Press Releases

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).

“Since the early 1940s, the Marine Corps has used Browns Island as an impact area. As a result, there is a great deal of unexploded ordnance, which poses a significant danger.” said Nicholas Klaus, range control officer, MCB Camp Lejeune.

Browns Island 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.

All rules and regulations originate and comply with the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 33 CFR 334.440:

• Absolutely no unauthorized people on any part of the island.
• Boaters traversing the Atlantic-Intracoastal Waterway near the island may not stop, tie up or disembark their vessels.
• No crab-pots, fishing with bottom dragging nets, anchoring, or any bottom disturbing activities are allowed anywhere in the vicinity of Browns Island.
• All navigable waters in the area between the south bank of Bear Creek and the north bank of Browns Inlet are base property and are strictly off-limits due to highly sensitive unexploded ordnance in this area.
• Bear Creek and Muddy Creek leading to the Intra-coastal Waterway to Bear Inlet are open to unrestricted navigation; however, an unknown element of risk exists in this area due to the possible presence of unexploded projectiles.
• Boaters may proceed through Browns Inlet without stopping during periods of nonmilitary use. For safety reasons due to the presence of unexploded projectiles, any contact with the bottom of the waterways or any bottom disturbing activity is strictly prohibited. Caution should be used through these waters.
• Military Police in concert with 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/.

For Browns Island imagery or b-roll, please visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/search/?q=browns+island&filter%5Bunit%5D=MCIEAST&view=grid.