Onslow Beach
Onslow Beach is an 11-mile (17.7 kilometer) stretch of undeveloped beach along the Atlantic coast, located in Onslow County, in southeastern North Carolina. It is primarily used as amphibious training grounds for the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, of which it is part. The beach additionally supports the recreational needs of the Camp Lejeune community, as well to the surrounding community to the extent possible. The beach is also home to two endangered species, each sustained by a fragile ecosystem.
Uses: military and recreation
Since 1941 when Camp Lejeune opened by an act of Congress, the beach has been used by the Marine, Navy, and Army for various training exercises, particularly amphibious exercises and landings. During times when no exercises are being conducted, the beach is popular for fishing, sunbathing, and shell collecting, especially during warmer months.
Endangered wildlife
Two endangered species, one animal and one plant, reside at Onslow Beach. The first known instance of successful nesting of a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) north of Florida occurred in 1980 at the beach. The specimen deposited 819 eggs in five nests. Tagged, she returned to the same stretch of the beach five years later to deposit 893 eggs, again in five nests. Today, sea turtles habitually nest at the beach.[1] During their nesting season, from May through October, sea turtle eggs are daily collected from a one-mile stretch of the beach and placed in an incubator. The turtles are released after hatching.[2] Many other nests are cordoned off.
A U.S. federally protected annual plant called seabeach amaranth grows on the beach's dunes and overwash flats.
Camp Lejeune conducts one of the preeminent fish and wildlife management programs within Department of Defense, and all wildlife at the beach is carefully managed to allow continued military use of the beach.
Restoration
As with most beaches that support important human and wildlife activity, restoration efforts to counter natural erosion are an ongoing effort. In September 2005, Hurricane Ophelia took an especial toll, not only causing significant erosion but nearly destroying the beach's historic Riseley Pier.
References
- ↑ Peterson, et al. "Tagged Green Turtle Returns and Nests Again in North Carolina". Marine Turtle Newsletter, 35:5-6, 1985.
- ↑ "Statement of Major Edward Hanlon, Jr., United States Marine Corps, Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Before the Senate Armed Service Committee Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support on 20 March 2001". United States Senate. Available at http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2001/010320eh.pdf.