People with erosion-threatened homes and property in North Topsail Beach made it clear in a public hearing Tuesday that they want a 2,021-foot-long terminal groin built at New River Inlet, pivot the channel in the inlet and a carry out a long-term plan for berm and beach fill to remedy the town’s receding shoreline.
Corps of Engineers
EPA, Army propose alternative draft definitions for ‘WOTUS’
The comment period ends Oct. 9 on proposed alternative definitions that environmental groups say will strip protections from seasonal wetlands and waterways.
Public review opens for N. Topsail Beach terminal groin plan
A hearing is set for Sept. 22 and the Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington District is soliciting public comments on the draft environmental impact statement for North Topsail Beach’s proposed terminal groin through Oct. 19.
Surf City celebrates federal beach project with event, music
A ceremony Monday on the beach by the Surf City Ocean Pier marked the start of a federal coastal storm risk management project that the town has sought for more than two decades, and it has inspired a … “song.”
Buxton FUDS restoration advisory board to meet Thursday
Army Corps of Engineers staff are expected to give an update on current environmental restoration projects at the oceanfront site, and discuss interest in continuing the restoration advisory board.
Corps presses toward fall decision on $1.3 billion harbor plan
The federal final environmental impact statement for the proposed channel deepening and widening at the N.C. Port of Wilmington is nearing the final approval stage, but Cape Fear area residents and advocates say their objections and questions about potential effects remain unanswered.
Contract awarded to dredge Morehead City Inner Harbor
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District last week awarded a $4.3 million contract to a California-based company to dredge navigation channels within the Morehead City Inner Harbor.
Wetland mitigation bank proposed for Cape Fear River Basin
The proposed Northeast Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – Quinn Farm Site in Duplin County would be used to offset unavoidable environmental damage to natural wetlands associated with federally authorized projects.
Corps awards Snows Cut shoreline stabilization contract
Work is expected to begin in the coming months to address severe shoreline erosion along Snow’s Cut in New Hanover County.
Advocates challenge proposed Castle Hayne quarry expansion
Environmental groups argue that Martin Marietta’s preferred plan to enlarge its Castle Hayne quarry would permanently destroy 140-plus acres of pristine wetlands and around 10 acres of open water classified as primary nursery and strategic habitat areas, and essential fish habitat.
Federal funds advance Surf City’s beach nourishment project
Surf City’s federal beach nourishment project, more than 20 years in the making, is receiving federal funds that will allow the project to move forward to the construction phase.
Corps to host meetings on maintenance of federal harbors
The Corps of Engineers is hosting next month a series of public meetings to discuss long-range planning to operate and maintain the Morehead City and Wilmington harbors.
Final federal permit clears way for Buxton groin repair project
By receiving the Army Corps permit this week, Dare County has cleared the final regulatory hurdle for the project to repair the southernmost of Buxton’s three groins.
Corps crews set to wrap up cleanup at Buxton FUDS site
Army Corps of Engineers officials say that by the end of May, seven months of work to remove tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, water and debris from the beach next to the original site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is expected to be complete.
Corps says initiative will streamline infrastructure permitting
An Army Corps of Engineers initiative announced earlier this year is geared to speed up and improve the permitting process for civil works projects, eliminating “bureaucratic delays” with new technology and tools, but when it comes to dredging and beach nourishment, nothing is as simple as that may sound.
Corps of Engineers seeks input on nationwide permits
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public input through May 15 on ways the agency can make current nationwide permits more efficient.
