Posted on December 1, 2025
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert L. “Bob” Woodard Sr. has issued an urgent call for statewide support to address rapidly worsening coastal erosion and infrastructure vulnerabilities along portions of Hatteras Island. In a letter dated Nov. 14, 2025 and mailed to every member of the North Carolina General Assembly, Woodard highlighted the unprecedented challenges now facing the villages of Buxton and Rodanthe, where severe erosion has caused repeated structural failures and growing threats to public safety, the environment, and the region’s economic stability.
Below is the letter addressed to each member of the General Assembly:
I am Robert L. “Bob” Woodard, Sr., Chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners. I write to you today with a heavy heart and a profound sense of urgency. For generations, Dare County has been defined by its pristine beaches and breathtaking coastal landscapes-natural treasures that draw millions of visitors each year and serve as the very foundation of our community’s economy and way of life.
In recent months, however, we have witnessed alarming and unprecedented changes along portions of our shoreline-particularly in small areas of the villages of Buxton and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island-where severe erosion and repeated structural failures have- created significant public safety and environmental concerns. In addition, portions of N.C. Highway 12-the sole transportation lifeline for Hatteras Island-are growing increasingly vulnerable and often forced to close during even minor coastal storms, disrupting daily life and critical access for residents, visitors, and emergency services.
Each year, more than 3 million people visit our beaches and national parks, generating millions of dollars in state tax revenue. In fact, Dare County is one of a few donor counties in North Carolina in that the county contributes more to the state than the state provides back to the county.
Dare County has always taken care of its own. Dare County and five of its oceanfront communities have invested more than $275 million in local beach nourishment projects and millions more to keep our inlets open-ensuring our fishermen can access their “highway to work.” We’ve done this with virtually no federal support and very limited assistance from the state.
However, today, small areas of our oceanfront in the villages of Buxton and Rodanthe have deteriorated to the point where we can no longer sustain these efforts alone.
There are several specific ways the state can make a meaningful difference:
• Beach Nourishment Fund:
Several years ago, the General Assembly established a Beach Nourishment Fund but never allocated resources to it. I respectfully request that the legislature appropriate funding to this account on an annual basis to assist coastal counties-not to replace local investment, but to help sustain it-in protecting our shoreline and our state’s tourism economy.
- Proactive Solutions for N.C. Highway 12:
NCDOT crews continue to do an outstanding job responding to sand and water overwash-often working tirelessly to reopen the road as quickly as possible. However, proactive, long-term solutions are urgently needed before portions of the road become permanently impassable. The N.C. 12 Task Force comprised of representatives from Dare County, Hyde County, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Southern Environmental Law Center, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation-worked collaboratively over several years to develop a comprehensive plan to maintain N.C. 12 in both the short term and the long term, that would ensure sustainable access to both Dare and Hyde counties. You can view the full report at: DareNC.gov/NC12.
• Hardened Structures:
Current state policy prohibits the use of hardened structures such as groins along the coast. Nourishment alone is no longer sufficient. We need the ability to use every proven tool available to stabilize our shoreline and safeguard our communities. I respectfully ask that the General Assembly reconsider and lift the ban on these protective measures.
This request is made with great respect and deep conviction. Dare County’s leaders and citizens have always worked hard to address challenges on our own-but the situation has now reached a critical point. With your support, we can preserve our coastline, protect public infrastructure, and sustain the economic engine that benefits all of North Carolina.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be honored to discuss this matter further at your convenience and can be reached by email at Woodard@DareNC.gov or by phone at 252-216-8240.
Respectfully,
/s/
Robert L. Woodard, Sr.
Chairman
Dare County Board of Commissioners
