Non-profit files suit over Ocean Isle Beach terminal groin project

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An environmental group has filed a lawsuit in federal court over plans to build a terminal groin for Ocean Isle Beach.

The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Audubon North Carolina, claims the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ failed to objectively evaluate alternatives that would be less costly to Ocean Isle residents and less destructive to the coast.

“The terminal groin at Ocean Isle is bad for taxpayers, wildlife and everyone who loves to visit this special place on North Carolina’s coast,” said Heather Hahn, executive director of Audubon North Carolina. “Fortunately it isn’t necessary. There are more effective ways to manage erosion- options that would protect threatened properties, cost residents less money, and work with nature, rather than against it.”

The SELC filed the lawsuit in the United States Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. A news release alleges the proposed terminal groin would be particularly devastating to the undeveloped, unspoiled refuge on the island’s east end, a haven for boaters, families and wildlife. It also offers a special place where birds can eat, rest, and nest.

“We’re in court because the Corps failed to fairly consider alternatives that would cost Ocean Isle less, manage erosion, and protect the natural beach on the east end of the island when it approved this destructive project,” said Geoff Gisler, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Federal law requires the Corps to choose the least destructive alternative; with the terminal groin, it approved the most destructive.”

Terminal groins, or rock walls built across the beach into the ocean, were prohibited on North Carolina’s coast for more than 30 years.

In March, the town of Ocean Isle Beach received the necessary permits to build a 1,050 foot terminal groin on the east end of the island. It will extend approximately 750 feet into the ocean. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the $46 million dollar project. It’s expected to cost the town nearly $6 million.

In approving the terminal groin, the lawsuit claims the Corps violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in November.

We reached out to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Public Affairs Specialist Hank Heusinkveld told WWAY he would look into this and get back to us with more.