Nags Head's beach replenishment project, which was completed in 2011, and was the first of its kind on the Outer Banks, made this year's list of best in the nation by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
The town was one of several chosen from similar projects on both the east and west coasts of the United States as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
From May to October 2011, Nags Head dredged 4.6 million cubic yards from offshore to rebuild 10 miles of beach at a cost of $36 million. The project was financed entirely by the town and Dare County funds, and the ASBPA said it has become a model for projects considered by other Dare County towns.
"Several years ago, with no federal or state financial assistance on the horizon, our community was at a crossroads," Nags Head Mayor Bob Oakes said in a press release from the town. "Erosion was causing homes to wash into the ocean all too frequently. We had to take action one way or the other to protect our future, and we did."
The beach is now wide and full of activity on each summer day. To take a look at the beach live take a look at this webcam showing Jeannette's Pier, and area central to the replenishment project.
Last month, Dare County commissioners approved a 1% increase in the local occupancy tax in the area to help fund future projects on the Outer Banks. The towns of Duck, and Kill Devil Hills are rapidly moving towards implementing their own projects, and the town of Kitty Hawk is now considering such a project due to the possibility of future funding through this new tax.
All the best from the beach!
The town was one of several chosen from similar projects on both the east and west coasts of the United States as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
From May to October 2011, Nags Head dredged 4.6 million cubic yards from offshore to rebuild 10 miles of beach at a cost of $36 million. The project was financed entirely by the town and Dare County funds, and the ASBPA said it has become a model for projects considered by other Dare County towns.
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| Picture of dredging operation from 2011 |
"Several years ago, with no federal or state financial assistance on the horizon, our community was at a crossroads," Nags Head Mayor Bob Oakes said in a press release from the town. "Erosion was causing homes to wash into the ocean all too frequently. We had to take action one way or the other to protect our future, and we did."
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| Bulldozer moving piping during 2011 project |
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| Recent picture of the wide beach looking south from Jeannete's Pier |
Last month, Dare County commissioners approved a 1% increase in the local occupancy tax in the area to help fund future projects on the Outer Banks. The towns of Duck, and Kill Devil Hills are rapidly moving towards implementing their own projects, and the town of Kitty Hawk is now considering such a project due to the possibility of future funding through this new tax.
All the best from the beach!
By Tim Cafferty, President, Outer Banks Blue Realty Services
