The National Park Service has approved plans to make improvements and upgrades at Oregon Inlet Marina, a commercial charter fishing marina south of Nags Head that’s part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
On Friday, Park Service South Atlantic-Gulf Acting Regional Director Pedro Ramos signed a Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI, for the Oregon Inlet Marina Improvements: Site Plan and Environmental Assessment, officials announced Monday.
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The environmental assessment addressed the management of aging buildings that are not adapted to sea level rise, vessel traffic, navigation, fueling challenges in the marina, parking, viewshed and pedestrian and traffic flow, according to the park service.
After evaluating two alternatives, the park service chose the preferred alternative that allows for the replacement of 1960s-era buildings and improvements to fueling facilities, parking and circulation, and for dredging at the popular charter fishing marina. The facilities will be built to better withstand climate change, sea level rise and associated storm-related vulnerabilities.
The marina is north of Oregon Inlet and operated by Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, LLC through a 20-year lease. The lessee is to fund and implement most of the construction subject to NPS approval.
“The Seashore looks forward to continued collaboration with the marina lessee to develop final plans and specifications and implement the project in the coming months,” said David Hallac, superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina, in a statement.
The park service has permitted or contracted fishing center and marina operations since 1953 and the marina has been in operation in its current location since December 1956.
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