Navy studying northeastern NC landing field site

CAMDEN, N.C. — The Navy has begun an environmental assessment of a site in northeastern North Carolina that’s a possible location for a jet practice landing field.

The study in the Hales Lake area of Camden County will look at historical sites and wildlife. The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported that the studies began about three weeks ago.

The Navy is studying five sites in North Carolina and Virginia. Navy spokesman Ted Brown said the environmental study should be released this summer.

Camden County officials commissioned a study of the site in their county that suggested the peat-based soil in the area wasn’t suitable because it is flammable. The study said it would cost more than $14 million to excavate the soil and replace it.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)