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Nags Head planning board hears timeline for Harvey living‑shoreline and upcoming beach‑nourishment workshop
Summary
Deputy Director Joe Costello reported schematic designs for the Harvey living‑shoreline are approved by the tourism board, a pre‑application meeting and state official visit are scheduled, and staff will present post‑storm survey results and financing options at a Dec. 17 workshop to help the commissioners decide on the next nourishment project.
Nags Head staff told the planning board on Nov. 18 that schematic designs for the Harvey living‑shoreline site are complete and moving toward permitting and construction, and that the town will present survey and financing options to the Board of Commissioners at a Dec. 17 workshop to inform decisions on the next beach‑nourishment project.
Deputy Director Joe Costello said the tourism board has approved the Harvey design and that the town has incorporated public and stakeholder feedback into the plans. Costello said the town has a pre‑application meeting scheduled and expects to be under contract with a construction contractor by the end of June, with on‑the‑ground construction tentatively planned for the fall of next year. He also said Secretary Reed Wilson of the Department of Environmental Quality is scheduled to visit the project next week.
On design choices, staff said the town intends to use rock sills — structures of locally sourced stone placed with containment elements — rather than some proprietary artificial reef products, citing long‑term maintenance and replaceability as deciding factors.
Board members used the session to press staff on sand movement, survey timing and how the town will structure the contract. Costello said the town completed a post‑storm survey in addition to a summer survey to give the commissioners the most current information before selecting a scope. The town put the project out to bid and received three responsive bids. The bid package includes optional alternates in 100,000‑cubic‑yard increments; staff said each 100,000‑cubic‑yard alternate represents roughly $1 million and the commissioners will decide whether to accept alternates based on survey results and funding.
Funding is a major factor. Staff described local financing as a mix of a dedicated town tax (about two cents of the tax rate earmarked for beach nourishment), municipal service district (MSD) levies that vary by geography (oceanfront and South Nags Head taxed at higher rates) and county occupancy‑tax contributions; town staff estimated these local taxes generate roughly $3 million per year (about $18 million over a six‑year planning horizon). Costello also noted the towns have historically received FEMA assistance for post‑storm sand replacement and that state grant funding has mainly supported project design rather than construction.
Dredging method and timing will depend on the sand location and contractor availability; staff noted a small number of large national contractors do most coastal nourishment projects and the type of dredge (hopper vs. cutterhead) depends on offshore sand location.
What’s next: Town staff will present the latest survey and a financial briefing at a Board of Commissioners workshop on Dec. 17; the commissioners are expected to make final funding and contracting decisions in January.
