THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080561
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: By MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: HERTFORD LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Danger from unexploded bombs that still may be underwater in Albemarle Sound around the Department of Defense testing base at Harvey Point has prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to impose new boating restrictions.
Recreational and commercial boats can still travel the waters at the south end of Perquimans County, the Army Engineers said, but dredging, clamming, crabbing, seining or anchoring in the danger zone is prohibited.
``Any other activity which could result in disturbing or penetrating the bottom'' is forbidden, a spokesman said Thursday.
Recent studies indicated that dangerous unexploded ordnance may remain buried in the mud and sandy bottom around Harvey Point, the spokesman added.
A Navy bombing range in Harvey Point waters was established in World War II. When the Navy stopped using the testing site, the danger designation was dropped.
Many existing nautical charts and aeronautical maps still show the restricted area extending all the way across Albemarle Sound.
The new danger zone announced by the Army Engineers was established at the request of the commander of naval air forces with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
``In the interest of public safety, the Navy has requested that (the restricted area) be re-established until such time as a thorough survey can be completed and any dangerous ordnance removed,'' the Army Engineers said.
Coordinates of the new danger area were listed as: ``Beginning at the north shore of Albemarle Sound and the easternmost tip of Harvey Point; thence southeasterly to Day Beacon No. 3; then southeasterly to latitude 36 degree 03'06''; longitude 76 degree 16'43''; thence southwesterly to latitude 36 degree 02'18''; longitude 76 degree 19'30''; thence southwesterly to latitude 36 degree 04'18''; longitude 76 degree 20'20'' thence 23 degree 15' true to the shore and thence northeasterly along the shore to the point of beginning.''
For many years, hush-hush activities by various federal agencies at Harvey Point have kept strict security rules in effect on the land approaches to the base.
Residents in the Harvey Point area learned to live with thunderous explosions, nighttime flares and other unexplained activities. Large helicopters, invariably described as ``black,'' are often seen approaching the base. Security is tight at the guardhouse on the road leading to the base.
``This is still a Defense Department testing facility,'' said Michael Foss, an official spokesman at Harvey Point.
Through the years Perquimans County residents have loyally helped to sustain the mystique of Harvey Point. The base, which employs many civilians, is simply not discussed with strangers.
This year, however, the officer in charge of Harvey Point has begun making appearances at Rotary Club and other community functions in the Albemarle. by CNB