State awards more than $2 million to improve public access to NC’s beaches and coastal waters

MOREHEAD CITY, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has awarded more than $2.25 million in grants to fund 10 projects, including 2 in the Cape Fear, that will expand and improve public access to the state’s treasured beaches and coastal waterways.

The grants, awarded through the Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access Grant Program, will help local governments in the 20 coastal counties acquire land for public access sites and construct or enhance amenities such as dune crossovers, fishing piers, parking areas, restrooms, and kayak launches.

New Hanover County will receive $265,000 for the Trails End Waterfront Access. This project will install a new kayak launch, ADA parking, and an ADA sidewalk to the existing pier, along with additional signage. The work will be completed concurrently with bulkhead repairs.

Ocean Isle Beach will receive $82,500 for the Shallotte Blvd Beach Access. This project will replace a non-ADA dune crossover. The new access will be widened to eight feet wide and made to comply with ADA requirements. The stairs will be replaced with wheelchair-accessible ramps.

For more information about the program, go to the Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access website.