BUXTON, N.C. — Several tons of concrete and petroleum impacted soil are being taken out of an old naval base on the Outer Banks coastline. The site is being blamed for leaking petroleum in the ocean since being decommissioned in the 1980's. Erosion exposed much of the base in recent years. Contaminated soil to be removed after Buxton pollution amps up Army Corps action As 10 On Your Side has reported in previous coverage, the pollution and hazards became so severe that the National Park Service closed that stretch of the Buxton Beach Access in September of 2023. Closure at Buxton Beach Access due to petroleum smell, sheen in water More than one year later, excavation work began following pressure from the community and local leaders. In just a matter of weeks, the Army Corps of Engineers said the contractors managed to take out at least 37,000 pounds of concrete, 400 feet of pipes, several dozen feet of thick cabling and more than 45 cubic yards of what they called "petroleum-soil." Pictures provided by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore show the black water and dark sand as they dig deep. Weeks ago, when the Army Corps first announced this excavation, they said removing the entire structure is not part of the plan. They are only authorized to remove petroleum affected soil, but they will remove any structure that is in the way. Courtesy: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Throughout the month of October, the newly formed Buxton Civic Association hired a Washington, D.C. based law firm, Perkins Coie LLP. Their attorneys sent a letter to federal agencies that show snippets from old paperwork, alleging they are responsible for removing the entire site and restoring the sand. Buxton Civic Association forms to tackle pollution at old naval base Our news team asked the Army Corps about this letter. They could only tell us that they received it — but later confirmed in a press release that they will be restoring the sand at a later time. It is still unknown if and when the rest of the structure will be taken out of the beach. When 10 On Your Side spoke with Cape Hatteras Seashore Superintendent David Hallac, he told us he is happy with the progress made so far. "We also are looking forward to the work to characterize the site in regard to maybe other areas of contamination and then any potential response actions that may be associated with that in the future," Hallac said. "So things are moving in the right direction and we're looking forward to having the site totally cleaned up in the future." According to the Army Corps, crews from the Coast Guard recently inspected its own former facility, known as Old Group Cape Hatteras. There, they found lead in the soil and groundwater near a former small arms range. Plans to restore the site are in the works, though no concrete timeline is set. The Army Corps scheduled a Nov. 4, 7 p.m. meeting at the Fessenden Center in Buxton to update the public about their next steps at the old naval base.