Cape Hatteras National Seashore buys two threatened oceanfront properties in Rodanthe

October 11, 2023 | Local News | 1

roperties surrounded by ocean water at 23292 and 23298 East Beacon Road, Rodanthe. (NPS Photo)

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) recently purchased two threatened oceanfront properties and associated structures in Rodanthe. Thanks to the National Park Trust for their assistance and funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, properties at 23292 and 23298 East Beacon Road were purchased for fair market value using zero taxpayer dollars.

In the coming months, the Seashore will seek a contractor to remove threatened structures from the two properties and restore the beach. Once the beach is restored, the adjoining lots will be opened for the public to enjoy. If the structures collapse prior to demolition, the Seashore will assemble a team to promptly clean the beach and restore the area.

The purchase of the two properties on East Beacon Road was pursued for the following reasons:

To mitigate the ongoing impacts of having threatened oceanfront structures impact visitor safety, public health, and wildlife habitat at the Seashore.
To assist threatened oceanfront structure owners that do not have viable options to move the structures or promptly remove debris following potential collapse.
To restore the beach and make the sites a public beach access where visitors from the surrounding community can walk onto the Seashore beach areas without walking through private properties.
To remove the structures or have the ability to respond to their collapse and clean up debris is a much quicker manner; thereby, minimizing impacts to park areas and visitors.
To evaluate the feasibility of a larger program.

The Land and Conservation Fund is used to acquire lands, waters, and interested therein necessary to achieve the natural, cultural, wildlife, and recreation management objectives of the National Park Service. Using zero taxpayer dollars, the Land and Water Conservation Fund invests earnings from offshore oil and gas leasing to help strengthen communities, preserve our history, and protect our national endowment of lands and waters.