MCB CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune officials would like to re-emphasize to the community the dangers of Browns Island, which remains off limits. Users of the Atlantic-Intracoastal Waterway are reminded the creeks and tributaries leading to and around Browns Island are also off limits due to frequent live-fire training exercises conducted in the area and the presence of dangerous unexploded ordnance (UXO).
"Over the years, there have been thousands of live rounds of ammunition aimed at this area,” said Nicholas Klaus, range control officer, MCB Camp Lejeune. “It may look like just a piece of rusty metal, but it could be an unexploded bomb. If you shift it the wrong way or it just decides now is the time to go off, it could destroy your boat or even cause serious injuries or death.”
Dating as far back as the 1940s, Browns Island served as a target area and still contains UXO dangerous to anchoring boaters or individuals traveling on the island, both of which are not authorized. While warning signs around the island and waterways identify the area as off-limits for anchoring and landing, individuals continue to endanger their lives by ignoring posted warnings.
“Being on this area is far too hazardous for civilians to be on. It’s even dangerous for us to be out here and we have several years of experience in the explosive ordnance disposal community,” said Capt. William Mueller, explosive ordnance disposal technician, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune.
All rules and regulations originate and comply with the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 33 CFR 334.440. Military Police and the U.S. Coast Guard will continue to regularly patrol the area and issue citations to trespassers that will require an appearance before the federal magistrate in Wilmington. Violators can be imprisoned up to six months and fined a maximum of $5,000.
For additional information on off-limits areas and restrictions surrounding Browns Island, please visit https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/Visitors/Browns-Island-Policy/ <https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/Visitors/Browns-Island-Policy/>
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