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Parts of North Ocean Beach in the Maryland District of Assateague Island National Seashore had been closed since the end of July before reopening on Thursday, Aug. 4 after the discovery of old munitions on the beach.
During the 1940s the area around the beach was used as a test range for US Navy missiles and bombs, according to NPS officials. Debris from that program was buried on the island in the 1950s and occasionally shows up on the beaches.
In this latest instance, the NPS has reported at least six different pieces that washed ashore on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31.
All of the materials found on the beach have now been safely disposed of and there has been no new material found since Sunday.
The beach reopening comes at the right time for Maryland, which has seen a heatwave with temperatures approaching 100 degrees on Aug. 4.
“Assateague Island staff has been working closely with the Worchester County Fire Marshal, Ocean City Bomb Squad, and the Dover AFB ordnance disposal unit over the last few days,” NPS officials said.
“The assistance of all three of these organizations has been greatly appreciated by the National Park Service.”
Beachgoers have been advised to not pick up any unknown metal objects found on the beach or in the surf.
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