Nags Head authorizes Moffatt & Nichol task order and $481,940 ordinance amendment to advance beach nourishment planning

The Nags Head Board of Commissioners on Nov. 6 authorized the town manager to execute a professional services task order with Moffatt & Nichol and approved a $481,940 amendment to the Beach Nourishment maintenance capital project ordinance to advance planning and permitting for the next renourishment project.

Public Services staff told the board that recent annual beach‑condition surveys showed accelerated erosion in multiple reaches — notably the southern end of the town — and that a new multi‑decadal master plan uses reach‑based triggers tied to a 25‑storm protection level. Staff said the task order breaks the planning work into discrete task orders for project planning and permitting. The town previously received a coastal storm damage mitigation planning grant to cover about 50% of the planning costs.

Staff asked the board to authorize both the task order and the budget amendment (identified in the packet as Amendment #13). The board moved, seconded and approved both actions by voice vote. Staff also noted the town procured a fall survey and will use that post‑survey data to refine volumetric trigger calculations and to assess potential eligibility for any federal disaster declaration under FEMA Category G should the county seek assistance.

Moffatt & Nichol later presented the updated beach maintenance and monitoring plan required to preserve FEMA public‑assistance eligibility; the consultant reviewed past projects (2011, 2019, 2022), monitoring protocols (land transects, hydrographic surveys to about −30 ft), and the revised reach volumetric triggers that guide renourishment timing.

Board members approved the plan and the associated authorizations with no recorded opposition; staff will proceed with task‑order execution, permit applications and coordination with county and state grant programs.