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Coastal Federation site visit set as Sunset Beach pursues CPAC funding for oyster restoration
Summary
The Sunset Beach Environmental Resource Committee said a Coastal Federation expert will visit town property July 22 to assess living-shoreline and oyster-restoration options as the committee readies a Sept. 30 CPAC grant application that could cover up to 75% of project costs (up to $50,000).
The Sunset Beach Environmental Resource Committee announced July 15 that a Coastal Federation representative will visit town property on July 22 to assess living-shoreline and oyster-restoration options and help shape a grant application.
“We had an email from Georgia; she will come July 22 … at 10:00 at the town park,” said a marine and climate subcommittee member (Committee member S6), noting the visit is limited to town-owned land and that the Coastal Federation could later work separately with private property owners. The site visit is intended to evaluate erosion issues and outline possible restoration or planting work.
The committee also discussed a county funding opportunity repeatedly in the meeting. Committee members said they spoke with Elliot Swain of Brunswick County Soil and Water Conservation, who told them an application must be submitted by Sept. 30 and that awards will be reviewed across coastal counties, with funding decisions expected in January 2027. "If Sunset Beach is awarded, they would fund up to 75% of the cost up to $50,000," the committee reported (Committee member S6). Swain encouraged partnering with the Coastal Federation and offered to help submit an application using the federation's technical research rather than relying on the town's assertion of need.
Committee members said the Coastal Federation presentation could serve two purposes: help the town design work for the park and generate educational materials for homeowners who might otherwise install seawalls. Several members suggested photographing problem seawalls and showing before-and-after examples of seagrass and oyster projects to persuade residents to consider natural alternatives.
The subcommittee also discussed logistics for volunteer involvement and possible drone imagery to document shore conditions ahead of the visit. A committee member suggested coordinating with local volunteers and the SeaTreef Fishing Club and with local businesses that have assisted with past oyster and tank demonstrations.
Next steps: the committee said it will consolidate site information and need documentation for the Sept. 30 county application and follow up with the Coastal Federation after the July 22 visit. Committee members said county staff offered to help assemble and submit the grant if given the required data and research.
The Coastal Federation visit and the county application timeline mean the committee aims to use the next month to gather needs assessments, photos and technical input to strengthen the grant submission.
