MANTEO, N.C. — Half a mile of the Outer Banks shoreline is closed due to petroleum odors and light sheens coming from the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Sight (FUDS), Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced.
The closure impacts access to Buxton Beach. The area closed stretches from off-road-vehicle ramp 43 to the southern border of Buxton.
A portion of the closed area was shut down for nearly two years between Sept. 2023 to June 2025.
Erosion of the beach revealed contaminants in the sand, CHNS said.
Engineers are working to remove contaminated soil and water.