here to make sure we protect human health and the environment, and that we look forward to going out there and continuing to sample, and really determine the extent of the contamination so we can clear it up,” Keisler said.

They are still waiting for the results of a soil sample they took after removing a pipe a few weeks ago.