Posted on July 1, 2026
Wilmington, N.C. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, has received approval to use previously appropriated Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (DRA19) construction funding for the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, allowing the district to move forward with the next phase of project implementation.
The approval enables the Corps to execute a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) with the Town of Surf City, complete final engineering and design activities, and begin preparations for construction of the federally authorized coastal storm risk management project.
The Town of Surf City is supported by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), with funds allocated by the N.C. General Assembly.
“This approval represents an important milestone for the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project and allows us to begin the final steps necessary before construction can begin,” said Col. Brad Morgan, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District. “We appreciate the continued partnership with the Town of Surf City as we work together to deliver a project that will provide long-term coastal storm risk reduction for the Surf City community.”
The Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project is designed to reduce the risk of coastal storm damage through restoration of the community’s beach and dune system. The project will restore approximately 6 miles of shoreline through placement of approximately 6.5 million cubic yards of compatible beach-quality sand. Upon completion, portions of the restored beach are expected to be approximately 50 feet wider—about the width of a regulation basketball court—while a rebuilt dune system will provide increased protection from future coastal storms.
Over the coming months, the Corps expects to execute the Project Partnership Agreement in July 2026, complete final engineering and design, advertise and award the construction contract, and begin construction in late 2027. Construction is expected to take approximately 16 months, although the schedule remains subject to refinement as project planning progresses.
“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone for Surf City and the future of our coastline,” said Mayor Teresa Batts. “The approval to move this project forward reflects years of hard work, collaboration and a shared commitment among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our federal, state, county and local partners. We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring us to this point, and we look forward to beginning the construction phase. This project will help protect our shoreline, preserve our beaches, strengthen our community, and ensure Surf City remains a place that residents and visitors can enjoy for generations to come.”
As the project advances toward construction, the Town of Surf City will continue coordinating with the Corps. The Town will also complete the required real estate actions necessary before construction activities begin.
The Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project was authorized to help reduce damages from coastal storms while improving the resilience of Surf City’s shoreline and critical infrastructure. The project is funded through the Disaster Relief Act of 2019. Although funding for the project had previously been appropriated, federal approval was required before those funds could be used for construction activities. That approval has now been received, allowing the Corps to move into the final planning stages before construction.
USACE remains committed to working with local partners to accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure, enabling nonfederal partners to complete projects more quickly. After all, our primary goal is building infrastructure, not paperwork.
Additional project information, including construction schedules and public updates, will be provided as major project milestones are reached.
