The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed a team earlier this week to the Former Buxton Naval Facility, a Formerly Used Defense Sites property located within Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County, North Carolina. The team is on-site and responding to recent reports of fuel sheen and odors along the beach.
The USACE team, comprised of geologists and heavy equipment operators, is digging west of the dunes to locate the source of the reported petroleum sheen. If the USACE team encounters petroleum-impacted soils while digging, the team will remove the impacted soils from the property.
“Our team on the ground is working diligently to locate and manage any petroleum-impacted soils,” said Col. Ronald Sturgeon, USACE, Savannah District commander. “We remain committed to collaborating with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the environment and community.”
Additionally, USACE awarded a contract today and will soon direct a contractor to remove contaminated soils from the beach and dunes to mitigate the release. The selected contractor is expected to begin on-site operations by Sep. 20, 2024. Until the contractor arrives, the USACE team will remain in place to provide continued support and oversight.
The USACE Team will also be on-site this Sunday and Monday as there is an expected King Tide event. The team has the capability and will respond to any potential petroleum releases.
USACE is in communication and coordinating with multiple Federal and State agencies and the community to resolve this evolving issue.
For more information about Buxton FUDS site, please visit our frequently asked questions page at:
https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/Missions/Formerly-Used-Defense-Sites/Buxton-Naval-Facility/