SAVANNAH, Ga. – Even as repeated winter storms continue to impact the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, remains committed to environmentally responsible practices designed to protect the surrounding coastal resources and presses ahead with the petroleum cleanup project at the former Buxton Naval Facility Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) property.
In anticipation of approaching storms that bring high winds, heavy surf, and potential flooding, the Corps of Engineers’ field team completes a series of precautionary preparations. These include reinforcing the existing protective berm, securing loose materials and supplies, and anchoring all heavy equipment to prevent movement and possible damage during storm events.
To minimize environmental risks, the team ensures any excavated soil and water that is contaminated, as well as other debris, are promptly loaded, transported, and disposed of at approved, off-site facilities before storm conditions develop. These steps help safeguard nearby wetlands, dunes, and marine habitats while maintaining cleanup progress under challenging coastal conditions.
“Our team takes a proactive approach to storm preparation,” said Gayle Garland, Savannah District’s Buxton FUDS project manager. “By reinforcing protective barriers and removing materials that could be displaced by severe weather, we’re ensuring the continued safety of the environment, the community, equipment and our personnel.”
These safety practices help keep debris and petroleum contamination contained as much as possible when storms inundate the property with ocean over wash and rainfall. Once the storm passes, and conditions are safe for the team to return, they resume beach inspections to determine if the storm unearthed any petroleum odors or sheens and they take background photoionization detector (PID) readings. They also re-establish barriers, road mats and pile up any washed-up debris for removal.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, the team returned to the FUDS property, following the most recent storm that blew through during the last weekend of January. They have since prepared the project area again and excavation work resumed Feb. 6, 2026.
The Buxton FUDS cleanup effort is part of the Corps of Engineers’ nationwide mission to reduce environmental hazards on properties formerly used by the Department of War, restoring them for safe public use while protecting natural resources.
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