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Friday, March 29, 2024

Accelerated Carolina Beach renourishment to be reconsidered

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Carolina Beach might not receive sand for its beach this fall after all.

The Wilmington-New Hanover Port, Waterway and Beach Commission approved a resolution of support to postpone the renourishment project to 2016 as originally scheduled.

The $7.4 million project was proposed when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers secured $4.8 million to be matched with $727,000 from the N.C. Division of Water Resources for what could have been the town’s last chance to secure federal funds before its federal authorization expires in December 2014.

New Hanover County Commissioners approved a request to pull $1.86 million from the room occupancy tax fund to cover the remaining cost for the project during a May 5 meeting.

A request for reauthorization in the 2014 Water Resources Reform and Development Act was pending during the commissioners’ May meeting. A three-year authorization was approved in June. The county is pursuing options to secure an additional 15-year reauthorization in the interim.

Because the project is now federally authorized through 2017, the county manager’s office suggested Carolina Beach be renourished in 2016 as originally scheduled. County commissioners will vote on the change during an Aug. 21 meeting.

The commission’s resolution of support carried despite opposition from Kure Beach Mayor Pro Tem Craig Bloszinsky.

Because the corps cannot guarantee the funds it allocated for the 2014 renourishment will still be available in 2016, Bloszinsky said he favored taking advantage of the money now.

“It would be a value to put the sand on the beach this year. … If we don’t get an extension past the three years, we’re going to get one nourishment out of this,” Bloszinsky said.

New Hanover County Shore Protection Coordinator Layton Bedsole said the Division of Water Resources funds allocated for the 2014 renourishment will be available in 2016.

Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are both on three-year cycles and renourishment projects traditionally occur simultaneously. Kure Beach also requested ROT funds for a 2014 accelerated cycle during the May 5 commissioners meeting but the board declined action on the request.

Carolina Beach Mayor Dan Wilcox said he realized the corps’ funds are not guaranteed for 2016 but said he understands the county’s reasoning.

In other business, North Carolina State Ports Authority CEO Paul Cozza, who assumed his position April 2014, discussed plans to develop Wilmington’s sea port.

Cozza said one of the biggest obstacles to the port’s development is the depth of the harbor, recently expanded from 38 to 42 feet. He suggested 48 feet as an ideal depth but said a final depth would be determined in a feasibility study.

Cozza also declared his intention to create stronger ties with national, state and local partners, including the commission. Chair Dennis Barbour suggested scheduling a tour of the port for commission members.

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