Since the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) “shook the couch cushions” and confirmed additional federal money for the upcoming renourishment along Carolina and Kure beaches, New Hanover County’s share of the costs has fallen.
Bid as a single project along with Wilmington Harbor Shipping Channel dredging near Bald Head Island, the federal government plans to spend more than $26 million between them, with the Carolina-Kure widenings termed a “storm damage reduction project” and the channel maintenance set to provide Bald Head’s eroded spots with new layers of sand.
USACE project manager Bob Keistler said the non-federal share of the Carolina-Kure project–that is, the amount of money the partnering local and state governments have to cover–is set to fall perhaps $3 million to potentially $5 million with rerouted available project funds in the Corps budget. Exact amounts will come known as the project’s details firm.
“It’s a good story for the local governments,” Keistler said.
Sand is set to pump ashore this winter.
Between the placements planned for Carolina and Kure, costs are around $9.3 million, an adjustment from the $14 million estimate for which the parties previously planned. Under that previous figure, and due to limited funds at the time from the federal government, New Hanover County was set to contribute $9.6 million to the project from its room occupancy tax fund.
Under the new cost scenario, New Hanover County expects to spend only $2 million or so, said Layton Bedsole, the county’s shoreline protection coordinator. The state’s contribution to the project, he noted, was $1.184 million while the federal government’s share will be $6.1 million.
“The Corps just did a phenomenal, phenomenal job” of locating additional dollars within its construction budget, Bedsole praised. He and Corps officials separately compared the money-finding effort to “shaking out the couch cushions” for coins.
A press release from the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre this week explained that, overall, $4.68 million of the total would focus on Carolina Beach’s shoreline while $4.63 million would sand-pad Kure Beach. (Related story.)
“Carolina Beach and Kure Beach are important economic engines for the Cape Fear region that must be preserved and protected,” McIntyre said. “I am pleased that these federal funds will be used to ensure that the coastline is protected to prevent further erosion. It is imperative to the local economy that the beaches are maintained in order for the Cape Fear coast to remain a premier vacation destination.”
McIntyre, co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Waterways Caucus, added commendations to USACE.
The contract for the work additionally covers Wilmington Harbor Shipping Channel maintenance dredging, the sand from which will go to Bald Head Island’s eroded South and West beaches. The federal government availed nearly $17 million to the project.
While the Carolina-Kure project is considered one for storm protection and did require local funding, Bald Head’s sand placement comes with no cost to the island. That’s because the project’s focus–clearing out the navigation channel–is fully federal; Bald Head is essentially the dumping ground for the dredged sand per an agreement with USACE.
Contact Ben Brown at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
