MANTEO, N.C. (WAVY) – Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced on Thursday they are temporarily expanding a beach closure on Buxton Beach due to petroleum odors caused by erosion.
According to officials, the expansion implemented in part with the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services will close the beach from the end of Old Lighthouse Road to .25 miles south of the old lighthouse jetties. This includes the beachfront in front of the southern groin and the Old Lighthouse Beach parking areas.
Over the course of just over a day, erosion caused several feet of sand to wash away in front of the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), exposing petroleum soaked soil and groundwater to the beachfront during low tide, and wave action during high tide, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Staff notified members of the National Response Center, Army Corps of Engineers and other State of North Carolina agencies of the exposure in order to assist with the pollution response. The Regional Response Team has also been requested for assistance.
10 On Your Side’s Nick Broadway has been following the ongoing issues of pollution at the old naval base, as officials believe the petroleum could be leaking into the ocean.
A Buxton Civic Association formed in late July in the hopes of putting more pressure on the federal government to seek answers after representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers stated they cannot remove the rest of the site.
More information on the closure can be found on the National Park Service’s website here.