The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission, during its meeting later this month in Manteo, is expected to continue discussing oceanfront erosion and how hardened structures built to curb sand loss on beaches may affect the state’s coastal shorelines.
The commission’s Thursday, Aug. 27 meeting agenda includes an update on the Science Panel’s draft, “Report on the Effects of Hard Structures on Sandy, Open-Ocean Coastlines,” which includes a number of recommendations related to hardened erosion-control structures and summarizes the tradeoffs associated with those structures and lessons learned from past projects. The meeting Thursday is set to begin at 9 a.m.
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The commission will also be provided a history of North Carolina’s laws and rules on hardened structures and receive information regarding other coastal states’ policies on these structures, according to the meeting materials.
The draft report was first presented to the CRC at its June meeting. During that meeting, and afterwards, commissioners had several questions and request for Science Panel Chair Dr. Laura Moore. Members of the commission asked that the draft report incorporate a closer look at other states’ policies, a review of Reef Balls as offshore breakwaters, and the addition of known erosion hot spots along the oceanfront. Reef Balls is the trade name for a type of artificial reef structure.
These requested updates to the draft report come after state lawmakers earlier this summer ultimately passed over a bill to repeal the state’s decades-old coastal hardened structure ban.
The Coastal Resources Advisory Council, a 20-member group that provides the CRC with local government perspectives and advice, will kick off the two-day meeting beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26 with a presentation on the Science Panel’s report. Time has been allotted for open discussion and public comment following the presentation.
The CRC is scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. that Wednesday with an agenda that includes the consideration of a variance request for an additional oceanfront setback in Oak Island, and a presentation on the draft 2026 Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, or CHPP.
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Related: Marine Fisheries Commission to meet in Raleigh Aug. 19-20
The commission is scheduled to hold a public comment period beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Members of the public may sign up to speak when they arrive at the meeting.
Staff with the Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will review the issues papers in the draft 2026 CHPP, request feedback and suggestions from commissioners, and a vote of the commission signaling preliminary support for the plan.
The commission on Thursday is also scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to rules pertaining to upland basins, septic tanks and pier replacement.
Meetings will be held at the Dare County Government Complex, 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive. The CRC meeting may also be viewed online.
