Posted on May 23, 2026
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services has lifted a precautionary public health advisory for the beach area associated with the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS), while Cape Hatteras National Seashore has reopened more than a mile of beach between the south end of Buxton and off-road vehicle Ramp 43 following environmental testing, cleanup efforts, and consultations with federal and local health officials.
The original public health advisory was first issued in late 2023 after petroleum odors and sheens were observed in the area, along with reports of associated illness.
According to Dare County DHHS, recent environmental testing and ongoing remediation efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supported the decision to lift the advisory. The determination followed a meeting between Dare County DHHS Director Sheila Davies, National Park Service staff, and representatives from the United States Public Health Service.
National Park Service staff collected 35 sand samples from 17 locations within the Buxton FUDS site last Friday. Photoionization detector (PID) readings were also taken at all 17 locations, including both surface samples and samples collected at groundwater depth, approximately 36 to 48 inches below the surface. Additional readings were collected at 16 locations extending south from the FUDS property to the lifeguard beach walkover.
All PID readings registered 0.0 parts per million.
Laboratory analysis conducted through a mobile lab found all sand samples to be well below the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s action limit of 100 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million, for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons – Diesel Range Organics (TPH-DRO). The highest detected level among all samples was 0.39 ppm TPH-DRO.
Looking south from Old Lighthouse Beach
The testing followed approximately 18 months of petroleum cleanup efforts conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the former defense site.
“Based on the environmental testing data and consultation with our federal partners, we are confident that conditions now support lifting the precautionary advisory for this area,” Davies said in a statement. “We appreciate the collaborative work of all agencies involved and their continued commitment to protecting public health and the environment.”
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials said the reopened area stretches from the southern end of Buxton to Ramp 43.
The Seashore added that the lifeguarded beach parking area is expected to reopen in the coming days after a contractor removes a large amount of debris from collapsed oceanfront homes that park staff and volunteers have collected over the past nine months.
Until that parking area reopens, visitors are encouraged to park at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking area and walk north to the beach using the multi-use pathway.
The beach directly in front of Buxton Village remains closed due to threatened oceanfront structures. National Park Service officials said they expect that area to reopen following Dare County’s upcoming beach nourishment project.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore said it will continue monitoring the area and coordinating with partner agencies as needed.
For additional information about the Buxton beach area, visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Additional information regarding Dare County public health advisories can be found at Dare County Public Health Advisories.
