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Kure Beach committee told Corps will deliver projected sand but about four blocks may not be replenished
Summary
The town’s renourishment project is expected to finish by April 2026, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told town officials that erosion since the last survey means roughly four blocks will not receive sand; committee members raised questions about pipe upgrades and dune replanting responsibilities.
The Kure Beach Shoreline Access and Beach Protection Committee heard on Jan. 6 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide the sand projected for the town’s renourishment but that a small stretch — about four blocks — will not be replenished, and work is not expected to be complete until April 2026.
Byron Ashbridge, the council liaison to the committee, said the Corps informed town officials that “100% of the sand projected as needed to meet expectations will be provided, however we will have a small amount of beach that isn’t going to get any sand which amounts to about 4 blocks.” He said the shortfall stems from using a four‑year‑old survey and greater-than-expected degradation since that survey was prepared.
The committee’s minutes note that the town’s renourishment project has two phases and that work paused after the first phase finished earlier than expected; the project will resume when dredges for phase two arrive. The minutes also record that Carolina Beach (CB) and Kure Beach (KB) projects are independent: the town’s sand is expected to come from offshore, while CB is receiving sand from the inlet, and costs differ between the projects.
Committee members discussed planned outfall‑pipe work. The minutes state a plan to change outflow pipes to 30‑inch pipes; the existing pipe size was recorded in the minutes as “18” (the minutes do not specify units). Members flagged that the larger outfall work had compromised some dune sections and that vegetation will need to be replanted.
Dennis Panicali said he did not believe dune replanting was included in the original contractor bid and that replanting would need to be contracted out. The minutes record the committee’s planting schedule: sea oats are planted in spring and seagrass is planted in fall.
The update also noted a practical timeline: the committee was told the project is looking to be complete by April 2026, but that resumption depends on dredges arriving and staging for phase two.
The committee did not take a formal policy vote on the renourishment during the meeting. Members said they will continue to press for clarity on contractor responsibilities and follow up on replanting plans; the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
