Contractor arrives at Buxton FUDS property; Removal of petroleum-contaminated soils may begin next week
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following press release on Friday, September 20, which provides an update on the ongoing work to remediate petroleum contamination at Buxton Beach.
The company contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, arrived today at the former Buxton Naval Facility, a Formerly Used Defense Sites property, located within the Cape Hatteras Seashore, to do a site survey and to continue the response actions the District team initiated Sept. 11, 2024.
Over the past week and a half, a District team has been at the site monitoring the changing conditions for new petroleum releases and digging test pits at varying depths, generally down to the water table, along the west side of the dunes, and on the beach area. The team has identified several areas with petroleum-impacted soil that the contractor will excavate and remove. Since the team’s arrival, no new petroleum releases have emerged, due to the sand accumulation along the beach.
Heavy excavating equipment and roll-off containers are expected to arrive at the site as early as Wednesday, Sept. 25. Once the equipment is on-site, the contractors will begin work along the beach to further investigate the site. They will excavate and containerize any petroleum-impacted soil they encounter, transporting and disposing of the material at an off-site waste management facility.
The final pipe removal report is still in the review process, but is anticipated to be complete in early November, pending any unforeseen delays. The final geophysical report is also expected to be complete by early November. These reports will primarily be used to inform the comprehensive sampling plan, which should begin sometime before the end of the year.
Additionally, the Savannah District will continue to provide updates to the public and agency stakeholders about the ongoing response efforts taking place at the FUDS property and host its first public meeting around late October or early November.
The FUDS property is a construction site and is not safe for public and/or media access. Photos and videos should be taken from a safe distance outside of the active work and beach closure areas.
Click here for more information on the current remediation efforts.
