Homes along the picturesque coast of Buxton are under increasing threat as rapid erosion exposes not only properties but also remnants of Cold War-era infrastructure and petroleum-contaminated deposits.

The issue has prompted urgent action from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The Army Corps was on site to assess and address the growing environmental concerns.

In March, a stretch of Cape Hatteras beach was closed due to petroleum contamination, suspected to stem from debris related to the former Buxton Naval Facility. Recent storms have worsened the erosion, resulting in the closure of about half a mile of beach due to a diesel-like odor and visible sheen on the water.

“What you're seeing in Buxton is the exposure of old military infrastructure—foundations, utility lines, drain pipes, and sewer pipes—that were previously buried,” said Dave Hallac, superintendent of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. “Now, as the sand erodes, they’re exposed on the beach, along with petroleum contamination that was underground.”

Local residents like Allen Dufala have witnessed firsthand how the erosion has uncovered hazards beneath the water’s surface. “There’s debris sticking up in the water. I don’t know if that’s leftover from the Navy base or what, but those are things that shouldn’t be here,” Dufala said. “It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when somebody gets hurt.”

Dufala, like many others, is skeptical about the effectiveness of current measures, including sandbags. “The ocean just continues to uncover the sand. Maybe we have to remediate these areas and compensate these homeowners,” he added.

The USACE deployed a specialized team to Buxton following reports of fuel sheen and noxious odors in early September.

“We are committed to the safety of the community. Together with our federal, state, and local partners, we're going to find the contamination, and we're going to remove it,” said Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, USACE commanding general. The team will monitor the site and conduct soil sampling, with plans to remove contaminated soil if necessary.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore has issued alerts regarding the hazards posed by petroleum contamination and remnant military infrastructure. The current beach closure extends approximately half a mile and includes adjacent parking areas. The National Park Service reports that the area has been affected by decades of military use, with testing revealing petroleum-contaminated soils in early September 2023.

The Army Corps of Engineers previously removed more than 4,000 tons of petroleum from the site between the 1980s and 2005. Now, it faces the challenge of addressing newly exposed contamination.

“We are aware of the community’s concerns and are taking action to ensure a safe environment,” said Sara Keisler, project manager at USACE. “We are not observing petroleum going into the ocean.”

With recent storms, residents remain worried about how continued erosion may exacerbate the contamination issue. “It’s a mess, and it’s going to take a very long time to clean it up,” Joy Crist, an editor with Island Free Press, remarked.

Dufala expressed frustration at the slow pace of the cleanup, noting that while beaches are often closed for wildlife conservation, environmental liabilities are not being addressed with the same urgency. “We close the beaches for the plover and the turtle, but now we have an environmental liability that affects those animals, and nobody says, ‘We’re going to get to it.’”

As Buxton navigates this complex challenge, both the environment and the homes of residents hang in the balance. The USACE has committed to keeping the public updated on developments related to the contamination and erosion crisis. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and connected with local officials as cleanup efforts continue.

Dufala summed up the sentiment of many residents: “We just want to enjoy our vacation without worrying about stepping on rusty debris or smelling petroleum in the air. It’s time to clean this up.”