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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Prompt starts to keep beach projects on schedule

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After the 2014 renourishment project at Wrightsville Beach extended into June, outside the approved environmental window of mid-November through May 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hopes to initiate future renourishment projects earlier to finish on time.

Stakeholders from coastal storm damage reduction projects (also known as beach renourishment) on Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches, and Ocean Isle Beach were invited to hear updates from the corps Nov. 6. Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Tim Owens represented Wrightsville Beach at the meeting.

For the 2014 project, contractor Weeks Marine arrived at Wrightsville Beach on April 13, more than a month behind schedule, due to increased demand for dredges up and down the coast. Beach renourishment projects are supposed to conclude before May 1 to avoid damage to nesting loggerhead sea turtles. The corps secured an environmental extension through June 13 and lined up Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project volunteers to monitor the beach strand from dusk until dawn while the project continued.

The contract to perform the 2014 project was also awarded later than usual, in December 2013. During the Nov. 6 discussion, stakeholders discussed a strategy to keep future projects within the established timeframe by securing federal funds and awarding contracts by the October preceding the project.

The corps released the final cost and sand placement details for the 2014 renourishment project on Wrightsville Beach during the meeting. The $9.7 million project placed approximately 750,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach strand south of Sand Dollar Lane.

The corps also presented an update on plans to replenish Carolina and Kure beaches in 2016.

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