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Nonprofit seeks county support to pursue grant for Tyson Point living‑shoreline
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Summary
The North County Coastal Federation presented a preliminary living‑shoreline design to protect Tyson Point (Jordan Creek primary nursery area) and asked the county to consider a letter of support or to serve as applicant for state Division of Water Resources grants (local projects typically capped near $200,000); no county funds were requested at the meeting.
A nonprofit coastal restoration group asked the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners to consider supporting a proposed living‑shoreline project at Tyson Point, an island at the mouth of Jordan Creek that shelters a designated primary nursery area for fisheries.
Todd Miller, senior adviser with the North County Coastal Federation, described dramatic erosion at Tyson Point and presented a preliminary offshore breakwater design intended to allow marsh regrowth and restore shoreline stability. Miller said similar projects in the region have improved fish habitat and encouraged oyster recruitment; the owner of the property, identified in the packet, intends to sign a conservation easement and not develop the land.
Miller said state funding is available through the Division of Water Resources and other programs and that local governments can apply for grants for projects of this type (he cited typical local‑government award amounts up to about $200,000). The nonprofit asked the county to consider endorsing or allowing the Mideast Commission or the county to be the applicant; the presenter offered to provide most of the application materials and to help administer the grant if awarded.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about location, fishing access and proximity to public landings. No appropriation was requested or approved at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to explore whether the county or the Mideast Commission should be the primary applicant and to return with a recommendation.
Next steps: staff to research applicant eligibility and draft a possible letter of support for the board to consider.
