NPS plans public scoping for flood mitigation planning

The National Park Service  will begin a public scoping period and hold two public meetings in October to obtain feedback and ideas from the public about areas of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the Buxton and Frisco area that experience flooding.

Several locations, including the Cape Point Campground, beach parking lots (near Ramp 43 and old Ramp 45), the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking lot, off-road vehicle ramps 43, 44, and 49, Lighthouse Road, and areas around the seashore’s administrative offices, have experienced persistent flooding over the last decade.
The Park Service says that although most seashore facilities have remained open while flooded, “flooding can diminish the visitor experience and make access to some areas challenging during large rainfall events.”

The seashore will evaluate the best available information on the hydrology and elevation in the flood-prone areas and evaluate options for flood mitigation. A 45-day public scoping period will begin on Sept. 21.

The public is also  invited to the following public scoping meetings:
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. in the  Dare County Administration Building, Commissioners Meeting Room, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.
Thursday, Oct. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Fessenden Center’s Activity Room, 46830 Highway12, Buxton, NC 27920.

The public scoping period begins on Sept. 21 and will end on Nov. 4.

During the public scoping period, comments can be made athttp://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha_cape_point_flood_mitigation, or mailed to: Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954.