Posted on August 6, 2025
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is awarding more than $9.39 million for five coastal projects aimed at mitigating storm damage through beach and dune restoration.
The funding comes from the state’s Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund, which supports efforts to repair and preserve North Carolina’s oceanfront beaches and dune systems.
Projects selected for funding include:
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Buxton nourishment (Dare County): $3.6 million
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Beach nourishment in Oak Island: $3 million
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Avon Beach nourishment (Dare County): $2 million
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Bogue Banks nourishment design (Carteret County): $663,537
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Beach management plan (Currituck County): $120,568
Each of the five applications submitted by local governments was approved. In total, the local governments will contribute more than $44 million in matching funds to support the projects.
“This funding will help coastal communities protect natural resources that are essential to their quality of life and economies,” said N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson. “By restoring beaches and dunes, the projects will also make these communities more resilient to future storms.”
Governor Josh Stein also highlighted the environmental and economic value of the funding.
“These grants will help preserve our state’s beauty, protect people’s livelihoods, and keep communities safe,” Stein said in a statement.
The Division of Water Resources scored applications based on criteria including environmental, social, and economic benefits, as well as project efficiency and long-term impact.
The Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Fund was established by the General Assembly in 2023 and supports nourishment, dune creation, and other projects aimed at reducing the impact of coastal storms.
