Every few years, beach nourishment is the talk of the Outer Banks, with lots of good and valid questions flying around.  Since 2022 is a nourishment year, we thought we’d delve into some of the more commonly asked questions, with the help of Dare County:

1. What is beach nourishment, and how is it done?

2. Why is periodic beach nourishment necessary, and how often is it done?

3. How will it affect my property (or, at least, my vacation)?

4. Why does nourishment have to be done in the summertime?

5. Isn’t there a more permanent solution?

6. What about plant and aquatic life?

Q1:  First and foremost, what IS beach nourishment, anyway?  How is it done?

A1:  The National Park Service defines beach nourishment as the process of placing additional sediment on a beach or near the seashore.  There are several different dredging methods, but the one most commonly employed on the Outer Banks involves the pumping of sand from near- or off-shore, and can come from sites such as sandbars, dredged inlets or waterways, or an offshore borrow site.  The sand is pumped through pipelines, the ends of which you will see laid parallel to the shoreline of each nourishment zone.  The new sand is distributed along the shoreline using heavy equipment.

Q2:  Why is periodic beach nourishment necessary, and how often is it done?

A2:   In short, beach nourishment is done to help prevent situations like this:

All of us who know and love the Outer Banks are familiar (sometimes devastatingly so) with the fragility of our environment. Periodic beach nourishment creates a broader buffer zone between the Atlantic Ocean and the adjacent highways and property. Nourishment provides the added benefit of wider beaches for both humans and animals to enjoy. Under normal circumstances, beach nourishment projects are designed to last approximately five years. Of course, mother nature doesn’t like to follow timelines, so additional maintenance may be necessary after periods of heavy hurricane or nor’easter activity.

Q3:  How will beach nourishment affect my property (or, at least, my vacation)?

A3:  For property owners within Dare County and/or the towns within, beach nourishment projects require an easement so that related activities can take place.  According to the County, “the easement is solely for the purpose of constructing and maintaining the project. It does not convey your property to Dare County or change your ability to access the ocean or use the property as you currently do, except in limited instances during the construction phase of the project.” 

For our Dare County property owner clients and friends, be sure to check with the County (and/or your respective town) if you have questions or to obtain more details on how beach nourishment affects you as an owner.

For our friends who vacation in Dare County, fear not…you can still enjoy your stay!  Be aware, though, that if active construction operations are taking place within 1,000 feet of your chosen beach access, you may need to move to an alternate access.  You never know, you might discover a portion of the beach you never knew existed!

Q4: Why does beach nourishment have to be done in the summer, while everyone is trying to vacation?

A4:  Great question!  The Outer Banks is pretty much perfect in the summertime:  the breezes are light and the water is calm.  It just so happens that these conditions are ideal for dredging, too.   

Q5:  Isn’t there a more permanent solution, like a seawall or jetty?

A5:  In 2003, the North Carolina General Assembly voted unanimously to adopt a ban of hard structures, such as seawalls, throughout the state.  Because other methods of erosion control, such as artificial reefs, are also not approved for use in North Carolina, beach nourishment is currently the only tool at our disposal.

Q6:  What about local plant and aquatic life?  How will they be protected during the project and beyond?

A6:  To help protect aquatic life, particularly, sea turtles and other endangered species, both onshore and offshore work sites will be subject to strict monitoring.  Any sea turtle nests found within an active project site will be relocated by authorized personnel.  As far as plant life, beach grass will be planted along the dune lines after the projects are complete, which will help stabilize and protect the newly-nourished beaches.

Are there any questions you have about beach nourishment that weren’t answered here?  Feel free to share them in the comments and we’ll do our best to get them addressed for you!