NORTH CAROLINA — The state’s environmental quality department has doled out more than $55 million in grants to go to public waterfront access sites in 20 years, including $2.8 million this fiscal year.
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Of that, almost $1 million will be funneled to five municipalities in the tri-county region.
The program is funded by the General Assembly via the state’s Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Staff with the state Division of Coastal Management select recipients based on criteria set by the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission.
Money this year will be given to towns in southeastern North Carolina, including Carolina Beach, Oak Island, Topsail Beach, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Isle, according to a Monday release from the governor’s office. Funds include:
- Town of Carolina Beach: $132,322 for improvements to 1810 Canal Drive site to construct a parking lot with handicap accessible parking spots, and construction of a 6′ x 150′ ADA-compliant wooden walkway allowing access from parking area to beach strand
- Town of Oak Island: $32,000 for new construction at the SE 31st kayak launch to install a new ADA compliant kayak launch with 3′ x 12’ safe launch, 4′ x 12’ open slip and an ADA transfer platform and new aluminum gangway
- Town of Ocean Isle Beach: $54,000 for improvements to the Concord Street Beach Access. The existing beach access currently terminates within the dune system, this project will extend the access from its current location and result in it terminating roughly even with the frontal dune. To meet ADA compliance, the stair system will be replaced by a wheelchair accessible ramp that will have appropriate five-foot landings per every 20 feet of inclined ramp. The access will also be widened to 8 feet across and have engineered x bracing supports
- Town of Sunset Beach: $392,175 for new construction at Majestic Oaks Park to construct 1,000 linear foot pervious walkway, and approximately 460 linear foot boardwalk and a wildlife observation area
- Town of Topsail Beach: $350,000 for the Topsail Beach South End Acquisition. The town is partnering with the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust (NCCLT) and North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to purchase in fee title a 149-plus-acre property located along Inlet and Shoreline Drives in Pender County. The $350,000 grant will be used purchase 1.5 acres of the property for public access. NCCLT will purchase the 149+-acre property and immediately transfer 1.5 acres to the Town. The remaining acres will be transferred to the State of North Carolina
Governments that receive the grants must match the money by contributing at least 25% toward the project’s cost.
“The natural resources of North Carolina’s coastal communities draw residents and visitors alike and are a vital part of the state’s economy,” Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser said in the release. “Supporting projects that help local governments and communities sustain safe natural shoreline spaces and improve access to our beaches and waterfront continues to be a priority for our agency.”
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