CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has proposed building hardened structures to protect the eroding shoreline at the ferry terminal on the north end of Ocracoke Island, and the National Park Service has asked for public input on the proposal.
NCDOT said it wants to begin construction in spring 2020 on measures to address severe erosion that has damaged the ferry basin bulkhead and stacking lanes at the ferry dock.
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The park service said Thursday it will accept public comments online about the proposed project from Thursday through July 22, or comments may be mailed to Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.
The state proposes building a 1,000-foot-long sheet pile wall, which was recently permitted as an emergency action, and to build groins interspersed with submerged concrete structures to further protect the eroding shoreline around the ferry stacking lanes, the park service said. Barge-mounted pile-driving equipment and land-based equipment would be used during construction.
An environmental assessment is to be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and and is expected to be available for review and comment in the fall.
The assessment is to document the effects the proposed structures will have on resources such as coastal shoreline processes, human health and safety, wildlife habitat, submerged aquatic vegetation, water resources and the visitor experience. The park service said it will use the document to determine what it will allow NCDOT to do to protect the shoreline.
