The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) recently launched a new webpage on Buxton Beach with background information, resources, and information about how NCCF has been involved in calling for action to remediate Buxton's contaminated shoreline. Details have been posted.
A three-tenths of a mile stretch of Buxton's waterfront has been cut off after two offshore hurricanes exposed old infrastructure and reeked of oil at the site of a former naval and military base. It will be closed from September 1, 2023. From 1956 he served in the United States Coast Guard until 2010.
The area was designated as a Former Defense Site (FUDS) in 1998, and pursuant to the original 1956 agreement, the U.S. Corps of Engineers conducted cleanup and structure removal operations to restore the site to its pristine, pre-military condition. can now be restored. Contact the National Park Service to use the grounds.
“Since the first positive oil test at the Buxton site, the Federation has been gathering information and advocating for a cleanup through multiple site visits, public meetings, and outreach to all relevant agencies and organizations.” said coastal advocate Alison Flynn. Environmental economist at NCCF.
“On April 5, we, along with the Southern Environmental Law Center, filed a request with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to meet its legal obligations to remove hazardous materials from this former defense facility. The purpose of launching the page is to serve as an information hub for our ongoing advocacy efforts, providing resources, documents, and important updates to our members and supporters.
A copy of the April 5 letter sent by NCCF and the Southern Environmental Law Center can be found here. NCCF's new Buxton Beach webpage can be viewed here.
In addition, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has its own web page dedicated to Buxton Beach issues, as well as a recently added FAQ section.
Find out more about Buxton Beach and how to get involved.
- The Buxton Civic Association was started as a community organization to address beach issues in Buxton and meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm at the Buxton Fire Station. We welcome participation from the general public, so please come and join us.
- Development information from the Buxton Civic Association (BCA) can be accessed through the organization's new website (Buxtoncivic.com) or the BCA's official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/buxtonnccivicassociation).
- The public can also take part in an ongoing email and letter-writing campaign that was started in mid-March by Buxton community members.
- If you encounter a fuel odor or fuel sheen while visiting the Buxton shoreline near Old Lighthouse Road, report it by calling the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. please. Include the date, time, location, and basic details of what you saw and smelled. please don't call If you have not experienced the problem directly or are not physically affected by it.
- Click here for more background on the current Buxton Beach issue from Island Free Press.
- While Buxton Beach's environmental issues are considered a serious emergency, it's important to remember that only three-tenths of a mile of shoreline is closed, out of the 125 miles of the National Seashore. This means the public can visit and enjoy Buxton and Hatteras Island in general. The biggest concern is that this problem needs to be addressed now before it grows over time and weather.