Emerald Isle orders restoration after dune damage at 3405 Ocean Drive; stop‑work order issued

The Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners on April 14 heard residents describe recent destruction of dunes at 3405 Ocean Drive and ordered restoration after town staff confirmed regulatory violations.

At the start of public comment, Joel Dunn urged the town to find ways to prevent leveling of dune systems and called for consideration of a ban on mass balloon releases that he said pollute offshore areas. Dwayne McDougal urged the town to hire dedicated code enforcement personnel and said he has documented ongoing violations. Michael Westbrook raised related access and parking problems at Dear Horn Drive.

Town Manager Frank Rush told the board the town had identified two violations tied to the 3405 Ocean Drive site: one under the town’s dune and vegetation protection ordinance and another under state coastal management regulations. "A stop work order has been issued," Rush said, and the town is coordinating with state officials on a restoration plan. He said the damaged dune must be fully restored and re‑vegetated before a certificate of occupancy is granted and that fines will be imposed.

Mayor Pro‑Tem Jason Holland later called the incident "shocking and unacceptable," and Commissioner Alesia Sanderson apologized to affected property owners and said the town is acting to ensure repair happens promptly. Commissioner Roy Brownlow urged consideration of increased enforcement capacity, noting existing staffing limits.

The board did not take separate formal action beyond recording the enforcement steps described by staff; the town’s next steps include finalizing the restoration plan with state partners and imposing fines as allowed by ordinance and state rules.

The town’s written follow‑ups to public comments are available on the town website.