Dare Health Dept. issues Health Advisory after storm-related beach erosion in Buxton

By Outer Banks Voice on September 25, 2023

Sept. 1 photo of an eroded stretch of beach containing old infrastructure. (NPS Photo)

On the afternoon of Sept. 1, Cape Hatteras National Seashore temporarily closed a stretch of beach between the Buxton Beach Access and the area of the Buxton jetties after substantial post-storm beach erosion was observed and reports of a strong smell of fuel were received from visitors.

At the time, the Seashore reported that the beach erosion caused by distant Hurricane Franklin and Tropical Storm Idalia had exposed potentially hazardous infrastructure from a former military site at the end of Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton.

Today, on Sept. 25, the Dare County Department of Health and Human Service issued a Precautionary Public Health Advisory related to that situation.

Here is the advisory.

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services—in conjunction with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—is issuing a precautionary advisory due to impacts from petroleum contaminated soils likely exposed by recent beach erosion near the former U.S. Coast Guard Group Cape Hatteras station area in Buxton at Cape Hatteras National Seashore—from approximately 46285 Old Lighthouse Road to, and including, the first jetty.

Historic military activity occurred in this area during the 1950s and through parts of the 1980s, and samples were taken by the U.S Coast Guard after rangers with Cape Hatteras National Seashore noticed a strong smell of fuel. The testing of the samples indicated the soil contained weathered light fuel oil, a small amount of lubricating oil, petroleum hydrocarbons, and non-petroleum contamination

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard have been actively studying and remediating historic petroleum contamination at the site.

Cheri Pritchard, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said, “We are aware of the situation along the shorelines of Buxton, N.C., and our technical team has made this a priority as they look into the matter…If it is determined the petroleum-contaminated soil is related to a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does respond to DoD generated contamination that occurred before the property was transferred to private owners or to federal, state, tribal or local government entities.”

Until the petroleum contaminated soils are mitigated, and the area is declared safe, environmental and public health officials recommend:

•  Avoid swimming, wading or fishing in this area in Buxton at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, from approximately 46285 Old Lighthouse Road, to and including, the first jetty until further notice.
•  If skin comes in contact with contaminated sediment or water, thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water.

In addition to the potential health risks related to petroleum contamination, there are a number of remnants of previous U.S. Coast Guard and Naval installations, including concrete bunkers and steel infrastructure that may pose hazards to swimmers, surfers and beach goers.

Additionally, if you live in or near the impacted area and have a private drinking well, it is recommended that you have the well water sampled to ensure it does not contain contaminants. If the well is a drinking water well, please contact the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services at 252.475.5088 to schedule sampling.

If you notice any plumes, sheens, or fish kills in this area, avoid coming into contact with these waters and report these conditions by calling 800.424.8802.

For general information about the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, at 912.652.5673. For FUDS media queries, call the Army Corps at 912.652.5014.

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