North Topsail Beach leaves federal nourishment project; Surf City continues with plan

Surf City leaders are ready to move forward with a beach nourishment project through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but their North Topsail Beach neighbors are backing away because of financial concerns.

The Onslow County community will not sign a Project Partnership Agreement for the Surf City/North Topsail Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management plan, citing a massive cost increase from an earlier estimate.

On behalf of the North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen, Mayor Joan McDermon sent a memorandum to the Corps of Engineers from the Wilmington District. Along with not being able to meet a commitment deadline in early June, other reasons ranged from rising costs and additional tax issues the project will bring residents.

“For the reasons noted above, the Town of North Topsail Beach is not able to meet the deadline for project commitment of the PPA by July 6, 2021,” McDermon said. “We fully understand you will need to de-scope North Topsail Beach from the project and move forward with the Surf City portion.”

In McDermon’s letter, it was noted that planning has been underway since 2010 when the construction estimate was $123.1 million, with a 50-year renourishment plan of $227.8 million. Recently, the estimated cost increased to $237 million and an additional $672.1 million for a 50-year renourishment plan.

“Most importantly, until 2019 no federal funding was approved for the project, which meant it was in limbo as to whether and when the project would occur,” McDermon stated.

With uncertainty about the project and facing beach erosion problems, North Topsail Beach started its own project spending more than $15 million from town funds. Officials said it resulted in a beach engineered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which gave the town increased coverage.

Surf City goes solo

Kyle Breuer, town manager for Surf City, said it has been working with the Corps of Engineers to provide information and gather required easements necessary to execute the project.

“We understand that they (North Topsail Beach) had to make difficult decisions on the behalf of their town,” Breuer said. “We look forward to moving forward with the project. I think it’s been anticipated by the town for quite some time. I’m really looking forward to getting more information on the steps moving and hopefully execute the project. “

Breuer is planning to communicate with town officials and residents about what’s coming after getting more instructions from the Corps.

“We have some questions that we hope to get answered very soon,” he said. “They’ve been good to work with the entire time and we know that they’ll try to do everything they can expeditiously to keep the project moving forward.”

For Surf City, the project will create a new beach dune structure in front of the existing beach berm. The goal is to provide an enhanced storm protection. With plans changing, the cost for Surf City is unknown.

According to Surf City, the entire project was authorized at $237 million with a 65% federal cost share and 35% being paid locally based on shoreline space between the two towns. The State of North Carolina also makes contributions.

“But ultimately, we won’t know what those numbers will be until it goes out for bidding and they issue an award with a contractor,” Breuer said.

During a July meeting for the Surf City Council, several board members expressed their approval to continue progress. Mayor Pro-Tem William J. Fowler said there was a “glimmer of light” when the town was notified several years ago, which led to actions for preparations. He said they’ve been waiting for a year to get started, while waiting for their sister city of North Topsail Beach to join.

He said there will probably be some challenges along the way, but added officials can get through it together.

“I think it’s a great thing tax-wise, as well as beach renourishment-wise and tourism-wise, that we renourish our beach and have it the best we can possibly have it,” Fowler added. “I look forward to doing that with this board here.”

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