National Park Trust Partners With Cape Hatteras National Seashore to Purchase Two Threatened Oceanfront Properties in the Outer Banks

October 26, 2023

Park Trust Plays Pivotal Role in Acquisition to Protect Rodanthe, NC Shoreline

Washington, D.C. (October 26, 2023)/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – National Park Trust today announced its successful partnership with the National Park Service to acquire two at-risk homes in Rodanthe, NC, located on the beach at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore boundary. The houses are dangerously exposed directly to wave action; significant erosion took away most of the dry sand beach in front of the homes. The properties face imminent risks, especially during storms when ocean waters are higher. Several neighboring houses have already collapsed into the park, leading to debris and sewage contamination for miles along the beach and ocean.

This year, as the hurricane season approached, National Park Service (NPS) came to National Park Trust asking for assistance in funding and expediting two property appraisals required to complete this critical acquisition. Using its expertise and abilities as a nonprofit with broad national park real estate expertise, the Park Trust cut the appraisal process time significantly, playing a pivotal role in the timely acquisition and, ultimately, the protection of the Rodanthe shoreline and park. The appraisal process was the critical first step needed before the National Park Service could acquire the properties.

On September 29, 2023, NPS closed on the purchase of the at-risk properties using resources from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, established by Congress in 1965, which uses earnings from offshore oil and gas leases — not taxpayer dollars — to protect lands, waters, and historic sites. NPS is moving forward with removing the houses to mitigate the risk to public safety and environmental impact.

“Cape Hatteras National Seashore appreciates the National Park Trust’s support of this important resource protection and climate change adaptation project that helps to reduce the impacts of threatened oceanfront structures on natural beach areas and visitor safety,” said Superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina David E. Hallac. “The Trust’s efforts are helping the Seashore evaluate new tools for management along rapidly eroding beach areas, where vulnerable development borders Seashore lands.”

National Park Trust Executive Director Grace Lee added, “We are pleased that we were able to respond quickly to the urgent request from the National Park Service so that a process that would normally take more than a year was completed in four months. We are grateful to Superintendent David Hallac and NPS Chief of Land Resources Division Pam McLay for making this project a priority that will help address the impacts from erosion on the coastline.”

Cape Hatteras National Seashore draws more than 3 million visitors annually and boasts unique historic structures and maritime history. It’s home to nesting sea turtles and sea and shorebirds. The collapse of the houses jeopardized visitor safety, public health, and threatened wildlife habitats. Through collaborative efforts, the National Park Trust and the National Park Service have helped ensure this natural treasure’s preservation, securing its legacy for future generations.

To learn more about this project, please visit: https://parktrust.org/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-nc/

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 54 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador and Military Family Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.

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