BUXTON, N.C. — A section of Buxton Beach is still closed more than a month after petroleum contamination prompted a “precautionary public health advisory."
The three-tenths mile section of beach near Old Lighthouse Road has been taped off for weeks following reports of petroleum odors and sheen on the ocean water. Officials with Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Monday said there’s no timeline to reopen.
People who live in Buxton tell 13News Now they’re frustrated the contaminated section of beach has seemingly gone ignored for some time.
"It's impacted everybody's lives," said Brian Harris, who lives near the contaminated site.
Harris is among a group of concerned citizens who started the “Buxton Civic Association.” The group's goal is to get the beach cleaned up as soon as possible.
"We needed to get something that represented the community together, and we needed to get it together fast, so that we had a voice... at the table," said Jason Hall, another member of the association.
According to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the petroleum contamination stems from an abandoned military site that once sat on the beach. After strong storms, erosion uncovered potentially hazardous infrastructure that had been buried beneath the sand for years.
"I think the sad thing is it's been sitting there for 40 years and a storm uncovered it. We've had 40 years to clean it up," said Harris.
Hall said he fears potential health impacts, living so close to the former military site.
“Having been here for quite a few years now and having used this beach as regularly as I have, my family has, my friends and their family have, my neighbors, we’re, of course. concerned," Hall said.
Weeks after the group's formation, cleanup efforts are beginning to pick up. Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) visited the Buxton Beach site last week and met with Dare County officials.
“I wanted to see the site firsthand, and more importantly, I wanted to meet the agency representatives who live and work here,” Col. Ron Sturgeon, Savannah District, commander, said in a press release. “I want them to know, even though it’s a slow process, we are making progress, we take this matter seriously and have made it a priority since it was first reported.”
In a press release Friday, USACE said a third-party contractor is set to remove a pipe on the beach and determine if it’s the source of the petroleum contamination.
In a statement to 13News Now, Dare County Commission Chairman Bob Woodard said he's pleased USACE is moving forward ahead of schedule to remove the pipe and perform soil testing.
Woodard said USACE made a commitment to hold public meetings to keep the community informed.
"With assurances that these environmental issues will be addressed, the next step is getting the proper federal agency to step up and remove the dilapidated infrastructure so that the Buxton Beach Access can return to being a safe place for everyone to enjoy," Woodard said.
According to USACE, the pipe removal and sample collection are set to be completed by May 24.