Dare County issues an updated Public Health Advisory after Buxton Beach closure is expanded

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services released the following, updated Public Health Advisory on Sunday, September 8, in response to the expansion of the Buxton Beach closure. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced the closure expansion on Thursday, September 5.  

The closure includes the beachfront in front of the southern groin and the Old Lighthouse Beach parking areas. The closure area may change over the coming days based on ongoing field observations.

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) in conjunction with Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) are issuing an updated public health advisory for the Seashore’s Buxton Beach Access, also known as the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), 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.

The area extends from the southern end of the location of beachfront homes in the village of Buxton located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, to approximately 0.25 miles south of the old lighthouse jetties and includes the beachfront in front of the southern groin and the Old Lighthouse Beach parking areas. This updated advisory expands the geographic area of risk from petroleum exposure that was previously identified in the initial public health advisory issued on March 25, 2024.

Recent impacts from high surf, winds, and erosion have resulted in further degradation of the Buxton FUDS. Pipes of different diameters are now exposed around and within the former military site. Apparent petroleum sheens have been observed running off of potentially contaminated soils into the ocean. Diesel/Petroleum odors, ranging from moderate to intense odors, have been present around and up to a mile south of the FUDS site. Eye irritation and headaches have been reported from individuals at and near the FUDS site.

The beach in the area described above has been CLOSED by the National Park Service and this public advisory is issued to reinforce the importance of not entering the closed area to avoid any potential health risks associated with petroleum exposure. Until the petroleum-contaminated soils and release into the environment are mitigated, and the area is declared safe, environmental and public health officials recommend:

• Not entering the closed area for any reason to include swimming, wading, or fishing in this area in Buxton, the southern end of the location of beachfront homes in the village of Buxton located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road, to approximately 0.25 miles south of the old lighthouse jetties and includes the beachfront in front of the southern groin and the Old Lighthouse Beach parking areas 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 are unsafe and pose hazards to swimmers, surfers and beachgoers.

Click here for more information from the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services.