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Board backs request for $1.5 million state appropriation to shore 1 Cheese marine park
Summary
Dare County commissioners agreed to ask the legislature to appropriate $1.5 million to close a funding gap for a fully permitted living-shoreline project at the 1 Cheese Marine Industrial Park; the board authorized a pass-through arrangement and approved the request unanimously.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted May 4 to ask the North Carolina legislature for $1.5 million to cover a shortfall in funding for a fully permitted living-shoreline project at the 1 Cheese Marine Industrial Park.
Bob Peel outlined the problem: approximately 2,500 linear feet of shoreline facing Broad Creek is eroding, and at the southern end the loss is about 2 feet per year. "It's scary how we are losing shoreline," Peel said, and added that the project would install a living-shoreline structure that provides fish habitat and reduces wave energy. He told the board the project is fully permitted and designed and that a federal appropriation of $2.6 million covers most of the roughly $3.0 million cost, leaving a local shortfall the county could help close.
Peel asked the commissioners to submit a legislative request for $1.5 million as a pass-through so the county would receive the appropriation and pass it to the Department of Commerce and the 1 Cheese Marine Park to allow construction to proceed. Lexia Weaver (Sea & Shoreline), the project's technical partner, answered questions about docks, oyster recruitment and habitat planting, noting the design will avoid blocking the main boat ramp and expects oysters to colonize the installed structure.
A motion to authorize the county to submit the appropriation request and handle pass-through arrangements carried unanimously. The board directed staff to prepare the necessary letters, agreements and indemnities for the chairman's signature.
Why it matters: the industrial park is an economic hub for local marine industries; accelerating restoration will protect infrastructure and commercial access while creating habitat. The board's support advances a project that staff described as ready to construct pending funding.
Next steps: staff will prepare the legislative request and an agreement for the chairman—s signature and work with project partners on implementation after funds are secured.
