Brunswick County to front local match for Lockwood Folly inlet dredging; project set for late June or July

Brunswick County commissioners on May 19 authorized staff to pay the full local match for a state‑funded dredging project at the Lockwood Folly inlet so the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can use an available side‑caster dredge this summer.

The county presentation said the Corps surveyed the inlet and proposes dredging the channel to a depth of 8 feet inside the dredge box. The recommended contract uses a side‑caster dredge (not a pipeline dredge); county staff described a side‑caster as a vessel that “scoops” material and places it to either side rather than pumping sand onto the beaches.

According to staff, the total project price is $744,500. The state (N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, shallow‑draft inlet fund) will pay roughly 75% of the cost; the local match is $186,125. Brunswick County staff recommended that the county pay the entire local match up front to meet the Corps’ schedule and then seek reimbursement from the two coastal towns that historically share the remaining local cost: Oak Island and Holden Beach. Under the historical split staff described, Brunswick County’s share of the local match would be $93,062 and Oak Island and Holden Beach would each cover about $46,531.

Staff said Oak Island had not yet given a firm yes but Holden Beach was on board. Commissioners were told the work could be scheduled in late June or July if the county proceeds; the Corps’ available operational dredge named in the discussion was a side‑caster called the Merit.

Commissioners asked where the county would draw the local match; staff answered the county has a reserve set aside for these projects and has sufficient funds to pay the match now. A motion to approve the staff recommendation passed with commissioners voting in the affirmative.

The action authorizes the county to pay the full $186,125 local match for the Lockwood Folly inlet dredging and to seek reimbursement from Oak Island and Holden Beach. The county will coordinate scheduling with the Corps to use the side‑caster dredge during the window discussed.

The county presentation noted that a pipeline dredge and a hopper dredge were not available because of repairs or other deployments, which is why the Corps was offering a side‑caster for this work.

Commissioners did not alter the staff recommendation during the public meeting; follow‑up will include formal billing and reimbursement arrangements with Oak Island and Holden Beach and coordination with the Corps and N.C. DEQ on the final schedule and permitting.