Cape Hatteras National Seashore has implemented a three-tenths-of-a-mile precautionary closure of shoreline adjacent to the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site, due to the presence of petroleum odors and light sheens.
The closure spans from the southern boundary of Buxton Village to the southernmost groin (jetty) located at Old Lighthouse Beach, the same stretch of beach was closed from Sept. 1, 2023, to June 12, 2025.
Erosion caused by strong surf over the past 24 hours caused the loss of substantial amounts of beach sand and exposed apparently contaminated soils that remain at the site.
The Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District and the Coast Guard’s National Response Center have been notified.
Petroleum contamination is known to be present at the site, and the Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District made significant efforts to remove petroleum-impacted soil and groundwater during fall 2024 and winter 2025, and they are currently working to implement additional sampling and potential remediation efforts.
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