A $30 million buyout of North Topsail Beach’s most vulnerable properties would save over 30 years nearly twice what the town will spend trying to hold back the ocean, says a new university analysis that Mayor Dan Tuman calls “uninformed.”
Beach & Inlet Management
Bogue Banks Sand Project Nears Final Leg
The $20 million, post-Florence renourishment of beaches on Bogue Banks should be completed by April 30, just ahead of the busy tourist season, but damaged public beach accesses may not be repaired as quickly.
Dare Waterways Commission Shifts Focus
With attention long spent on navigation in Hatteras Inlet, Dare County Waterways Commission discussions recently turned to Oregon Inlet, where shoaling at the old bridge is too severe for dredge access, and other problem areas.
Topsail Towns Prioritize Storm Projects
North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach are selecting storm mitigation projects to be funded with multi-million-dollar state grant from the state Division of Water Resources.
CRC Advances New Inlet Hazard Maps, Rules
The state Coastal Resources Commission last week gave preliminary approval to newly redrawn inlet hazard areas and guidelines for development within those areas.
Push On to Change Sand Rule Interpretation
Topsail Island officials, with support from the state’s congressional delegation, are calling for changes that would once again allow use of a longtime source of sand for beach renourishment projects.
Group Seeks Corps’ OK On Dredge Spoil Plan
The N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association has presented a plan to the Corps of Engineers to again allow towns and businesses to place dredge spoil in federally maintained disposal sites.
Questions Arise Over Dredge Firm Selection
An alternate member of the Oregon Inlet Task Force has questioned the proposed selection of a new company with no significant dredge experience as contractor to maintain Oregon Inlet.
Sunset Beach Must Redo Dredge Application
The state Division of Coastal Management has informed Sunset Beach that its application to dredge part of Jinks Creek must be resubmitted because of missing information, delaying the project until late 2019 or early 2020.
Florence’s Toll: Room Tax Revenues In Focus
The loss of hotel and motel rooms, rental cottages and condos from Hurricane Florence damage has yet to become clear as North Carolina beach town officials begin their annual budget process.
CRC: Changes to Dune Rules Add Flexibility
Changes to sand dune rules that would give property owners more leeway in moving sand shifted by winds or storms and allow for improved beach accesses are now set for final state approval.
Costly Fix for Florence’s Beach, Inlet Damage
Restoring beaches and inlets damaged by Hurricane Florence will mean moving mountains of sand and securing hundreds of millions of dollars.
New Rules Ahead For Building Near Inlets
The state Coastal Resources Commission is mulling proposed changes to development rules and boundaries for 10 of the state’s 19 active ocean inlets.
Corps Puts Limits On Dredged Sand Disposal
A Corps of Engineers policy adopted more than a year ago could mean big costs and other challenges for coastal towns and businesses that need to dispose of dredged sand from non-federal projects.
Corps’ Rule Could Dash Town’s Sand Plan
Holden Beach officials were recently surprised by an Army Corps of Engineers requirement not previously enforced that could mean the town’s sand source for beach re-nourishment goes instead to Oak Island.
Topsail Towns Discuss Florence’s Lessons
Officials from Topsail Island’s three towns gathered last week to hear the advice of a coastal engineering expert, talk shoreline protection and confer on their long road to recovery from Hurricane Florence.
