The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comment on a Draft Compatibility Determination for a Utility Right-of-Way for Brightspeed of Eastern North Carolina, LLC (Brightspeed), in Dare County, North Carolina on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (refuge). The project includes installation of a new fiberoptic line along the Navy Shell Road on the refuge. The U.S. Navy requested Brightspeed update their telecommunications line and associated infrastructure. In order to install the upgraded fiber optic table to infrastructure on the Dare County Bombing Range (Range), the line will cross approximately 1,100 linear feet of Navy Shell Road across the refuge as it approaches the Range’s northeast boundary. The fiber cable will extend from the existing vault on the northwest corner of Navy Shell Road and Highway 264, run along the north side of Navy Shell Road under culverts before crossing the gravel portion of Navy Shell Road. Once on the south side of road, the cable will be installed approximately five feet from the edge of the gravel road and continue to the new fiber vault on the Range. Tree and shrub removal will not be necessary for the installation of the fiber cable. The disturbed area will be restored to current grade.
Federal wildlife refuges are required by law to determine the compatibility of any proposed non-wildlife dependent use with the mission of the national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge system and the purpose for which a particular refuge was established. The mission of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is to protect and conserve migratory birds and other wildlife resources through the protection of wetlands. We want the community to be informed about the work being proposed and seek public comments on the benefits and impacts from issuing a utility right-of-way for the installation of the fiberoptic line.
If you wish to review the Draft Compatibility Determination, hard copies are available at the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Visitor Center in Manteo, at the Dare County Public Library in Manteo, and at the bottom of this webpage. Written comments may be sent to: Refuge Manager, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge PO Box 1969 Manteo, NC 27954 or emailed to [email protected]. All comments must be submitted no later than close of business on June 17, 2026.
Across the country, national wildlife refuges work closely with state and Federal agencies, Native American Tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations, private partners, and the public, to engage them in refuge management activities and proposals.
