Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Beach Nourishment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nags Head outlines 2026 beach nourishment schedule, environmental protections; approves monitoring contract
Summary
Town staff and engineers presented the 2026 beach nourishment plan — two dredges working May–early July, targeted additional 200,000 cubic yards, nightly turtle monitoring and sediment sampling — and the board authorized a $71,980 post‑nourishment survey contract with McKim & Creed.
Engineers and the contractor for Nags Head’s 2026 beach nourishment project told the Board of Commissioners on April 1 that work will begin with shore‑side mobilization April 19 and in‑water pipeline installation starting April 23, with dredging operations planned May 4 through about July 6.
The town will operate two dredges concurrently: a hopper dredge (Weeks Marine’s Magdalene) focused in northern reaches and a hydraulic/cutter dredge (RS Weeks) operating in the south to speed completion. Staff said the contractor may finish earlier than the current July 6 contingency if weather allows. The contract includes a 200,000‑cubic‑yard add‑alternate that project managers will place where a preconstruction beach survey identifies the greatest need.
Town engineering lead David and consulting project manager Dr. Beth Shidone Nickel described the public‑safety and environmental measures that will accompany 24/7 work zones: daytime active closures of roughly 1,500–2,000 feet of beach and nighttime closures of about 1,000 feet, sand ramps at public accesses every 500 feet where safe access can be provided, and daily work‑area updates on the town’s website and progress map. The presentation emphasized coordination with the National Park Service for ramp and access uses and with N.C. Department of Transportation for outfalls and traffic control.
Because the project occurs during sea‑turtle nesting season, staff said nightly turtle monitors will work at both dredge work areas and a morning clearance survey will be performed before operations. The contractor and town will conduct visual daily sediment monitoring and weekly laboratory sampling to verify material compatibility; compaction monitoring and post‑project beach tilling are planned if needed to restore nestable substrate. The contractor will also perform turtle relocations and turtle‑safety trolling near hopper operations to reduce risks.
Following the presentation, the board voted to authorize the town manager to execute a post‑nourishment beach monitoring contract with McKim & Creed for $71,980. Town staff said the post‑construction survey will help finalize where the additional material is placed, document the pre/post template for FEMA eligibility and guide dune planting and sand‑fence work planned through July.
The town also adopted a resolution directing application to the Local Government Commission for approval of a special obligation bond related to capital spending tied to shoreline and other projects; the resolution passed by voice vote. Project leaders emphasized that mobilization and some pipeline/staging activities could require intermittent closures and urged residents to consult the town’s daily map and email updates for location‑specific impacts.
What happens next: preconstruction cultural and beach surveys by NV5 are imminent, shore pipe installation and dredge mobilization are scheduled for late April, and daily updates and a weekly progress meeting at town hall will track operations and environmental monitoring.
