Environmental Assessment Shoreline Stabilization for Erosion Control

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is seeking public comments for the review of shoreline stabilization and erosion control project. The attached Environmental Assessment provides detailed information regarding the project's purpose and need; the cultural and natural resources being considered for this project and presents preliminary shoreline stabilization alternatives identified during the planning of this project. Comments are being accepted during the public comment period. Click on the "Comment Now" box if you would like to leave a comment.

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to stabilize approximately 1.1 mile of unprotected shoreline at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (FORA) for the protection of cultural resources, natural resources and park infrastructure.

The site was established on April 5, 1941, to preserve land declared to be of national significance as a portion of the colonial settlement or settlements established in America by Sir Walter Raleigh between 1584 and 1590 and the history of the Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans who lived on Roanoke Island (NPS 2017).

Combating erosion along FORAs shoreline has been a management issue since its establishment. The shoreline is estimated to have eroded a quarter mile or more since the late 16th century, resulting in loss of resources and land (NPS 2017). Wind, wave action, and currents have caused substantial erosion of the shoreline over time, which has resulted in archeological resources washing away, the loss of upland forested areas, and threats to the long-term stability of park facilities and infrastructure.

Shoreline erosion control measures are needed within the boundaries of FORA to address shoreline erosion accelerated by segmented stabilization structures, more frequent and intense hurricane activity, winter noreasters, rising sea levels, currents, and littoral drift. Action is necessary to address this erosion, protect significant archaeological sites, and restore the shoreline to safeguard both cultural heritage and natural ecosystems and park infrastructure within FORA.

This environmental assessment analyzes the potential impacts these alternatives would have on the natural, historic, and human environment. This environmental assessment has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 United States Code [USC] 4332[2] [C]); the Department of the Interior NEPA regulations (43 CFR Part 46); and NPS Directors Order #12 and Handbook: Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making (NPS 2015) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 as amended, including implementing regulations (36 Code of Federal Regulations {CFR} Part 800).

We invite you to comment on this environmental assessment during the 30-day public review period. The preferred method of providing comments is through the NPSs Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website for the park at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FORA_shoreline. Or you may mail comments to the address below:

Only written comments will be accepted. Please be aware that your entire comment will become part of the public record. If you wish to remain anonymous, please clearly state that within your correspondence; however, NPS cannot guarantee that personal information, such as email address and phone number, will be withheld.

Document Content:

Environmental Assessment_FORA_Shoreline Stabilization for Erosion Control_July 2025.pdf   (2.7 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.