Cape Hatteras National Seashore seeks public input on plan for improvements at Oregon Inlet Marina

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore invites public review and comment on a Site Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) for improvements at Oregon Inlet Marina (also known as Oregon Inlet Fishing Center).

Oregon Inlet Marina is located on the shoreline facing Pamlico sound and just north of the Oregon Inlet and Basnight Bridge. The 11-acre marina premises include a 60-slip marina, seven buildings, parking, and a fueling system.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center is managed by Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, LLC under a 20-year lease with the National Park Service (2018-2038). Oregon Inlet Fishing Center provides marina slip rentals for charter fishing boats, headboats and tour boats; booking services for charter fishing and other boats; retail sales; and food and beverage sales. The marina lessee is also authorized to provide non-motorized watercraft rentals (such as kayaks and canoes); special events, such as fishing tournaments; and a children’s play area.

The purpose of the EA is to address management of aging buildings that are not adapted to sea level rise, vessel traffic, navigation, and fueling challenges in the marina, parking shortages, pedestrian and traffic flow, and the viewshed.

The EA evaluates two alternatives – a no-action alternative and the proposed action. The no-action alternative continues the current management of the project area. Under the proposed action/preferred alternative, the park and marina lessee (Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, LLC) propose to replace and elevate buildings and wastewater systems, increase parking capacity, enhance traffic and vehicle circulation, modernize the vessel fueling system and fueling docks, construct transient docks, implement stormwater control, construct an open-air pavilion, and perform maintenance dredging.

Comments may be submitted electronically at parkplanning.nps.gov/oregon_inlet_fishingcenter, the preferred method, or mailed to: Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954. Deadline to submit comments is April 3, 2021.