HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-10 Minutes
Access 2, 17Sept2024 HLB
18Sept2024 PostTS8, DRGFall 2023 DRG
Port, Waterway, & Beach Commission Meeting
December 10th, 2025
North end of
Carolina Beach
12/8/25
Notes/Discussion: Vice-Chair Neal Andrew opened meeting and led introductions. 11/12/25 meeting minutes approved
(David Kellum motion, Jay Healy seconded). Karen Mosteller (Southport Board of Alderman) and Noah Saldo (Southport City
Manager) provided hard copies of the City of Southport Resolution #25-1202.01 in relation to Cape Fear River Harbor 403
Project. An electronic copy will be attached to the PWBC summary email. Jay Healy stated importance of looking at the project
carefully, specifically the potential impacts to the aquifers. Karen Mosteller elaborated on Southport’s concerns, specifically the
proposed mitigation associated with the project and lack of mitigation funding. It was asked if a US Army Corps of Engineers
representative could attend a future PWBC meeting to discuss the project and answer questions.
•Pre-placement survey showed a volume shortage of ~300,000cy at Carolina Beach and shortage of ~100,000cy
at Kure Beach to build to full template
•On 11/14 USACE officially requested an additional $500,000 non-federal funds for both Carolina Beach and
Kure Beach ($1M total) to cover volume shortage as well as Kure Beach stormwater outfall modifications
•NHC provided the additional nonfederal funds and will continue to work with NCDWR about the potential
for the state to pick up 50% of the additional nonfederal funds provided
•Total funds provided as of today:
•Norfolk started beach work shortly after environmental window opened on November 16 th and began
pumping the weekend of November 23rd
•Currently working in the area of the Periwinkle Ln Public Access at the north end of Carolina Beach
•Sand Placement Tracker: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/309bcbf9e63c40a8aa96791332e6a0ec
Carolina Beach and Kure Beach FY26 Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM)
Notes/Discussion: Additional nonfederal county funds came through the Room Occupancy Tax (ROT) which is the
typical funding mechanism for the local share of CSRM projects.
Looking N at Periwinkle Access
on 12/4/25
Surfchex screenshot from
12/10/25
Notes/Discussion: Blue arrow indicates same beach access for reference.
Feb 27
Carolina Beach Inlet Maintenance Dredging
•NC Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) submitted paperwork to transfer the budgeted total funds ($1.01M) to the
USACE for FY26 CB Inlet maintenance dredging
•Same funding level as previous years ($262,000 local funds w/ $787,500 state funds)
•USACE is planning for a Merritt event at the end of the month
•Preliminary plan is December 27 –January 5
USACE Survey
10/9, 10/17 10/30
Notes/Discussion:
Mason Inlet Relocation Project
•Davey Resource Group is finalizing Mason Inlet
2025 Waterbird Management Area Report
•Refresher –
•2025 Physical Monitoring Report by GBA
findings:
•Spring survey results showed
333,340cy within MIRP template
•Noticeable southern migration of
northern channel bank (Stations
7+00 to 15+00)
•Given current shape, location of
inlet, and volume within template, a
2026/2027 maintenance project is
predicted
MIRP Spring
2025 Report
by GBA
Notes/Discussion:
USACE FY26 AIWW Maintenance Contract (Mason Inlet and Carolina Beach Inlet AIWW Crossings)
•Southwind began dredging at Browns Inlet shortly after environmental window opened on 11/16
•Awaiting After Dredge (AD) survey results to hopefully be completed by end of week
•If AD results clear, then mobilization to Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing would begin
•Preliminary schedule estimates roughly 2-3 weeks of dredging (Christmas Break from Dec. 22 –Dec. 29)
•Given that USACE contract is using the County’s Mason Inlet Relocation Project (MIRP) authorizations for placement on
Figure 8 Island, the County authorized GBA to gather pre and post survey data (hydrographic and placement area) to
ensure compatibility with County’s historic MIRP data set and ensure permit conditions are met
•Once Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing is complete, next stop if Carolina Beach Inlet Crossing and Snow’s Cut
8/26/25
USACE
Survey of
Mason Inlet
Crossing
Notes/Discussion: Mason Inlet AIWW Crossing is County responsibility due to federal permit conditions tied to the
Mason Inlet Relocation Project. The Carolina Beach Inlet AIWW Crossing and Snow’s Cut is federal responsibility.
Shoreline Mapping Program
•At the November PWBC meeting Sue Bulluck asked about the possibility for Shoreline Mapping Program to be
publicly available in some form
•File copies of complete County Shoreline Mapping Program are given each year to Figure 8 Island, Wrightsville Beach,
Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and USACE
•A shortened, bullet proof summary of key findings and figures may be beneficial for towns to display as they see fit
•Easy for public to read and interpret
•May dispel rumors or misunderstood information
•Drastically reduced file size
•PWBC thoughts?
Monitoring Period Volume Loss (cy)Percent of Fill Lost
2022-2023 -242,315 31.24%
2023-2024 -195,055 25.14%
2024-2025 -82,055 10.58%
2025-2026 N/A N/A
2022-2026 Losses =-519,425 66.96%
KURE BEACH 2022 CSDR PROJECT = 775,724 cy
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CB - North 1-5CB - Central 6-8CB - Central 9-16CB - South 17-23
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CAROLINA BEACH -NOURISHMENT TRIGGERS (25-Yr Level of Protection)
2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
278 cy/ft
331 cy/ft
293 cy/ft
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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KB - North 1-6KB - Central 7-10KB - South 11-17KB - South 18-21
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KURE BEACH -NOURISHMENT TRIGGERS (25-Yr Level of Protection)
2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
281 cy/ft 285 cy/ft
260 cy/ft
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Monitoring Period Volume Loss (cy)Percent of Fill Lost
2022-2023 -377,727 33.30%
2023-2024 -213,372 18.81%
2024-2025 -119,323 10.52%
2025-2026 N/A N/A
2022-2026 Losses =-710,422 62.63%
CAROLINA BEACH 2022 CSDR PROJECT = 1,134,276 cy
Notes/Discussion: Discussion about how a very short, brief summary of the Shoreline Mapping Report may be
beneficial for the public and for the Towns to use to answer public questions. New Hanover County will continue to
work with Moffatt & Nichol to come up with a draft to share with the PWBC at a future meeting.
Next Meeting: January 14th
Public Comment/Open Discussion
Notes/Discussion: Vice-Chair Neal Andrew adjourned meeting.