Federal government to provide Carolina Beach dredging funding

The federal government is giving some much needed money to Carolina Beach for the inlet dredging project.

Thursday the US House, Energy and Water appropriations committee granted $1.2 million for Carolina Beach inlet dredging. It’s enough to cover the full cost of the project.

The White House had proposed zero funding for dredging projects, arguing local funds should pay for dredging to make waterways safe for commercial fishermen and boaters.

Congressman Mike McIntyre said, “Too often the White House considers inlets, beach and waterway projects to be projects of just local interest, and we’ve had to hammer away with our colleagues that these are important not only to the economy of the local communities but of the entire region and indeed from a national perspective.”

McIntyre is confident the full House will approve the money. If everything goes as planned the money would become available this fall.

In the meantime local governments are paying to keep the inlet opened.

The House and Senate have approved money for work on other local waterways.