Surf City seals long-term beach protection deal with Army Corps

Surf City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a long-term beach protection agreement covering sand placement, dunes, recurring nourishment and construction plans.

Surf City seals long-term beach protection deal with Army Corps

Surf City officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have formalized a long-awaited partnership to protect the town’s six-mile oceanfront. The agreement clears the way for a federally funded coastal storm risk management project that will widen portions of the beach, build dunes and support recurring nourishment for the next 50 years.

Key takeaways

  • The project will initially place about 6.5 million cubic yards of sand along Surf City’s shoreline.
  • Portions of the beach are expected to become roughly 50 feet wider.
  • Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2028 and finish in spring 2029.
  • The Corps plans to renourish the beach every six years for five decades.

A milestone decades in the making

The signing ceremony took place Aug. 17 near the Surf City Ocean Pier, drawing town officials, congressional representatives, community members and Army Corps personnel. Mayor Teresa Batts described the agreement as the result of years of persistence through delays and additional federal reviews.

The project traces its origins to a 2000 congressional authorization for a feasibility study covering Surf City and neighboring North Topsail Beach. North Topsail withdrew from the effort in 2021, prompting further review focused on Surf City. A provision in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 later directed the Corps to accelerate work on a project-specific report.

Sand, dunes and storm protection

The planned beach will include a new berm and dune system intended to absorb wave energy and reduce damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure behind the shoreline. The initial sand placement is expected to reshape parts of the beach and provide a wider buffer against hurricanes and other coastal storms.

Surf City, located on a barrier island, remains exposed to the Atlantic’s full force. Hurricane Florence in 2018 damaged beach structures and infrastructure along the coast, underscoring the risks officials say the project is designed to address.

Corps officials said the project is intended to reduce storm damage over the long term, with success measured not only in avoided repair costs but also in protecting residences, businesses and local tourism.

Federal funding opens the construction phase

In June, the Corps’ Wilmington District received authorization to use more than $292 million in previously appropriated funds from the Disaster Relief Act of 2019. The agreement signed Monday allows the project to move from planning into construction preparation.

Officials expect to seek bids for the initial work in fall 2027. Construction is projected to last about 16 months, with completion around spring 2029.

Music marks the celebration

The ceremony ended on a lighter note when Batts performed “Sand Money, Honey,” a song she wrote with help from artificial intelligence after learning the project had received the necessary federal approval.

The performance reflected the town’s relief and enthusiasm after more than 20 years of planning. Beyond the celebration, officials emphasized that the agreement establishes a continuing commitment: engineers are expected to monitor the shoreline and return about every six years to replenish sand throughout the project’s 50-year life.

Sources