Army Corps seeks public input on proposed terminal groin at North Topsail Beach
NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, N.C. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on an environmental study that could lead to the construction of a terminal groin at North Topsail Beach.
A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. at North Topsail Beach Town Hall to discuss the study and its potential environmental impacts.
“Obviously, groins are very controversial,” coastal engineer Francis Way told the North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen during an update on the condition of the town’s shoreline.
Way encouraged residents who support the project to attend next week’s public meeting.
“A lot of times opponents will come out a lot, but I do encourage proponents of the project to come out,” Way said.
The Army Corps is evaluating five options for managing the shoreline and inlet, an area that has experienced strong currents. New warning signs were installed this summer following several drownings.
The five options under consideration are:
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Continue current beach and inlet management.
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Abandon federally authorized beach and inlet management by the town.
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Beach nourishment only.
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Beach nourishment and construction of a terminal groin.
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Beach nourishment, terminal groin construction and continued active inlet management.
Some coastal experts have raised concerns about the potential effects of a terminal groin.
“Permanent structures aren’t a permanent solution,” said Laura Moore, an environmental science professor at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Moore said structures designed to slow erosion in one location can contribute to erosion in another.
“Wherever you’re slowing erosion down, you’re leading to an increase in erosion elsewhere,” she said.
For North Topsail Beach resident Jeff Wells, the construction of a terminal groin is long overdue.
“We’ve lost too many homes, and entire sections of our island are eroding away,” Wells said.
The debate comes as state lawmakers consider repealing North Carolina’s ban on structures such as jetties and groins. A bill to repeal the ban advanced through the Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee in June.
The Army Corps’ environmental study will help determine the potential impacts of the options being considered for North Topsail Beach.
The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at North Topsail Beach Town Hall. Residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the study.
