Proposed bill to repeal North Carolina coastal structure ban draws mixed reaction
NORTH CAROLINA (WWAY-TV) — New legislation that could repeal a decades-old ban on jetties and groins along the coast of North Carolina is receiving mixed reactions from coastal advocates and residents.
Several Republican senators, including Onslow County Sen. Michael Lazzara, are backing the proposal.
North Carolina banned hardened shoreline structures in 1985 over concerns they could worsen beach erosion and disrupt the natural movement of sand along barrier islands.
On Tuesday, WWAY spoke with the North Carolina Coastal Federation, which opposes repealing the ban. The organization says hardened shoreline structures can increase erosion in nearby areas.
Jeff Wells, a longtime resident of Topsail Beach and author, has advocated for a terminal groin on the island and supports the proposed legislation.
“We have been pushing for it in this local community for a long time, a lot of homeowners have and there’s mixed feelings on it because a lot people have a misconception a terminal groin versus a jettie, it’s just one structure build at the end of the island, so they don’t have to worry about that fear of it you know being a never ending supply of jetties that has to be build down the island,” Wells said.
Supporters of the bill argue terminal groins can help protect beachfront property and stabilize inlets, while opponents warn the structures may create long-term environmental impacts for neighboring shorelines.
The bill was filed at the end of April. If approved, the changes would take effect in September.
