North Carolina Senate Republicans push to repeal coastal ban on jetties and groins

NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY-TV) — Some North Carolina Senate Republicans are backing legislation that would repeal a decades-old ban on hardened shoreline structures along the state’s coast in an effort to address beach erosion.

Republican senators, including Sen. Michael Lazzara of Onslow County, are sponsoring the bill, which would allow structures such as jetties and groins to be used along North Carolina beaches.

The state banned hardened shoreline structures in 1985 because of concerns they could worsen erosion on nearby beaches by disrupting the natural movement of sand along the coastline.

Supporters of the proposal say the structures could help protect parts of the coast experiencing significant erosion.

Opponents, however, warn the move could create long-term environmental impacts and lead to additional shoreline hardening across the coast.

Kerri Allen, coastal management program director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, said repealing the ban could lead to increased erosion in surrounding areas.

“You can’t have just one hardened structure. Because of that erosion that is shifts, you have to put up another one and another one and another one and next thing you know, your entire beach is filled with seawalls and groins and jetties,” Allen said.

The bill was filed at the end of April. If approved, the changes would take effect in September.