National Park Service warns petroleum residue resurfaced at Buxton FUD site; Army Corps preparing sampling

A National Park Service superintendent updated the Dare County Board of Commissioners on an increase in petroleum odors and exposed contamination at the Buxton formerly used defense site (FUDS) on Aug. 4, saying recent coastal erosion has re‑exposed petroleum‑impacted material and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — the Corps’ branch charged with FUDS cleanup — is preparing to resume comprehensive sampling and follow‑up remediation.

Why it matters: Buxton FUDS lies on Cape Hatteras National Seashore near the original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Past cleanup removed large volumes of petroleum‑contaminated soil and groundwater but did not eliminate all contamination; renewed exposure raises short‑term public‑health and near‑shore water quality concerns and prompted renewed engagement by federal, state and local stakeholders.

Superintendent Dave Halleck of Cape Hatteras National Seashore told commissioners the site was used by the Navy beginning in 1956 and later by the U.S. Coast Guard; infrastructure left behind included above‑ground and below‑ground fuel storage and lines that the Army Corps found to have left substantial petroleum contamination. Halleck said earlier Corps efforts removed more than 4,600 cubic yards of contaminated soil, nearly 100,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater and more than 275,000 pounds of concrete, but that comprehensive sampling required to design a final remedy was not completed. He told the board a recent erosion event and change in wave conditions over the summer caused remaining contamination to wash out and reappear on the beach.

Halleck said the Corps has reacted quickly in the past several days and indicated it is preparing to perform the promised comprehensive sampling “over the coming weeks.” He described the site as unusual because it fronts a high‑energy coastline, which complicates excavation and remediation work. Brian Harris, a co‑chair of the site’s Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), told the board that community members on the RAB are meeting independently to coordinate review and that the next public RAB meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25.

County manager and local staff said they will continue to track the Corps’ sampling schedule and coordinate with the Park Service and RAB; commissioners asked that the county be kept informed about temporary public‑access restrictions, monitoring data and any immediate human‑health advisories. Halleck said the Park Service and community RAB will continue to press for more rapid sampling and clearer public updates while the Corps completes technical work.

The county did not take a formal vote on remediation strategy during the Aug. 4 meeting. Commissioners directed staff to continue coordination with the Park Service and the Army Corps and to report sampling results and any recommended county actions back to the board.

Ending: The county’s RAB and the Park Service will continue meetings, with a RAB community session planned for Aug. 25, and the Army Corps has indicated it will resume comprehensive site sampling in the coming weeks. Commissioners asked staff to provide the board with copies of new sampling plans and public‑facing advisories once available.