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 at least two endangered species.
Uses: military and recreation
Since 1941 when Camp Lejeune opened after 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.
Wildlife
At least two endangered endangered species, one animal and one plant, reside at Onslow Beach. The first known instance of successful nesting north of Florida by a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) 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]
A U.S. federally protected annual plant called seabeach amaranth grows on the beach's dunes and overwash flats. Wild turkeys are abundant, and hunted in the area. 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 Seanate. Avaialable at http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2001/010320eh.pdf.