Town of Surf City issued the following announcement on Sept. 1.
The Town of Surf City proudly announces they can move forward with the next step in their long-awaited beach nourishment project. After reviewing the Validation Report that was submitted in March of this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is moving to authorize a Surf City only project and will now be working on the General Re-evaluation Report (GRR) as their next step.
The General Re-Evaluation Report will allow the USACE to redefine the scope of the project and the economics for Surf City given that neighboring town, North Topsail Beach, chose not to participate. The goal is to have approval and subsequent authorization as soon as possible on the GRR.
Additional next steps prior to initial construction will include the signing of a project partnership agreement between the town and USACE and easement acquisitions as required. Town Council and staff are pleased with this great news and will continue working closely with the USACE on the project timeline with an estimated 2024 completion.
“After a hard-fought battle, we are finally one step closer to seeing our project begin. It certainly pays to be patient and persistent on a project of this magnitude and I am thankful for Colonel Bennett, Bob Keistler, Kent Tranter, and their team who has worked hard along with us to see this project through to completion. Surf City wants to extend our gratitude to Senator Tillis, Senator Burr, and Congressman Rouzer for their persistence and support to bring this much-needed project to our shoreline. We are also thankful to North Topsail Beach for working along with us as they were seeking deauthorization which allows us to move forward. Since they declined the project, we can now move on with our part.”
– Mayor Medlin
“We greatly appreciate not only their patience but most importantly, the outstanding partnership we have received from Surf City leadership” said, COL Benjamin Bennett, Commander of the Wilmington District at USACE.
“We are pleased that we have identified a clear path to move forward together on this project. Construction of this beach is one of our top priorities and we look forward to seeing it through to protect lives and property in the area from coastal storms.”
This federal project will significantly increase the amount of sand on Surf City beaches by constructing a new dune that is projected to be 25 foot (ft) wide at an elevation of 15 ft above NGVD 29 and a berm with a crown width of 50 ft and a top elevation of 7 ft above NGVD 29.
For more information and to follow updates on this project please visit the Town’s website at www.surfcitync.gov/2370/BeachNourishment.
Original source can be found here.
