Buxton Beach remediation takes center stage at annual State of the County presentation

The 2025 State of the County presentation covered a spectrum of topics that had impacted Dare County and Hatteras Island over the past year, which included the evolution of issues surrounding Buxton Beach.

A small section of Buxton shoreline at the end of Old Lighthouse Road closed to the public in September 2023 after two offshore hurricanes revealed leftover infrastructure from a 1956-2010 military base, as well as sporadic but strong petroleum smells.

Because the 50-acre site is part of the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for addressing petroleum contaminants related to Navy activity from 1956-1982.

However, at this time last year, the debris and petroleum problems were accelerating, and there was no solution in sight for remediating the shoreline.

At Wednesday’s State of the County presentation, Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC) Chairman Bob Woodard noted that a lot has changed in 12 months.

“It was amazing that you saw this kind of devastation on our coast – the most pristine coast in all of North Carolina – that some three million visitors come to every single year,” said Woodard.

Soon after the petroleum and debris problems became highly noticeable in February 2024, the BOC passed a resolution and met with Washington D.C. officials, and the Buxton Civic Association (BCA) was formed soon after in April.

“That made a difference… They brought critical awareness to this problem,” said Woodard.

Woodard also singled out David Hallac, Superintendent of the Outer Banks Group of National Parks, as instrumental in bringing attention to the problem. “This gentleman paved the way for two solid years,” said Woodard.

After months of local involvement and pressure, the USACE conducted an intensive remediation response in September, removing notable amounts of petroleum-impacted soils and debris in the process. By the end of 2024, a section of the beach – the famed Old Lighthouse Beach – reopened to the public, a community-oriented Restoration Advisory Board was being formed, and heightened plans were in the works to repair the Buxton jetties before a 2026 Buxton Beach nourishment project.

“It has been a year, which feels like five decades and five minutes, all at the same time,” said BCA President Heather Jennette. “But it’s been really impressive to see what a group of people working together can get done.”

The annual State of the County traditionally has an upbeat and celebratory tone on all topics, as the BOC outlines their accomplishments and milestones over the past year.

In the Buxton Beach arena, this triumphant mood was justified, although while speaking to the crowd of 226 attendees, BCA board members noted that there was still a lot of work to do.

“Phase two is going to be extensive,” said Jennette, referring to an upcoming petroleum comprehensive sampling study, which will examine the entire 50-acre FUDS property to determine the extent of remaining petroleum and contaminants.

“So, phase one that the Army Corps did [in the fall of 2024] was getting rid of what you saw in photos,” said Jennette. “It really all kind of worked out that to get rid of the environmental concerns, they had to get rid of the [debris and infrastructure] that was seen as well.”

“And now, we’re dealing with the unseen,” she said. “So, phase two is going to be a lot more comprehensive, and they’re committed to really getting to the bottom of it this time, instead of getting to the ground level and burying it, and hoping it never comes up again.”

Co-Vice President Brian Harris added the formation of a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), which is created by the USACE so that community members have a voice on local FUDS sites, will be helpful for any and all remediation efforts ahead.

“It’s just a think tank to have this resolved,” said Harris, adding that the RAB was a long time coming, considering that the former military base had been a FUDS property since 1991. “If it had been formed 30 years ago, I don’t think we’d be dealing with this right now… But we didn’t come to point fingers, or ask why this wasn’t formed. Things slip through the cracks sometimes, and we really don’t care why this happened. We are just focused on the future and addressing it now, so that our kids don’t have to deal with it 20 years from now.”

With the successful 2024 push to remove petroleum and debris from the Buxton shoreline, and the recently reinvigorated efforts to repair the Buxton groins, Woodard asked Jennette and Harris in front of the crowd to share tips on how other communities could tackle their own issues, and have similar success.

“Strength in numbers, organization, and a calm approach,” said Jennette.

“And just to add, social media is not the way to go about solving a problem,” said Harris, which resulted in a round of applause from the room. “When we really got involved, and really started reaching out to [county officials], that’s when things really started to get going. If you come to them with the problem, they’ll help you find the solution. But if they don’t know what’s going on, they’re not going to read it about it on Facebook.”

Other Hatteras Island highlights of the 2025 State of the County Presentation

Property Revaluation – Every eight years, the county is required to conduct a review of property values, known as a revaluation, and property values increased 67% in 2025. Woodard emphasized that the property value increase would not translate to a 67% higher tax bill for property owners. “Let me reassure that the [revaluation amount] does not result in higher property taxes. The actual tax rate will not be set until we have a budget meeting in April… Our Board is committed to identifying cost saving measures. We’re going to maintain the highest level of service at the most affordable cost.”

Dare County Parks & Rec – The Fessenden Center is in the middle of a project to replace the facility’s roof and siding. The site’s tennis courts will also be resurfaced in 2025.

New EMS Station – A project has been approved to build a new EMS Station in Waves, after the county purchased property and provided funds for the new station.

Oregon Inlet Dredging – BOC Vice Chairman Steve House reported that the county-managed dredge Miss Katie should have authorization by the end of the month to dredge up to 17 feet deep on the Oregon Inlet Bar in order to create a consistently safe navigation route for maritime traffic.

Housing Updates – The Dare Community Housing Task Force recently released the 2024 Report on available housing, attainable housing, sustainable housing, and acceptable housing, and is currently working with East Carolina University to collect public input on the next steps forward. There will be two open houses on Hatteras Island to collect local insight on March 27. The first will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rodanthe Community Center, and the second will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Fessenden Center Annex in Buxton.

Credit Rating – Commissioner Rob Ross stated that Dare County’s credit rating was extremely strong in terms of fiscal soundness and ability to withstand risk, and is one notch below the theoretical perfect score. “I guarantee I can count on one hand how many [North Carolina] counties out of 100 have a double A+ credit rating from all three rating agencies like Dare County does,” said Woodard. The county’s annual budget is currently around $140 million.

More information about the 2025 State of the County presentation, including the topics covered at Wednesday’s event, can be found on the Dare County website.