The Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental impact statement regarding the effects of North Topsail Beach’s proposed, unfunded inlet and shoreline protection plan that includes as its preferred alternative construction of a terminal groin at New River Inlet.
The Corps’ Wilmington District is soliciting public comments on the draft statement through Oct. 19. Input received is to be used to evaluate the proposed alternatives for a roughly 3.2-square-mile study area at the north end of Topsail Island in Onslow County.
Supporter Spotlight
A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at the town hall, 2008 Loggerhead Court, North Topsail Beach. Attendees may submit written comments and/or verbal comments regarding the proposed alternative Nos. 1-5 of the town’s New River Inlet Master Management Plan during the hearing. Submit comments online via the federal Regulatory Request System.
You may also submit comments to Emily Hughes at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Attention: Emily Hughes, 69 Darlington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403.
The study area encompasses the town’s 1.5-mile-long north-end reach of Topsail Island and the milelong south-end reach of Onslow Beach, with both backed by shallow lagoonal estuaries and tidal salt marsh complex that extends to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The New River Inlet system drains the New River and connects the back-barrier estuaries with the Atlantic Ocean.
The Corps notes that the project falls within its jurisdiction as it would affect waters of the United States and navigable waters of the United States associated with New River Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition to the town’s preferred alternative, options include no action, or status quo; abandon and retreat with no federally authorized beach or inlet management by the town; beach nourishment only; and beach nourishment and terminal groin.
Supporter Spotlight
The preferred Alternative 5 would include beach nourishment, terminal groin, and inlet management.
More detailed descriptions of each alternative are in Section 3 of the draft statement.
Comments received will be used in the development of the final environmental impact statement expected to be released in March 2027. All comments received will become part of the administrative record and are subject to public release under the Freedom of Information Act.
