Beach Nourishment & Preservation

[NOTE: This information has been provided by of the ASBPA]

ASBPA Announces 2026 Best Restored Beaches

Highlighting projects that preserve habitats, protect communities, and enhance beach recreation.

Beaufort, SC, May 18, 2026 – As part of its 100th Anniversary celebration, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is proud to announce the recipients of the annual Best Restored Beach Award, recognizing outstanding coastal restoration projects from across the United States.

The 2026 award-winning projects are:

● San Clemente, CA: City of San Clemente & USACE Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project

● Martin County, FL: Hutchinson Island Shore Protection Project

● Manhattan Beach, CA: Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project

● Oak Island, NC: Oak Island Renourishment Project

● West Grand Terre Island, Jefferson Parish, LA: West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment and

Shoreline Stabilization Project

Since 2002, ASBPA has presented the Best Restored Beach awards to over 100 coastal projects across the nation, highlighting the vital role restored beaches play in local communities. The awards recognize projects across the country that strengthen shoreline resilience - helping protect communities from storm damage and flooding, adapt to changing sea levels, and support healthy coastal ecosystems - while preserving beaches as valuable natural and recreational resources. 

“ASBPA is proud to celebrate 100 years of advocating for shore and beach preservation in 2026, with the Best Restored Beach awards reflecting the nation’s long history of successful beach nourishment projects,” said Nicole Elko, Executive Director. “For over a century, communities have invested in their beaches, with the earliest documented project dating back to Coney Island, NY, in 1923. Over the 25-year history of the Best Restored Beach awards, over 100 projects from across the country have been recognized, and in this centennial year, we’re excited to highlight beaches from coast to coast.”

Beaches Drive Economies & Protect Communities

Beaches are the top tourist destination in the United States:

• Nearly 50% of Americans visit beaches each year

• $520 billion in annual economic output

• $240 billion in direct spending

• $36 billion in tax revenue

Beyond tourism, restored beaches play a critical role in safeguarding homes, infrastructure, and natural ecosystems from storms by:

• Protecting coastal communities from storms and flooding

• Providing habitat for wildlife

• Supporting local economies

Award winners are selected based on their environmental and economic benefits, long-term success, and the challenges they overcame.

2026 Project Highlights

City of San Clemente & USACE Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project, San Clemente, California. This project is one of only two recent federally funded beach replenishment efforts in California in over 50 years. It adds vital sand to an eroding coastline, improving coastal resilience and protecting infrastructure. With the city set to host Olympic surfing events in 2028, the restored beach will welcome visitors from around the world. Strong collaboration among local agencies, residents, and stakeholders helped ensure broad community support.

Hutchinson Island Shore Protection Project, Martin County, Florida. Initially constructed in 1995, this project has successfully stabilized a critically eroded coastline. For over 30 years, continuous monitoring and adaptive management have led to measurable improvements, including stronger dunes, a wider beach, and enhanced nesting habitat for sea turtles. The project demonstrates how long-term, data-driven management can successfully restore and maintain a dynamic coastal system while delivering lasting environmental and community benefits. 

Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project, Manhattan Beach, California. As one of the first living shoreline efforts in the County of Los Angeles, this dune restoration project proves that busy public beaches can also support thriving ecosystems. Native plants and restored dunes have helped bring wildlife back, including the threatened El Segundo blue butterfly and the Southern California legless lizard. With more than 560 volunteers planting nearly 2,000 plants since 2023, the project showcases the power of community engagement in building coastal resilience.

Oak Island Renourishment Project, Oak Island, North Carolina. This project highlights the impact of collaboration among the local community, municipal leaders, and state and federal partners. A decade of ongoing monitoring has helped refine the project over time, improving effectiveness and long-term results. Smart coordination and funding strategies allowed the community to complete the work while minimizing impacts on local taxpayers, creating a model for other coastal towns.

West Grand Terre Beach Nourishment and Shoreline Stabilization Project, West Grand Terre Island, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. This large-scale restoration highlights the critical role barrier islands play in protecting Louisiana’s vulnerable coast and rapidly disappearing marshes. The project restored over 400 acres of beach, dunes, and marsh, strengthening the region’s first line of defense against storms while supporting vital estuarine habitat. Community engagement, including local high school students helping to plant vegetation, showcases the value of hands-on efforts in making a meaningful community impact.

Celebrating 100 Years of Coastal Stewardship

In celebration of ASBPA’s 100th anniversary, the 2026 award-winning project teams will be recognized at the ASBPA National Coastal Conference Centennial Celebration in Atlantic City, New Jersey, October 5-8, 2026.

For the first time ever, ASBPA is hosting a public vote to decide who receives the prestigious Best of the Best Award! Vote for your favorite of 100 past Best Restored Beach awardees and learn more at asbpa.org/2026/01/13/vote-for-the-best-of-the-best-restored-beaches.

Learn more about ASBPA, the science and policy of beach restoration, and view a complete list of Best Restored Beach awards at ASBPA.org.

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American Shore and Beach Preservation Association - ASBPA Advocating for Healthy Coastlines – founded in 1926, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing our coasts by merging science and public policy.

The 2025 / 2026 Beach Nourishment Project was the largest non-emergency nourishment project for the Town of Oak Island in over 25 years. Work on the project stretched the full length of the Town's incorporated limits, providing direct sand placement to a majority of the beach, and indirect benefits to many other areas along the beach strand.  

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Not all areas of the beach are the same. Throughout the more than 10 miles of project shoreline, different geological forces have shaped and impacted the beach in different ways.
• While this project serviced the entire beach area with survey and engineering assessments, it also accounted for the different needs of specific areas, as well as available resources and funding. Although some did not receive direct sand placement during this project, all areas are expected to benefit, due to factors including historical stability and erosion rates, as well as the natural migration of sand due to wind and tidal impacts.

A revised total of 1,955,000 cubic yards (cy) of new sand placement was provided through a combination of three individual projects:

• Lockwoods Folly Inlet Project: 100,000cy 
•  Wilmington Harbor Project: 800,000cy (original projection: 600,000cy) 
•  OS-OKI Project: 1,055,000cy (original projection: 941,000cy with 114,000cy added on December 19, 2025)

 Information on each individual project is provided below:

WILMINGTON HARBOR

This project was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with no direct oversight from Town Administration, and is part of regular maintenance dredging of the Wilmington Harbor Inner Ocean Bar. It provided sand placement on Caswell Beach and Oak Island.

The Town of Oak Island contributed funds which enabled additional material to be dredged and placed on the eastern portions of the Town of Oak Island. A total of 600,000cy of sand was initially projected to be received, but actually resulted in 800,000cy as more materials had become available since the initial surveys were conducted. 

This project placed sand on the East end of the Town's beaches, from McGlamery Street to SE 63rd Street.

• NOTE: Project Limits and Environmental Requirements. Initial plans identified NE 55th Street as the intended limit, but further permitting and environmental review tied to the 2001 Sea Turtle Project Monitoring Zone, set the final western limit near NE 63rd Street. These limits were confirmed by USACE in January 2026.
• Additional sand was placed near the western end of construction area at SE 63rd Street to maximize natural westward migration benefits.
• After‑Action Review & Future Planning. The review will evaluate performance, total sand volumes, funding allocations, and future placement limit considerations. Future projects will feature at least twice‑monthly coordination meetings.

Sand Placement operations for this project lasted a total of 41 days, starting on January 5, 2025 and ending on February 14, 2026.

OS-OKI

The Off-Shore Oak Island (OS-OKI) project was conducted by contracted engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, with direct oversight from the Town of Oak Island. The goal of this project was to provide an Advance Fill Berm to maintain the 10-Year Level of Protection provided by 2020 / 2021 and 2021 / 2022 Beach Nourishment Projects.

A total of 941,000cy of sand was initially projected to be received, but an additional 114,000cy was approved by the Oak Island Town Council on Monday, December 15, 2025, made available through a Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Grant for $3M.

•  NOTE: Some locations within this service area may not receive sand during this project, based on factors including stability of historical erosion rates and budgeting limitations.

Sand Placement operations for this project lasted a total of 72 days, starting on November 21, 2025 and ending on January 31, 2026.

LOCKWOODS FOLLY INLET

Also known as the Lockwoods Folly Inlet Crossing & Bend Widener Project, this project was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and COMPLETED in March 2025, with no direct oversight from Town Administration.

Dredging from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), the USACE provided 100,000 cubic yards (cy) of sand to the beach area on the far West end, known as The Point.

The Town is proactively working to restore the oceanfront shoreline and dune to provide necessary protection for its future. Recent dune renourishment projects conducted in 2021 and 2022 have increased the level of protection of the primary dune system, but to maintain this protection, ongoing beach management is necessary. The Town is currently working on a beach nourishment project to provide an advance fill beach berm as shown in the figure below.

(JPG, 121KB)

The purpose of the planned beach nourishment project is to:

• Where needed, repair the primary dune system to the previously authorized design level of protection implemented in two renourishment efforts in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to protect upland infrastructure along the Town’s oceanfront.
• Construct a berm to serve as advanced fill to provide a buffer volume to counteract ongoing background erosion.
• Enhance sandy dune and beach habitat for nesting sea turtles and wildlife.
• provide a recreational beach for public access and promote tourism.

The Town’s project was designed in accordance with the Town’s approved CRC Beach Management Plan (can link to section of website where this is available if desired) to provide advance fill and repair dunes where the appropriate Level of Protection (LoP) is not provided by the existing dunes.

The designed project proposes to place 2.4 million cubic yards (Mcy) of sand on Oak Island’s beaches to accomplish this goal. The identified borrow source is an offshore borrow site in Federal waters and managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

Some portions of the Town’s shoreline may benefit from planned sand placement by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Any sand placed by the USACE, partially funded by the Town of Oak Island, would reduce the quantities associated with the Town’s project.

The Town is in the process of obtaining the final permit authorizations from the USACE and lease agreement with BOEM to utilize sand from the offshore borrow site.

The following authorizations have been obtained for the project:

• 401 Water Quality Certification (8/1/2024)
• CAMA Permit (8/21/2024)
• State Historic Preservation Office Determination of No Effect (9/4/2024)
• Tribal Historic Preservation Office Determination of No Effect (10/3/2024)
• Essential Fish Habitat Consultation Completed (10/16/2024)
• Section 408 Review Completed (11/25/2024)
• BOEM / USACE Joint Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
• USACE Permit

• April 20, 2026: The Public Works Department began performing Sand Leveling Operations on all public beach areas previously serviced as part of the 2025 / 2026 Beach Nourishment Project. The purpose is to perform leveling of all escarpment areas, where placed sand has settled with a height difference of 18” or more. This served to finalize the on-beach operations from the Project, and provide a smooth beach gradient for sea turtles prior to the start of Sea Turtle Nesting Season on Friday, May 1.
• On Tuesday, February 10, both the US Army Corps of Engineers (Wilmington Harbor) and the contracted engineering firm Moffat & Nichol (OS-OKI) gave post-project presentations to the Town Council. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATIONS
•  As of Saturday, January 31, sand placement operations have been COMPLETED for the Off-Shore Oak Island (OS-OKI) portion of the Project. To allow for the demobilization and removal of equipment, the area of W Beach Drive from 69th Pl West to The Point was CLOSED daily to all thru-traffic from 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM until February 13.
• January 26, 2026: Sand placement continues throughout multiple work zones as both the Wilmington Harbor and the Oak Island Off-Shore (OS-OKI) projects begin drawing to a close. At current progress, on-beach operations for the OS-OKI project should be concluded this week, while the USACE wraps up the Wilmington Harbor project by early next week. Councilmembers Terri Cartner and Bob Ciullo, along with Assistant Town Manager Kent Jackson, received an onsite progress report when they toured the dredge ship RB Weeks this past Thursday, January 22, 2026.]
• January 19, 2026: Work continues multiple zones as sand placement operations for the Wilmington Harbor (USACE) and the Oak Island Off-Shore (OS-OKI) projects begin entering their final stretches.
• January 12, 2026: The Project remains active in multiple work zones, as sand placement for the Wilmington Harbor (USACE) is now in the area of Keziah St., and the Oak Island Off-Shore (OS-OKI) project is in the area of 33rd Pl W.
• January 5, 2026: The Project is now active in multiple work zones, as sand placement for the Wilmington Harbor (USACE) and the Oak Island Off-Shore (OS-OKI) projects are both in operation on the public beach areas. 
• Friday, December 19, 2025: as noted earlier, an additional 114,000 cubic yards of sand has been added to the project.\
• By December 20, crews will return to the pipeline at SE 40th St, to place the additional sand in the area of SE 43rd St. to SE 52nd St. Work in this area expected to be complete by December 25, afterwards, crews will return to the previous work area near 9th Pl E.
• Tuesday, December 16, 2025: Sand Placement has bee COMPLETED from SE 43rd St to 14th Pl E -- Projected Work Area for the week of December 16 - 22 will be from 11th Pl E to 3rd Pl E
• Monday, December 15, 2025: The Oak Island Town Council has approved the placement of an additional 114,000 cubic yards of sand, made available through a Coastal Storm Damage Mitigation Grant for $3M. This additional sand will be placed in the areas of SE 43rd St. to SE 52nd St. and from 2nd Pl W to 3rd Pl W. Currently, the OS-OKI operation has placed 255,000 out of the 941,000 cubic yards of sand provided in the Base Contract 
• Tuesday, December 9 several pipelines have been placed outside of the current working area, to allow for future operations. Currently, these locations include: SE 40th St. and 23rd Pl W, These pipes are considered staged equipment and should NOT be climbed on, walked around or interacted with in any way!
• As of Monday, December 8 the Dredging & Sand Placement has been COMPLETED from SE 43rd St. to 25th Pl E. Operations are currently between 22nd Pl E and 11th Pl E, moving WEST
• Tuesday, December 2, 2025: A Special Notification letter was drafted and sent to property owners along the far West end of the project area (W Beach Dr.), notifying them that private walkovers constructed on the dunes may need to be removed, to allow for dune construction. 
• Monday, December 1, 2025: The Dredging & Sand Placement has been COMPLETED from SE 43rd St. to 29th Pl E. Operations are currently between 29th Pl E and 19th Pl E, moving WEST 
• Wednesday, November 26: Assistant Town Manager Kent Jackson has toured the construction area, and was given a full onsite briefing now that regular operations are underway. The project has experience little complications during the start, and is operating on-schedule. 
• Monday, November 25, 2025: Crews have mostly completed work throughout the first project section at SE 43rd St. From there, operations will resume work at 37th Pl E and proceed West.
• Friday, November 21, 2025: The Hopper Dredge RB WEEKS arrived at the dredging are offshore around shortly before 6:00 AM, with Dredging & Sand Placement operations becoming active at 4:30 PM, following a pre-dredge safety checklist.
• Monday, November 17, 2025: Dredging & Sand Placement operations remain anticipated to begin late evening on Thursday, November 20 or early Friday, November 21. The first working location will be from approximately 37th PL E to SE 43rd St.
• Sunday, November 16, 2025: Previously noted parking areas on SE 49th St. are now CLOSED with equipment and materials now in place for project staging.  
• Wednesday, November 12, 2025: Dredging operations are now scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 20, with pipe and equipment placement on the beach still scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 16.  
• Monday, November 10, 2025: (UPDATED) Starting on Sunday, November 16, 2025 the public parking area and Beach Access Locations on SE 49th St. will be CLOSED to allow for equipment placement and project staging  Additionally, a surveyor from Weeks Marine (the contractor performing the dredging and sand placement) will begin performing the Before Dredging (BD) surveys along the beach. Both the BD and AD (After Dredging) Surveys will be performed regularly throughout the project, and will begin at the eastern edge of the work area near SE 46th St., and move towards the West as the work progresses.     
• Thursday, November 6, 2025:A surveyor from Weeks Marine will be performing the Before Dredging (BD) surveys along the beach, starting on Monday, November 10. Both Before Dredging (BD) and After Dredging (AD) surveys will be performed regularly throughout the project. Survey work will begin at the eastern edge of the project, near SE 46th St., and move towards the West as the project progresses.
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025: The Town has been notified by Weeks Marine (the contractor performing the dredging and sand placement) that it intends to begin mobilizing pipes and equipment on the beach on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Weeks Marine will be using the Beach Access Location at SE 49th St. as the Staging Area. and track equipment using the contractor beach access route across E. Beach Drive as stated in the letter.
• Thursday, October 16, 2025: The Town has been notified by Coastal Transplants that teams will be conducting harvesting of Sea Oats between October 28 -November 5, 2025. This is in coordination with pre-project survey work for the Beach Nourishment Project. Harvesting will be from the area planted as part of the previous beach nourishment, to ensure Oak island seed is replanted as part of the current project. Team members will identify themselves and display the Coastal Transplants logo on their apparel.
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025: The Pre-Construction Beach Profile Survey has begun. Surveying contractor Gahagan & Bryant Associates (GBA) will be conducting the survey work, which will include operations on the land and water. The work is expected to take between 7 - 14 days to complete, weather permitting. CLICK HERE for full details on this Notice.

Provided below is a graphic which shows the timing, locations, and sand amounts (in cubic yards) of all beach nourishment efforts dating back to 2001.

The Beach & Inlet Management Plan is the ongoing effort by the Town of Oak Island to provide long-term, managed solutions for the care and maintenance of the public beach and inlet areas.

this page provides information on the current progress of the plan, a full history of the plan's timeline, and tools to help better understand how the it would affect residents, property owners, and visitors to Oak Island.

Purpose

The sand dunes and public beach areas of Oak Island are vital to the protection of homes, businesses, wildlife, and the economy of the Town. To ensure they continue providing that protection for years to come, they must be respected, maintained, and re-nourished regularly.

The Beach & Inlet Management Plan was established in order to provide a multi-year strategy that addresses the common challenges of beach erosion. The Plan works to do this in a way that is comprehensive, yet financially responsible.

Funding

Beach nourishment projects represent some of the largest financial planning commitments within the Town of Oak Island. Several options for long-term funding of the Beach & Inlet Management Plan have been explored by the Town Council, with the Option 1(PDF, 340KB) (of 3) model chosen as the approved funding method.

• Presentation materials on the various funding options presented(PDF, 340KB)

Select the image below to view funding details on Options 1:

(JPG, 162KB)

Assumptions of Option 1:

• Unencumbered General Fund (Balance) not to exceed 25%.
• Accommodations Tax (Both Funds 45, 46) estimated to be 75% of the total annual budgeted amount.
• The remaining 25% shall be used for operational type items.
• Any unused funds within the 25% shall remain in both Funds 45 and 46 and placed into Fund Balances.
• County revaluation will effect the FY 2023-2024 Budget, which anticipates approximately 20% - 30% increase.
• Growth assumptions figured at 2%. Sand Tax of $.05 for FY 22-23 then an adjusted amount equivalent to $.06 with anticipated tax revaluations for FY 2023-2024 going forward.

Benefits of Option 1:

• No increase to Sand Tax Rate.
• No Bond or Borrowing required.
• Beach Nourishment and on-going projects are included.
• Growth projections could gain resulting in decrease General Fund Transfer amount.
• Decision on General Fund Transfer occurs in FY 2024 / 2025 for funding allowing additional time to account for actuals.

Risks of Option 1:

• Growth projections and/or Brunswick County revaluation projections less than anticipated.
• Potential increase in General Fund Transfer.

Taxpayer Impacts of Option 1:

• No Sand Tax Rate Increase.
• Brunswick County revaluation expected to impact property values in FY 2023 / 2024.

Development History

The Beach & Inlet Management Plan has been previously referred to by names such as the "Beach Nourishment Master Plan," or simply the "Beach Management Plan." The Plan has been in development for a significant amount of time. Most recently, throughout the Fall / Winter of 2020, into the Spring of 2021, the Council has held meetings with with financial consultants, DEC Associates, Inc., based out of Charlotte, NC. Prior to the most recent meetings with DEC Associates, the development timeline for the Plan includes:

• January 12, 2016: Approved hiring Peter Ravella Consulting to provide a plan for funding beach nourishment
• February 15, 2016: Preview of beach plan presented by Moffatt & Nichol
• May 10, 2016: Approved contract with Moffatt & Nichol for beach monitoring; approved contract with O’Brien Gere to secure a shallow draft inlet dredging permit for the Town
• June 3, 2016: Presentations from Moffatt & Nichol, Beach & Inlet Committee
• June 14, 2016: Motion to increase tax rate by five cents to raise funds for beach nourishment failed; approved beach monitoring contract with Moffatt & Nichol; set tax rate at revenue-neutral, 29 cents, with 1.5 of that earmarked for sand
• July 14, 2016: Joint meeting with Beach & Inlet Committee, no action taken
• September 13, 2016: Approved Memorandum of Understanding with the Corps of Engineers for the Wilmington Harbor Project
• October 8, 2016: Hurricane Matthew
• October 13, 2016: Directed Johnny Martin with Moffatt & Nichol to work with Corps of Engineers re: Oak Island and the Wilmington Harbor Project
• January 4, 2017: Special Meeting – Moffatt & Nichol presentation
• January 10, 2017: Approve moving forward with post-Hurricane Matthew FEMA Emergency Dune Project
• March/April 2017: Began post-Hurricane Matthew FEMA Emergency Dune Project
• March 14, 2017: Presentation from DEC Associates on methods for funding beach nourishment
• April 18, 2017: Update on FEMA emergency dune project – Moffatt & Nichol
• May 23, 2017: update on beach projects – Moffatt & Nichol
• June 5, 2017: Johnny Martin with Moffatt & Nichol presentation on long-term beach nourishment options; discussion with DEC Associates regarding funding methods
• June 13, 2017: motion to use DEC recommendation to increases taxes 10 cents for beach nourishment did not get a second and the motion died; motion to set tax rate at 31 cents with 2 cents earmarked for sand passed; motion to approve $2,995,000 contract with Moffatt & Nichol for beach nourishment plan approved
• November 14, 2017: Update from Moffatt & Nichol on beach projects
• December 2017 - March 2018: finished post-Hurricane Matthew FEMA Emergency Dune Project
• February 13, 2018: Approved $99,860 amendment to Moffatt & Nichol contract for work on FEMA Emergency Dune Project
• May-June 2018: Wilmington Harbor dredging/sand placement on east end
• June 12, 2018: motion to set tax rate at 34 cents with 5 of that earmarked for sand failed; motion to set tax rate at 31 cents with 2 cents earmarked for sand passed
• July 10, 2018: Update from Moffatt & Nichol on all beach projects
• August 14, 2018: Approved scope of work for Moffatt & Nichol re: 2019 / 2020 Beach Nourishment Project (the Turtle Habitat Restoration project, delayed until winter 2020 / 2021)
• September 14, 2018: Hurricane Florence
• January 8, 2019: update from Johnny Martin re: beach projects; approve contract for engineering services (Moffatt & Nichol) for 2019/2020 (now the 2020/2021) FEMA Beach Nourishment Project
• January 22, 2019 (annual retreat): discussed beach nourishment funding methods, no action taken; staff to reach out to Doug Carter again about Municipal Service Districts
• February/March 2019: AIWW crossing dredging/sand placement on west end
• May 14, 2019: update from Moffatt & Nichol re: beach projects
• June 11, 2019: motion to set tax rate at 28 cents, with 3.85 of that earmarked for sand passed
• September 5, 2019: Hurricane Dorian
• November 12, 2019: update from Moffatt & Nichol re: beach projects
• January 13, 2020: consensus from Council to re-bid the 2019/2020 FEMA beach nourishment project for the 2020/2021 season
• March 10, 2020: approved contracting with DEC Associates to consult regarding funding beach nourishment
• May 2020: Corps dredging of the inlet and place sand in an offshore “hot spot” off the west end
• June 2020: contract approved for 2021/2021 beach nourishment – FEMA project approved following Hurricane Matthew in 2016
• June 10, 2020: Approved 28-cent tax rate with 3.85 cents of that rate going toward sand
• August 3-August 4, 2020: Hurricane Isaias
• September-October 2020: Emergency dune push, 68th East to the west end
• November 10, 2020: Presentations from Moffatt & Nichol and DEC on the master plan for beach nourishment and potential funding methods
• Winter 2020/2021: Sand displaced by storm sifted and replaced on beach, starting at Middleton and going west to 30th Place West
• January 2021: Corps of Engineers AIWW crossing dredging project placed sand on west end
• January 29, 2021: action to direct staff to contact the Local Government Commission regarding pursuing special obligation bonds to fund the Town’s portion of the upcoming FEMA beach projects
• February 9, 2021: action to move forward with establishing a Municipal Service District for the purpose of acquiring the special obligation bonds (view the 2/9/21 meeting).
• March 16, 2021: special Council meeting with engineers and DEC Associates to discuss master plan for beach nourishment and funding; Council voted to move forward with funding beach nourishment through assessments in four zones, with the amounts and zone boundaries to be determined (view the 3/16/21 meeting).
• April 6, 2021: the Town Council held a special called meeting, for the purpose of receiving questions and comments regarding the Beach Nourishment Master Plan (view the 4/6/21 meeting).
• April 13, 2021: the Town Council approved the establishment of four (4) Beach Benefit Zones (previously referred to as "Service Districts") to which assessments will be applied (view the 4/13/21 meeting).
• April 23, 2021: During a special called meeting on Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Town Council agreed to delay further decisions on the assessment percentages for the Beach Nourishment Master Plan until January 2022.
• July 14, 2021: During their July 13 regular meeting, the Town Council appointed the members to the Ad Hoc Beach Nourishment Committee. As noted in the original proposal for creating the citizens' advisory committee, its purpose is to "create a mechanism that captures civic engagement" and allows for residents to provide research and input into discussions of future beach nourishment.
• August 30, 2021: Council Approves Two (2) additional meetings of the Ad Hoc Beach Nourishment Committee.
• September 14, 2021: During their regular meeting, the Town Council received the final report from the Ad Hoc Committee for Beach Nourishment. The report was delivered as part of a presentation by Committee Chair, Rick Barry, and detailed the research, findings, and recommendations of the Committee to the Council. Watch the 9/14/21 presentation by the Committee.
• November 16, 2021: It was announced that the Town of Oak Island will receive $20 Million in matched funds from the State of North Carolina, to aid in beach nourishment efforts.
• December 16, 2021: During a special called meeting, the Town Council received a presentation from engineering firm, Moffatt & Nichol, containing an overview of all present and upcoming beach nourishment projects. View the entire 12/16/21 special meeting and presentation.
• December 14, 2021: The Town Council voted unanimously to rescind their previous actions taken on March 16, 2021 and April 13, 2021, regarding funding options. This decision comes as a result of the $20 million in matched funds announced by the state of NC on Number 16, 2021. View the decision during the 12/14/21 meeting.
• January 31, 2022: The Town Council held a special meeting, for the purpose of identifying funding, discussing enforcement, and receiving public input on the Beach Master Plan. View the entire 1/31/22 special meeting.
• February 21, 2022: The Town Council held a special meeting, for the purpose of identifying funding, discussing enforcement, and receiving public input on the Beach Master Plan. View the entire 2/21/22 special meeting.
• March 22, 2022: The Town Council held a third special meeting, in which the Council was presented with three (3) funding models to pursue for the Beach Master Plan. View the entire 3/22/22 special meeting.
• April 12, 2022: During their regular meeting, the Town Council voted to approve the Option 1 model for funding the Beach Master Plan, which was presented to them on March 22 special meeting. View this portion of the 4/12/22 regular meeting.

In July 2022, the NC Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) adopted new regulations that repealed the ability for coastal communities to utilize a "Development Line" as the setback measurement line for beachfront development. Going forward, in order to allow for regulatory flexibility for oceanfront construction setbacks, towns will need a Beach Management Plan approved by the CRC, that demonstrates a local commitment to maintaining beach nourishment projects.

In August of 2022, the Town Council approved a contract with engineering firm, Moffatt & Nichol to assist the Town in preparing a plan. this plan was submitted to the CRC, who approved it on June 15, 2023 with an effective date of July 22.

Final Agency Decision(PDF, 368KB)

• As a result, the 60’ setback for beachfront properties is measured from the first line of natural and stable vegetation. In addition, houses cannot be any further seaward than the most landward adjacent house. This is determined by the rooflines/overhangs of the adjacent houses. Exceptions allowed in the 60’ setback such as detached decking, pools, etc. (each with their own set of restrictions) are allowed seaward of adjacent houses.

Following are links to the CRC Beach Management Plan and its four Appendices, which were approved by the CRC:

• Beach Management Plan(PDF, 14MB)
• Appendix A(PDF, 14MB)
• Appendix B(PDF, 13MB)
• Appendix C(PDF, 21MB)
• Appendix D(PDF, 8MB)

Program History

July 22, 2023:The Town's CRC Beach Management Plan went into effect.

June 15, 2023: The CRC Beach Management Plan was approved by the the NC Coastal Resources Commission (CRC).

April 13, 2023: During a Special Called meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve the Beach Management Plan at the recommended level of 1.359M cubic yards, at a projected cost of $33M, and to direct Moffat & Nichols and staff to submit the plan to the NC Coastal Resources Commission.

• View the CRC Beach Management Plan Presentation(PDF, 1MB)
• Watch video of the Special Called Meeting

March 14, 2023: During the Town Council's regular meeting, Council will consider of a proposed Beach Management Plan to be Submitted to the Coastal Resources Commission

October 4, 2022: During the Town Council's regular meeting, Council voted to postpone the decision to approve a Beach Management Plan for 100 days, to allow for closer review the plan proposed by Moffatt and Nichol. If Council decides to approve the plan after the 100 days, then it could be presented at the next CRC meeting, potentially on April 27, 2023.

August 16, 2022: During the Town Council's regular meeting, a presentation was given by engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, outlaying the impacts from the Coast Resources Commission (CRC) ruling, and possible response actions from the Town. Council approved a contract with engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol for preparation of a Beach Management Plan necessitated by the CRC's adoption of rules repealing the Development Line. View the initial CRC rules change notification letter.

Initial Notice

August 8, 2022: A recent rule change from the State’s Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) affects oceanfront development on Oak Island:

On July 21st, the North Carolina Rules Review Commission approved the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission’s (CRC) proposed repeal of the Development Line and subsequent rule changes to beach front development under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) program. These regulatory changes went into effect August 1st and apply to any permits applied for on or after this date.

As a result of the Development Line removal, the CRC is reverting back to the pre-project vegetation line (previously known as the "1998 static line") for the most seaward point for ocean front development. CAMA setbacks will be measured 60 feet landward from the more restrictive of the two lines: the pre-project line, or the first line of stable and natural vegetation as it exists at the time of development. No principal structures will be allowed within the 60’ setback.

The CRC’s new beachfront development rules do allow for the potential that the Town may develop a Beach Management Plan (previously known as a Static Line Exception). Once approved by the CRC, this plan allows for regulatory flexibility for oceanfront construction setbacks where beach communities demonstrate a local commitment to maintaining beach nourishment projects. In order for this plan to be approved, the Town is required to develop a long-term (minimum of 30 years) beach maintenance plan. The plan also must address anticipated maintenance event volume triggers and schedules, long-term sand needs, and annual monitoring protocols, as well as identification of financial resources and/or funding sources necessary to fund these long-term nourishment activities. It is anticipated that the long-term nourishment plan the Town and our engineers, Moffatt and Nichol, have been working on for the last two years will provide sufficient information for the development of the Beach Management Plan.

It is important to note that as CAMA is a state-run program, these rule changes were proposed and approved at the state level. The Town of Oak Island recognizes the potential hardships these new rules can present for beachfront property owners and is actively working with the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) to obtain approval of a Beach Management Plan. Once the Town has a Beach Management Plan in place (i.e. approved by the CRC), setbacks would be measured from the vegetation line at the time of development, and not the more restrictive setback that would be measured from the Pre-Project Line (subject to a “no farther seaward than adjacent neighboring structure” provision). Any questions or concerns regarding these rule changes can be relayed to DCM and the area DCM Field Representative, Patrick Amico at 910-796-7425.

During the August 16 Town Council meeting, Doug Huggett and Sam Morrison from Moffatt and Nichol presented options moving forward in applying for the Town’s Beach Management Plan. Download the 8/16/22 presentation materials(PDF, 3MB).

Beach Nourishment is defined by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as "the adding of sediment onto or directly adjacent to an eroding beach."

In Oak Island, this is typically seen in the process of "dredge" ships just offshore, which scoop u sand from the ocean floor, and send it through pipes onto the beach areas. From there, heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators move the sand and help shape the profile of the beach and surrounding sand dunes or berms.

Depending on the amount of sand to be moved, the process can usually take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Other than emergency erosion repair following a natural disaster such as a Hurricane, most all Beach Nourishment Projects are performed during the less busy seasons of Winter and early Spring.

As the USACE also notes, "a wide, nourished beach system absorbs wave energy, protects upland areas from flooding, and mitigates erosion. The beach provides a buffer between storm waves and landward areas, and it can prevent destructive waves from reaching the dunes and upland developments. When sediment is naturally moved offshore from a nourished beach, it causes waves to break farther from the shoreline, which weakens their energy before reaching the shore."

Preforming beach nourishment at regular intervals has the same benefits as a maintenance schedule for any manmade or natural feature. It helps to enhance the accessibility to all, while also preserving property and a natural habitat for the plants and animals that call the dunes system "home."

Sand dunes and berms serve a vital role in the protection of people, wildlife, and both natural and man-made features. These are protected places, and should be treated with care and respect.

To help preserve the sand dunes and berms, which in turn preserve our way of life, please use only the designated walkways, pathways, and Beach Access Locations provided by the Town

Note: Walking, running, playing, climbing, or any other traffic of any kind on, or across the sand dunes and berms, except in designated access areas is prohibited.

For complete information, along with an interactive map of all designated walkways, pathways, and Beach Access Locations, visit the Beach Access Information page.

This page presents information related to the sand dunes found on the beach areas of Oak Island, including information on the requirements and enforcement for dune preservation.

What is a Dune?

Sand dunes are geologic features located between the ocean / beach and any man-made development (homes, businesses, etc.). There are actually several ways to define just what a dune is; but regardless of how it is defined, all dunes serve a similar purpose of helping to protect nature, development, and people. Much more than just "piles of sand," dunes have been proven to provide protection to coastal areas from waves and erosion from severe storms (such as hurricanes).

As with almost every beach in the world, the dunes here on Oak Island are in a constant state of change. Hurricanes, construction, and normal wind erosion all work to constantly reshape what we see today.

Note: Many places on this website will use the term "Sand Berms" when referring to areas that may seem like dunes. According to the regulations provided to the Town from the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, beach berms are long narrow ridges of loose material (in this case, sand), which do not have vegetation. Regardless of the term used, both of these features should be treated with respect, and used only in the appropriate methods outlined on this page.

Our responsibility as Town residents and visitors, is to help ensure these features don't experience negative impacts from human interaction.

Preservation

Sand dunes and berms serve a vital role in the protection of people, wildlife, and both natural and man-made features. These are protected places, and should be treated with care and respect.

To help preserve the sand dunes and berms, which in turn preserve our way of life, please use only the designated walkways, pathways, and Beach Access Locations provided by the Town.

Note: Walking, running, playing, climbing, or any other traffic of any kind on, or across the sand dunes and berms, except in designated access areas is prohibited.

• View all Beach & Water Access Locations

Enforcement

Dune protection is provided under section 14 of the Town Code of Ordinances. Violation of these rules can result in warnings, and even citations with fines starting at $100 for the first offense, $200.00 for the second offense, and escalating to a criminal offense after second violation at the officer's discretion.

The ordinance is enforced by the Oak Island Police Department through its officers and Beach Services Unit (BSU) staff.

Note: To report dune, parking, or beach safety violations as they happen, please call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number 910-253-7490 to have police officers or BSU staff respond.

Protection & Recovery

One of the unfortunate facts of being perfectly situated along the coastline of the Carolinas is that damage from major storms is an ever-present threat. A hurricane, nor'easter, or even strong thunderstorms can cause severe damage to the precious, vital defense the dunes provide. The Town utilizes a number of resources to prevent and rebuild from damage due to storms or other emergency events.

Beach Nourishment is pivotal in helping to prevent further impacts to property and wildlife, by increasing the total volume sand available on the beach and in the dunes. The process uses dredge pumps and pipeline to add sediment onto eroded beach areas, while also building the dunes height and / or mass. This process allows sand to shift and move with waves and currents.

Sand Sifting & Redistribution is a process that works to rebuild dunes that have been damaged or destroyed by storms or other emergency events. Following the impacts of Hurricane Isaias in August 2020, the Town immediately began an emergency dune push, to temporarily rebuild the dunes which had been completely destroyed by the storm.

The remaining sand that was washed onto the streets, was then collected into large piles. From there, storm debris was sifted from the sand, which was then redistributed back onto the beach. The entire project lasted from mid November 2020, to late February 2021. Following is a time-lapse video showing two months of the sifting process:

Resources & Partner Organizations

The Town utilizes several public-private partnerships with local civic and non-profit organizations, to help ensure our dunes and beaches stay health and clean. If you would like to learn more about the dunes or the beaches themselves, as well as the wildlife they help protect, just visit any of the following resources:

• Oak Island Beach Preservation Society
• Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection Program
• The Dune Book by the NC Sea Grant (NC State University)
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA)
• NC Division of Coastal Management (Wilmington Office)