Surf City reaches major milestone in nearly 20-year coastal protection effort

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — Surf City officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked a major milestone Monday in a coastal protection project nearly two decades in the making.

The town celebrated the signing of a Project Partnership Agreement for the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project during a ceremony at the beach. The town stated that it was “was more than a signing. It was a celebration of years of planning, perseverance, partnership, and a shared vision for the future of our community.”

The agreement formally establishes the responsibilities and commitments of Surf City and the Army Corps, allowing the project to move from planning and design toward implementation.

Surf City officials said the project represents years of planning, collaboration and work by town leaders, residents and federal partners.

Mayor Teresa Batts, Lt. Col. Porter of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Congressman David Rouzer spoke during Monday’s ceremony about the project and the partnership behind it.

The coastal storm risk management project was first initiated in 2010 and is designed to reduce risks from coastal storms, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen the long-term resilience of Surf City.

The project includes beach nourishment and construction of a new dune system intended to provide additional protection for the town’s coastline.

Town officials described Monday’s agreement as an important investment in Surf City’s future.

“Nearly 20 years of hard work brought us here and now, we move forward together,” the town said in a statement following the ceremony.