The Buxton Civic Association (BCA) will hold its monthly public meeting on Thursday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will take place at the old Buxton Volunteer Fire Department Building next to Burrus Field.

Focus on Environmental and Safety Issues

This meeting provides a chance for the community to learn about updates on environmental and public safety issues at Buxton Beach. The BCA will discuss ongoing efforts to remediate the shoreline.

“We haven’t shared much lately but often one doesn’t make noise when their nose is on the grindstone,” the BCA stated online. “Please know that we are all still diligently working on various ways we hope to help restore and improve Buxton, including the beach issues.”

Buxton Beach Closure and Clean-Up Efforts

Since September 2023, officials have closed a three-tenths-of-a-mile section of Buxton Beach. Two offshore hurricanes exposed abandoned infrastructure from the site’s former military base, causing occasional petroleum smells.

Stakeholders agree that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard are responsible for the cleanup. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ FUDS program is addressing petroleum smells and contaminated soils. However, there’s debate over which agency will handle the Navy infrastructure and other debris on the beach.

Community Response and Recent Developments

Buxton Beach gained new attention in February 2024 after surfers reported petroleum sheens on the water. In April, the BCA formed to coordinate a community response to these issues.

In May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed pipe removal work at the Buxton site, which included soil sampling. The data review of these samples is underway and should be available within 60-90 days of the testing.

Meeting Agenda and Community Involvement

At the July 11 meeting, the BCA will provide updates on several initiatives to remediate the Buxton shoreline. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

“We are just the community’s voice for Buxton,” said Brian Harris, BCA Board Member. “Everybody cares about this… [and] we’re going to explore every single option and figure something out, because ultimately, this has to be done.”

Additional Information and Resources

Get involved by visiting the BCA’s website at buxtoncivic.com or their official Facebook page. The BCA meets on the first Thursday of every month at the old Buxton Volunteer Fire Department building next to Burrus Field.

Reporting Environmental Issues

Visitors who encounter fuel smells or sheens near Old Lighthouse Road should call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Provide the date, time, location, and basic details of what you saw or smelled. Only report issues you have experienced firsthand.

Enjoying Buxton Beach Safely

Despite the environmental issues, the closure affects only three-tenths of a mile of the 75-mile National Seashore. Therefore, the public can still visit and enjoy Buxton and Hatteras Island. However, addressing this issue now is crucial to prevent it from becoming a larger problem in the future.