Closure at Buxton Beach Access due to petroleum smell, sheen in water

MANTEO, N.C. (WAVY) — Cape Hatteras National Seashore expanded the area of a beach closure at Buxton Beach Access and issued a new precautionary public health advisory Monday due to a petroleum odor and sheen in the ocean.

The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, issued the public health advisory for the Buxton Beach Access due to impacts from petroleum contaminated soils likely exposed by beach erosion near the former site of Naval Facility Cape Hatteras and Coast Guard Group Cape Hatteras in Buxton, from about 46285 Old Lighthouse Road, to and including the first jetty.”

Officials say Seashore staff noticed the odor and sheen near an old military site previously used by the Navy and Coast Guard.

Around two-tenths of a mile of beach near the former military site has been closed since Sept. 1, 2023. Sunday’s expansion of the closure now makes the closed area approximately three-tenths of a mile long.

Seashore will be meeting with both the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers about the observations.

Multiple soil samples have been taken by the Corps, Coast Guard and Seashore since Sept. 1, 2023, and the testing indicated that “the soil contained weathered light fuel oil, a small amount of lubricating oil, petroleum hydrocarbons, and non-petroleum contamination.”

The beach in this area has stayed closed since then, and no onsite mitigation work has begun.

Until the petroleum contaminated soils are mitigated, environmental and public health officials recommend:

• Avoid swimming, wading or fishing in this area in Buxton, from approximately 46285 Old Lighthouse Road, to and including, the first jetty until further notice. Reports of varying mild to moderate symptoms including headache, nausea and skin irritation have been shared by individuals after participation in recreational water activities in the impacted area.
• 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 what is believed to be Navy and Coast Guard infrastructure, including concrete bunkers and building foundations that may pose hazards to swimmers, surfers and beach goers.
• 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, contact Dare County DHHS 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 the EPA/National Response Center at 800.424.8802.

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