Posted on August 2, 2023
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) – U.S. Rep. David Rouzer announced on Tuesday that an additional $21.6 million in funding has been secured for beach renourishment at Wrightsville Beach.
“Today’s decision from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works means the USACE [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] Wilmington District will receive the funding needed to break ground and cover the full cost of the Wrightsville Beach renourishment project,” the announcement states.
The beach was heavily damaged by Hurricane Florence, and approval was gotten earlier this year to let the beach continue to use Masonboro Inlet as its borrow site.
The town used to be able to count on the beach renourishment every four years. We spoke with the Town Manger of Wrightsville Beach Tim Owens, who says the funding is coming just in time.
“You know, every four years, the town generally would do a beach nourishment project with the Corps leading the charge. And again, you know, we are in year five, and the the erosion has been significant. Due to the number of storms, we had the lunar tides, those type of things,” said Owens.
The erosion is damaging to not only to the shoreline but a danger to those who want to visit the beach. Steep slopes make it difficult for emergency services to access the beach quickly.
However, the main goal of the project is to protect the homes in the area from getting too close to the shoreline.
“The main point of this is to protect property, infrastructure, those type of things, but again, the the side benefits are the recreation. And you know, there’s also the environmental issues where the sea turtles now have to place to nest,” said Owens.
The Owens hopes the project will begin November 1, and will wrap up in April of 2024.
