Shoreline Protection News
Town Seeking More Information in Order to Proceed with Phase One of the Shoreline Protection Project
Town Staff has reported that storms and the effects of northeastern winds have caused erosion on the North end of the Town. There are 6 to 8 homes that are currently threatened. The Topsail Reef condominium complex is planning on sandbagging all eight of their buildings and some individual property owners are considering sandbagging as well, as this is the only immediate measure that can be taken to protect property. Below is a slideshow with recent pictures of the North end (pictures were taken 1/22/12 and 1/23/12).
At the January 4, 2012 regular Board of Aldermen meeting, the Board of Aldermen made the decision to proceed with Phase One of the Shoreline Protection Project (more info, also see Project 2 on this page) and to have Coastal Planning & Engineering (CP&E), which developed the project, review with potential contractors possible changes in the plan that would lead to cost savings in construction and implementation and to report back to the Board with their findings. Phase One of the proposed project will realign and deepen New River Inlet. The sand from the channel deepening will be used to nourish the northern end of the island.
The Board also agreed that after review and consent by the Board of the findings, the Town will proceed with directing CP&E to prepare the necessary design, engineering, and bid documents in order to begin construction as soon as practicable in 2012. The Board agreed that it will schedule a workshop to review available funding sources and to develop a final plan for implementation. In addition, the Board agreed to suspend the Town's permit application fee to move a house through the calendar year of 2012, provided the house remains in North Topsail Beach.
North End 1/22/12 & 1/23/12
Terminal Groins Still an Option for Managing Erosion at NTB
On November 3, 2011 the Board of Aldermen directed Town Staff to send a request for proposal (RFP) to coastal engineering firms for assistance with a "scoping meeting" for a terminal groin at New River Inlet. This meeting would be the first step in the process of obtaining a permit for a terminal groin. The RFPs are currently being evaluated by Town Staff and will be presented to the Board for discussion or action at the next regular Board of Aldermen meeting (February 2, 2012). The construction of a terminal groin is one of the options the Town has for managing the erosion for the North end of North Topsail Beach.
Town Staff Directed to Have Stakeholders Meetings on Long Term & Short Term Solutions to Beach Erosion
At the December 2, 2011 regular Board of Aldermen meeting, Town Staff was directed to set up stakeholders meetings to address long term and short term solutions to beach erosion.
On December 30, 2011 Town Staff met with several property owners from the Topsail Reef to discuss short term solutions to address the severe erosion that is occuring in front of the Topsail Reef condominium complex.
Click here for pictures that were taken by a property owner at the Topsail Reef.
Click here for a link to contact your local, State and Federal Representatives.
Gahagan & Bryant is Performing Analysis of the Sand on Two Nearby Spoil Islands
Gahagan & Bryant will be presenting the results of their study on the sand for two nearby spoil islands at the February 2nd regular Board of Aldermen meeting. The results of the study could impact the sand sources available for a beach nourishment project.
NTB has Special Meetings to Hear Information About a Terminal Groin at New River Inlet
In response to the N.C. General Assembly passing legislation to allow four terminal groins in N.C. inlets the Town Board asked Chris Gibson from the coastal engineering firm Gahagan and Bryant to make a presentation about the installation of a terminal groin at New River Inlet. Below is a link to Mr. Gibson's memorandum, his PowerPoint presentation, and other information about terminal groins. The Town Manager and Staff were directed to ask other engineering firms to present information about a terminal groin to the Board of Aldermen and to begin compiling a list of threatened structures within the Town.
Tim Kana of Coastal Science and Engineering agreed to come speak to the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, September 13th. Links to his presentation and other documents are below. Ken Willson from Coastal Planning and Engineering made a presentation to the Board on Tuesday, September 20th. Mike Giles and Tracy Skrabal from NC Coastal Federation also presented to the Board on September 20th. Links to those presentations are below. Dr. Robert Young and Andy Coburn from Western Carolina University also spoke to the NTB Board of Aldermen at their October 6, 2011 meeting. Links to their presentations are below.
11/3/2011 - The Board of Aldermen directed Town Staff to send a request for proposal (RFP) to coastal engineering firms for assistance with a "scoping meeting" for a terminal groin at New River Inlet. This meeting would be the first step in the process of obtaining a permit for a terminal groin.
TERMINAL GROIN PRESENTATIONS AND DOCUMENTS
Gahagan & Bryant PowerPoint Presentation
Gahagan & Bryant Memorandum
Fort Macon Terminal Groin Article from Shore & Beach Fall 2010/Winter 2011
Coastal Science and Engineering PowerPoint Presentation
Coastal Science and Engineering Memorandum
Construction and performance of six template groins at Hunting Island, SC
Management and Engineering Guidelines for Groin Rehabilitation
Coastal Planning and Engineering PowerPoint Presentation
Coastal Federation PowerPoint Presentation
Dr. Robert Young (Western Carolina University) Presentation
Andy Coburn (Western Carolina University) Presentation