Time and again through the years storms have pushed the Atlantic Ocean up and over North Carolina 12 that runs the length of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, events that leave residents and visitors alike cut off from the mainland. Now, in an attempt to better protect the highway, North Carolina officials want to build up the beach along a section of the highway just north of Buxton.

Since such a project would require a special use permit from the National Park Service, since the highway falls within the national seashore, seashore staff will prepare a draft environmental impact statement to look at various strategies that might be used to protect this stretch of highway, and to determine the extent of impact.

The NPS is considering this proposal to address erosion issues and prevent future emergency closure of these areas of Highway 12 due to storm impacts to the road in this narrow area of Hatteras Island. ... Alternatives to be developed and considered in the EIS will likely focus on strategies for the protection of Highway 12, particularly in and around the areas of Buxton village that are regularly impacted or threatened by storms. The EIS will look to identify practical solutions, such as the consideration of beach nourishment, to address these threats and ongoing impacts.

The highway, notes the Park Service, "provides the vital connection for residents of the Outer Banks, as well as visitors to NPS facilities. It also connects the Outer Banks to the mainland, and serves as a link to Ocracoke Island via the ferry terminal at southern Hatteras Island."

Due to the very nature of barrier islands -- they move around as ocean currents and storms shift sand around -- regular maintenance occurs frequently on Highway 12, the Park Service said.

"Narrow sections of Hatteras Island are regularly overwashed during storm events by both the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound. High water, sand deposition, and damage to road infrastructure due to these overwash events lead to emergency closure of NC12," the agency said in a release announcing the upcoming EIS. "Dare County and NCDOT have implemented several measures of protection of the highway along NC12 over the last 80 years, including dune building and vegetation, repair and realignment of the highway, beach nourishment, installation of groins, and repairs to dunes and highway infrastructure."

In recent years, Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 have breached the highway just north of Buxton. In November 2013, "Dare County completed a Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Plan for Beach Restoration for this area ... This report found that approximately 10-13 cy/ft of shoreline per year were being lost to erosion in the Buxton area..."

To combat the problem, one option the county is considering is to build up about 3 miles of beach in the national seashore. Public comment on the proposed project and what the seashore staff should address in the EIS is being taken through February 27 at this site.

Additionally, Dare County and the Park Service will hold two public open houses this month to further discuss the proposed activities, the planning process and environmental analysis, and acquire your thoughts and ideas about the proposed activities.

* Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Dare County Government Offices

954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, First Floor, Room #168

Manteo, North Carolina

* Wednesday, January 28, 2015, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

The Fessenden Center/Activity Room

46830 North Carolina Highway 12

Buxton, North Carolina