Nags Head board endorses scaled, property-focused approach to estuarine shoreline plan

The Nags Head Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 endorsed a revised approach to the town’s Estuary and Shoreline Management Plan that moves away from large offshore breakwaters and toward smaller, more implementable living-shoreline features and a resiliency berm pilot on town-owned property.

Deputy Planning Director Joe Costello described work at the Harvey access and the Nags Head Woods Preserve, saying the Harvey site plans “are progressing to the permit application stage” and that staff is planning nearshore marsh sills and about 260 feet of sand re‑nourishment where historically appropriate. He told the board the offshore-island breakwater concept would cost roughly $5 million and likely be difficult to permit because of fill and SAV impacts.

“Given the overall cost, the low permitting feasibility, the long-term maintenance challenges and the potential impacts to adjacent properties,” Joe said, staff recommended hiring a consultant to engage property owners and design a permit‑friendly, cost‑effective alternative. After discussion, a commissioner moved to pursue the town‑property pilot and focus RCCP funds on a resiliency berm alternative; an amendment narrowing the action to the RCCP‑funded berm was incorporated and the motion passed by voice vote.

Why it matters: the change redirects limited RCCP grant funds toward interventions staff judges more likely to receive permits and deliver local habitat and erosion benefits while reducing the risk of costly, hard‑to‑permit offshore construction. Joe said a revised program would emphasize property‑owner engagement and could be incorporated into a broader stormwater master plan.

What’s next: staff expects to submit permits for the Harvey site in the coming week, bid later in the spring and seek a construction contract by June with construction occurring after the summer moratorium. The board asked staff to return with program details and property‑owner outreach plans.

Quote: “We did hear from residents there’s a lot of stormwater issues along Soundside Road,” Joe said, and staff recommended “a path forward to do a revised resiliency berm, engage the property owners in that section, and…incorporate the shoreline protection element with a larger stormwater master plan.”

The board’s endorsement was recorded as a voice vote; the motion to endorse the revised approach was moved and seconded and then approved. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.