10/27/2020
PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING, LOGISTICAL NOTES, END OF JANUARY START. 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase III)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/827/

Oregon Inlet ocean bar hampers transit
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/10/17/oregon-inlet-ocean-bar-hampers-transit/

Rule Would Set Temporary AEC in Oak Island
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/10/rule-would-set-temporary-aec-in-oak-island/

Pandemic plays havoc with big beach commission decision 
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/news/article_de256a04-0fbe-11eb-a575-cf7c5556dcf9.html 

DEQ awards $1,557,606 for Buxton Beach maintenance / storm damage repair
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/deq-awards-million-grant-for-buxton-beach-maintenance-storm-damage-repair/ 

Sand shortages expose beaches to rising seas
Thomas Frank, E&E News reporter, October 23, 2020
Coastal counties across the southeastern U.S. face "critical sand shortages" for projects that replenish beaches as climate change intensifies storms and raises sea levels, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.  In a first-of-its-kind report, the Army Corps analyzes the sand needs of 45 counties along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and finds that 29 counties face a "sand deficit" that could force them to undertake costly measures to import sand for beach projects.
The need for sand is rising due to "the effects of climate change, such as increasing sea level rise and changes in the frequency or intensity of storms," the report warns.  "We're seeing increasingly, particularly in the Southeast, sand is becoming a more-scarce resource or harder to access," said Derek Brockbank, executive director of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, which advocates for resilient coasts.
Overall, the situation in the Southeast is mixed. The Army Corps study found that the six-state region has 1.57 trillion cubic yards of sand available for beach projects and will need only 1.34 trillion cubic yards of sand over the next 50 years. The study area includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The two territories have minimal sand needs.  But the problem is the discrepancy between where the sand is located and where it's needed — and the enormous cost of moving sand more than a few miles.
"There's sand everywhere, but it's not really where we need it to be," said Nicole Elko, science director for the beach preservation association. "This study helps to put numbers to the hypothesis that sand resources are severely limited in certain areas."  Moving sand less than 5 miles can be done with a simple dredge that pumps sand directly onto a beach. But moving sand longer distances requires additional equipment such as a barge to move sand into place so that a dredge can pump it onto a beach, Elko said.  "Every mile farther away the sand gets, the cost increases," Elko said.
Dare County, N.C., has the largest sand surplus in the Southeast — 136 million cubic yards — due to its location encompassing the Outer Banks, according to the Army Corps study.  But the nearest county facing a sand deficit — Onslow County, N.C. — is more than 100 miles away. Moving sand that distance would cost millions of dollars.  Some of the most populous counties in the Southeast face some of the largest sand deficits. Miami-Dade County, Fla., with nearly 3 million people, has a deficit of 13.6 million cubic yards. Neighboring Broward County, Fla., with 2 million people, has a deficit of 9.1 million cubic yards.
Sand for beach restoration is taken either from spots several miles offshore or from dredging projects that remove unwanted sand from coastal harbors and inlets.  The Army Corps released the report last month as part of its South Atlantic Coastal Study, which began two years ago to analyze the regional risks from climate change and protection strategies against increased storm damage and sea-level rise.  "Sea level rise and storms present a threat to natural resources and infrastructure in the coastal environment," the Army Corps wrote in its 256-page Sand Availability and Needs Determination report.
A resilient beach system is important to addressing the effects of climate change because it "absorbs wave energy, reduces flooding to upland areas, and mitigates erosion," the Army Corps wrote. Beaches also provide recreation and a natural habitat for animals and plants, and restoration projects provide "a resilient 'green' or 'nature-based' shoreline stabilization technique."  The study recommends developing "regional prioritization of sand needs" and finding ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.  One cost-saving measure would involve conducting beach restoration projects that are near each other in rapid succession so that the same dredging equipment could be used for each project. That would reduce the cost — which can be several million dollars — of moving dredging equipment long distances.  "It should help reduce costs in the long term. Dredging has become extremely expensive," Elko said.

10/17/2020
Topsail Island federal beach nourishment sees delays -- and could lead to an increase in taxes
https://www.jdnews.com/story/news/2020/10/15/topsail-island-federally-funded-beach-nourishment-project-delayed/5923062002/

Coast Guard removes navigation markers from Barden Inlet
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_61bace7a-0fda-11eb-9b5e-cf738ef8cb2d.html

Case over future of eroding Folly Beach land heads to appeal
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/case-over-future-of-eroding-folly-beach-land-heads-to-appeal/article_2e6cfe12-0fb7-11eb-805c-bf1c0acdd4b0.html 

POA revises project again to dredge offshore sand (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/poa-revises-project-again-to-dredge-offshore-sand/

10/13/2020
Sunset Beach Tries Again On Dredging Plan
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/10/sunset-beach-tries-again-on-dredging-plan/ 

Success of erosion-control measure in Ponte Vedra Beach questioned
https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/2020/10/10/success-geotextile-tubes-ponte-vedra-beach-questioned/5900693002/

Sea oat ‘spikelets’ head north for processing ahead of next nourishment project
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_7f79b5a6-0a3b-11eb-8be4-3f74ea7d89cb.html 

Atlantic Harbor project comes in just over budget
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_a1d84a0e-0ca2-11eb-8acd-ebd23d19c913.html 

10/8/2020
N.C. 12 in Ocracoke to get a wall of 2,000 more sandbags to better protect the vulnerable highway
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/transportation/vp-nw-nc12-repairs-20201006-grt7ms5xjzbwnlzd7yk65cwoce-story.html 

Following dredging, regular ferry schedule in Pamlico Sound might resume Thursday
https://ocracokeobserver.com/2020/10/07/following-dredging-regular-ferry-schedule-in-pamlico-sound-might-resume-thursday/ 

Shoreline protection continues during potential record-breaking storm season
https://www.witn.com/video/2020/10/08/shoreline-protection-continues-during-potential-record-breaking-storm-season/ 

How do you save the Outer Banks' shrinking beaches? Officials hope new rules will help.
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-save-shoreline-20201001-uiuenxfulvaunmsqj7vtq3clvy-story.html 

Carteret’s tourism benefits From nourished beaches
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/opinions/editorials/article_ccbaa6f8-08e3-11eb-a028-d7a81f26c9a8.html 

10/1/2020
Company to harvest sea oats in Emerald Isle for new dunes
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/beaches/article_e3f5cfde-01b6-11eb-b4bf-a379a6c8ef4a.html 

Corps Asks State to Eliminate Dredge Window
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/09/corps-asks-state-to-eliminate-dredge-window/ 

Army Corps of Engineers wants to eliminate ‘window’ for state port dredging 
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_e79afe5e-0290-11eb-a7c4-bbc72d054b52.html 

NPS Outlines the Preferred Option for Future Sediment Management in Public Meetings Held This Week 
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/nps-outlines-the-preferred-option-for-future-sediment-management-in-public-meetings-held-this-week/ 

Beach panel delays decision on Bogue Banks master plan
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_16980b94-033f-11eb-83f3-afdb9c34bc85.html 

Wrightsville Beach gets help from Congressman as federal funding dries up
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/10/01/wrightsville-beach-gets-help-from-congressman-as-federal-funding-dries-up/ 

Oak Island project wrapping up after 40,000 feet of dune restoration
https://www.wect.com/2020/09/29/oak-island-project-wrapping-up-after-feet-dune-restoration/

9/28/2020
2020 State of the Beach
Carteret County Shore Protection Office Shorelines Newsletter (November 2020)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1346

Beach commission to get ‘State of the Beach’ report Monday
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_ba6bf1da-fe9a-11ea-8973-63dc4d302cc3.html 

Dredging in Big Foot Slough off Ocracoke expected to clear the way for more ferries
https://ocracokeobserver.com/2020/09/25/dredging-in-big-foot-slough-off-ocracoke-expected-to-clear-the-way-for-more-ferries/ 

Town Closes Freeman Park Due To Beach Erosion 
http://www.islandgazette.net/news-18/index.php/top-stories/item/9304-town-closes-freeman-park-due-to-beach-erosion

McMaster, Cunningham among those opposing Bay Point resort. Now it’s decision time (SC)
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article245949885.html

9/23/2020
Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
September 28, 2020; Remote, Emerald Isle Board Room, 2 pm
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09282020-1153 

Hatteras Sediment Plan Feedback Sought
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/09/hatteras-sediment-plan-feedback-sought/ 

Hurricane Sally sparks debate over beach nourishment
Daniel Cusick, E&E News reporter, September 21, 2020
Alabama's wide beaches were the first target of Hurricane Sally's scouring winds and storm surge, ripping away massive amounts of sand and leaving clifflike escarpments at popular tourist destinations.  It's a costly blow to communities across the upper Gulf Coast, where hurricane frequency is rising. Gulf Shores, Ala., for example, is still recovering from Hurricane Nate, a Category 1 storm largely overshadowed by Harvey, Irma and Maria. All of them made landfall in 2017.  But some scientists say Alabama's man-made beaches — beneficiaries of nearly $50 million in taxpayer-funded sand-pumping projects dating to the early 2000s — provided the best line of defense against one of the strongest hurricanes to strike the upper Gulf Coast since Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
"Ivan was a stronger and bigger storm," said Scott Douglass, president of the consulting firm South Coast Engineers in Fairhope, Ala., and an expert on Gulf Coast beach dynamics. "The houses along the shore did not fall into the water with this storm the way they did with Ike. That's because the beaches were 200 to 300 feet wider than they were 20 years ago."  Douglass is a proponent of "beach nourishment" in developed areas like coastal Alabama. "The headline today [from Sally] is not damaged beaches. The headline is how much worse the damage would have been without beach nourishment," he said.  The argument draws upon a principle that is widely accepted by coastal scientists. A shoreline with wave-breaking structures — like a wide beach — stands a better chance against hurricane damage because they sap energy from storms as they push ashore. That's true even if the beaches are battered or destroyed in the process.  "We need to build a resilient society, and this is one way to do it," Douglass said. "Gulf Shores deserves credit. They have done a lot of things right since 2004 like enforcing tougher building codes. They also rebuilt that beach to be more than just recreation assets, and it proved its worth with Sally."
Nourishment is a hot topic among coastal scientists, engineers and environmentalists because pumping sand onto beaches can be expensive and environmentally degrading.  Research by the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University, for example, shows that nourished beaches are less stable than natural ones. And along the southern Atlantic coast, most nourished beaches require additional sand every few years to maintain their wide profiles.  "It's true that wide beaches provide more storm protection, no one would argue that they don't," said Orrin Pilkey, director emeritus of the school's program. "But the best way [to reduce storm damage] is to get out of there, and I think more and more people are now thinking of relocating from the shoreline."  That may be true in some places, but not in coastal Alabama.
Baldwin County, home to the state's most popular tourist beaches, is the fastest growing county in the state. Not all of its growth is happening along beaches, but Gulf Shores has seen a nearly 18% population increase since 2010, according to census data. Neighboring Orange Beach grew nearly 15% over the same period.  Today the two communities are home to roughly 19,000 permanent residents, not accounting for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the beach communities each year.  Douglass, who has focused decades of research on the Alabama coast, said coastal retreat is a less viable option for densely populated communities like Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and other parts of the upper Gulf Coast.  Unlike coastal Carolina, the Alabama region has high-rise condominium buildings occupying long swaths of beach and single-family homes and businesses interspersed between them.
For better or worse, the upper Gulf Coast has built higher and denser buildings after every hurricane, and one of its top selling points is that thousands of rental units have beachfront views and are a short walk from the ocean.  Because of rising densities and real estate values, communities like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach can shoulder the cost of beach nourishment with local tax levies, and Douglass said the interval for renourishment along the upper Gulf Coast is closer to once per decade rather than every three years along the southern Atlantic coast.  "If you take the value of just a couple of those condo buildings and compare it to the cost of beach nourishment, these projects usually pay for themselves within a couple of years and nobody thinks it's money poorly spent," he said.  That doesn't mean it's money well spent, either, according to Pilkey, especially in light of sea-level rise, growing hurricane intensity and other effects of climate change such as saltwater intrusion into critical infrastructure.  "It's going to get worse and worse," Pilkey said. "Rather than pump fresh sand at taxpayer expense onto these beaches, maybe these towns should advocate for strategies that don't put even more people at the edge of the ocean."

9/18/2020
Another call to reject luxury ‘ecoresort’ plan for SC barrier island comes as review nears
https://www.postandcourier.com/business/another-call-to-reject-luxury-ecoresort-plan-for-sc-barrier-island-comes-as-review-nears/article_377dbc82-f692-11ea-a917-a3e82c66ec5d.html 

Sand push helps to build emergency dune line
https://stateportpilot.com/news/article_52f8abc8-f84c-11ea-8205-771d2c58fa08.html 

State could change some construction setbacks in Oak Island, emergency beach push underway
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/09/16/state-could-change-some-construction-setbacks-in-oak-island-emergency-beach-push-underway/ 

Bigfoot Slough Dredging Tentatively Scheduled for Next Week
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-09-17-bigfoot-slough-dredging-scheduled.aspx

Judge denies town’s bid to end suits over beach easements
https://coastalobserver.com/judge-denies-towns-bid-to-end-suits-over-beach-easements/

9/11/2020
Officials expect to start Old Ferry Channel dredging in December
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_a79f47e0-f20c-11ea-9833-afc1f25ed217.html  

USFWS Proposes Rule Codifying “Critical Habitat” Exclusion Analysis
https://www.endangeredspecieslawandpolicy.com/usfws-proposes-rule-codifying-critical-habitat-exclusion-analysis 

Proposed sea turtle ordinance could mean more rules for Hilton Head beach properties
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/proposed-sea-turtle-ordinance-could-mean-more-rules-for-hilton-head-beach-properties/article_cdf5f41a-f2c6-11ea-8752-5f5b2d5e8635.html

9/9/2020
Rising cost has North Topsail reconsidering federal beach project
https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200831/rising-cost-has-north-topsail-reconsidering-federal-beach-project 

NTB Weighs How to Pay $3M Yearly For Sand
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/09/ntb-weighs-how-to-pay-3m-yearly-for-sand/ 

Contractor finishes Carteret County portion of Atlantic Harbor project 
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_6971e1f6-f1eb-11ea-a695-f3eb31ec2d77.html 

Who Owns Florida’s Beaches? 
https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2020/09/who-owns-florida-beaches

8/31/2020
NEW – Atlantic Harbor Drone Videos (wave attenuation installation)
https://youtu.be/m72CHujrhMA - Low Panoramic
https://youtu.be/Vy4vppVrXok - Flyover heading to the nominal north
https://youtu.be/qXD9Ek2oPgw - Installation of wave attenuation discs
https://youtu.be/KlUnUnWftkk - Flyover heading to the nominal south

Eastern Atlantic Beach strand to get sand this winter
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_90f7e9fa-e7b9-11ea-b1b7-07da6d09e0d8.html 

Carteret, Hyde counties partner with ferry division to dredge Ocracoke channel
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_02e67ddc-e6df-11ea-912f-8b4512246a08.html 

Carteret and Hyde counties partner with NC Ferry Division on critical dredging project
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/08/31/carteret-and-hyde-counties-partner-with-nc-ferry-division-on-critical-dredging-project/ 

NC officials appeal federal decision to allow seismic surveying 
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_3d765ed8-e7d7-11ea-bbb6-c3ad393770b4.html 

Renourishment plan raises new concern: traffic
https://coastalobserver.com/renourishment-plan-raises-new-concern-traffic/ 

Shoreline protection: Congressmen Murphy, Rouzer visit Topsail
https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200827/shoreline-protection-congressmen-murphy-rouzer-visit-topsail 

As climate change fuels bigger hurricanes, is North Carolina prepared?
https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article245329735.html

8/24/2020
Surf City expects to spend $25 million on 6-mile berm and dune system 
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/08/20/surf-city-expects-to-spend-25-million-on-6-mile-berm-and-dune-system/ 

Carteret and Hyde Counties Partner with NC Ferry Division on Critical Dredging Project
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/08/21/carteret-and-hyde-counties-partner-with-nc-ferry-division-on-critical-dredging-project/

How the Army Corps of Engineers prepares and responds before, during, and after a hurricane
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/08/21/how-the-army-corps-of-engineers-prepares-and-responds-before-during-and-after-a-hurricane/

Hundreds of comments on Charleston sea wall plan show most people want more detail 
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/hundreds-of-comments-on-charleston-sea-wall-plan-show-most-people-want-more-detail/article_5e8c082a-de31-11ea-9f98-d3c71d47f708.html 

8/20/2020
Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
August 24, 2020; Remote, Emerald Isle Board Room, 2 pm
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08242020-1151

Motions Filed In Appeal Challenging CRC 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/08/motions-filed-in-appeal-challenging-crc/

Tip of Cape Point Rebuilding, per Recent Aerial Photos 
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/tip-of-cape-point-rebuilding-per-recent-aerial-photos/ 

SC Gov. McMaster urges Beaufort County board to reject Bay Point resort plans
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article245075300.html 

Isaias wiped out Oak Island’s dunes. Now, the town is stuck with piles of unusable sand
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/08/18/isaias-wiped-out-oak-islands-dunes-now-the-town-is-stuck-with-piles-of-unusable-sand/ 

8/17/2020
NEW – Atlantic Harbor Drone Videos!
Video 1 - https://youtu.be/dAtUoRy6BUM
Video 2 - https://youtu.be/sPNMgBfX0aE 
Video 3 - https://youtu.be/u3kO33Om42I 

Cape Carteret board authorizes manager to work on dredging plan
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_5c78d6be-dccc-11ea-8733-276952c3e952.html

Town wants $10M bond from property owners fighting beach easement (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/town-wants-10m-bond-from-property-owners-fighting-beach-easement/

Officials Seek Broader Approval for Dredging
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/08/officials-seek-broader-approval-for-dredging/ 

PUBLIC NOTICE - AIDS TO NAVIGATION SURVEY - The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) Study on the Shallow Draft system (waters less than 12 feet).  The purpose of the study is to determine the navigational needs and requirements of vessels operating in shallow draft navigable waterways throughout the country.  The study will focus in the existing shallow water Aids to Navigation (ATON) system, future development projects, waterborne commerce transiting these waters, and marine causality information.

Waterway users, interested parties, and stakeholders are invited to provide comments or feedback via the tool posted at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShallowWaterWAMS

8/12/2020
Carteret County says beach nourishment bids within budget
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_37534b9a-dca3-11ea-afa5-9b449fb0e92e.html 

Isaias caused damage to North Myrtle Beach dunes. Here’s what may be done to fix them
https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/weather-news/article244739682.html 

High tide, full moon, and Isaias brought devastating storm surge to Oak Island
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/08/05/high-tide-full-moon-and-isaias-brought-devastating-storm-surge-to-oak-island/ 

Storm tests island’s renourishment project (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/storm-tests-islands-renourishment-project/

8/5/2020
Hatteras Inlet getting much-needed help
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/08/03/hatteras-inlet-getting-much-needed-help/

Shoaling concerns force Pamlico Sound ferry routes to adopt one-boat schedule 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/08/05/shoaling-concerns-force-pamlico-sound-ferry-routes-to-adopt-one-boat-schedule/ 

Town plans its response to beach easement suits (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/town-plans-its-response-to-beach-easement-suits/

Suits seek to quash condemnation for future beach renourishment (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/suits-seeks-to-quash-condemnation-for-future-beach-renourishment/

'Reform' or 'gutting'? 'Habitat' definition stirs debate
Michael Doyle, E&E News reporter, August 3, 2020
A new Endangered Species Act wrangle over the definition of the word "habitat" will test all sides' ability to abandon rote talking points and confront big questions.  Questions like: Does climate change get cited or otherwise accounted for? Can latent restoration potential count? Which works better in describing a species' relationship to its habitat, "depend upon" or "use"?  Also this: Can advocates of whatever persuasion make a compelling case rooted in fact and reason, and will regulators heed them if they do?  Sometime this week, the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries are expected to formally initiate the challenge by publishing a proposed definition of "habitat" in the Federal Register. The agencies say their hand was forced (Greenwire, July 31).  "The Supreme Court recently held that an area must be 'habitat' in order to be designated as 'critical habitat,' and we are now seeking public comment on how best to define that overarching term," said Gary Frazer, the Fish and Wildlife Service's assistant director for ecological services.  The proposal, made public Friday, already has prompted a familiar rhetorical face-off in which one side's necessary "reform" is another side's dreaded "gutting."  Put another way, conservatives praise the proposal in broad terms.  "For too long, the ESA has been used to block economic growth, job creation, energy production and effective local wildlife management," said Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.). "Clarifying the definition of 'habitat,' based on science and not partisan politics, will help protect the interests of local communities."  And, in equally broad terms, environmentalists lambaste it.  "At a time when our country is demanding change and ... a positive and more inclusive vision for the future, the Trump administration is doubling down on decisions that value polluters over people, and wildlife and nature not at all," said Lena Moffitt, senior director of Sierra Club's Our Wild America campaign.
Critical habitat
The newly proposed definition is supposed to guide designation of "critical habitat" for protected species.
It identifies habitat as "the physical places that individuals of a species depend upon to carry out one or more life processes. Habitat includes areas with existing attributes that have the capacity to support individuals of the species."  As an alternative, the two agencies also will solicit comments on a possible definition that "habitat includes areas where individuals of the species do not presently exist but have the capacity to support such individuals, only where the necessary attributes to support the species presently exist."  An evidence-based assessment was offered today by Ya-Wei Li, director for biodiversity with the Environmental Policy Innovation Center.  "My overall view is that wildlife conservation would be better off without such a restrictive definition of 'habitat,' but the real-world impacts of the proposed definition are fortunately limited," Li said in an email.  Li noted that the definition is limited to the designation of unoccupied critical habitat, which constitutes only a small percentage of all critical habitat the agencies have designated.  According to the agencies' records, from 2008 to 2017, only 0.6% of all FWS terrestrial critical habitat, 3.1% of all FWS aquatic critical habitat and 0% of all NOAA Fisheries critical habitat was unoccupied, Li reported.  Critical habitat is that deemed "essential for the conservation of the species."  Any federal agency seeking to authorize, fund or carry out an action on designated land must first consult with FWS to ensure that the action is "not likely to ... result in the destruction or adverse modification" of critical habitat.
It started with a frog
In 2012, FWS included more than 1,500 acres of private land in Louisiana in its designation of critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog. The frog used to be found throughout coastal Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, but most individuals now live around a single pond in Mississippi. The Louisiana landowners argued that the 1,544 acres doesn't qualify as critical habitat because the land would need restoration to useful. In a 2018 Supreme Court decision, Chief Justice John Roberts observed that the ESA does not provide a "baseline definition" of habitat.  "It identifies only certain areas that are indispensable to the conservation of the endangered species," Roberts wrote. "The definition allows the [Interior] Secretary to identify the subset of habitat that is critical, but leaves the larger category of habitat undefined."
The federal government and the landowners in the case subsequently reached a settlement and left unresolved questions over how "habitat" should be defined in the law (Greenwire, Nov. 27, 2018).  With two alternatives now on the table, the federal agencies say they want comment on whether either definition is "too broad or too narrow or is otherwise proper or improper, and on whether other formulations of a definition of 'habitat' would be preferable."

7/28/2020
Dune Planting Complete!   New Sand Fencing Guideline MEMO.
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797

Contractor to work on Atlantic Harbor wave attenuators
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_2c8088b8-d023-11ea-836c-977643d7d937.html 

Dare County Dredge A Step Closer 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/07/dare-county-dredge-a-step-closer/ 

House Panel Approves Federal Support For Local Beach Nourishment 
http://www.islandgazette.net/news-18/index.php/top-stories/item/9238-house-panel-approves-federal-support-for-local-beach-nourishment

7/27/2020
Shoaling near Ocracoke forces reduction in Pamlico Sound ferry schedule 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/07/22/shoaling-near-ocracoke-forces-reduction-in-pamlico-sound-ferry-schedule/

Contested SC eco-resort plan, flagged as ‘greenwashing,’ up for key decision soon
https://www.postandcourier.com/business/contested-sc-eco-resort-plan-flagged-as-greenwashing-up-for-key-decision-soon/article_ec12c3d8-baf9-11ea-acd1-b3c001efa76c.html 

POA’s revised renourishment plan will haul sand by truck (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/poas-revised-renourishment-plan-will-haul-sand-by-truck/ 

NCDOT looks to Carteret County to dump bridge debris
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_0ee29afe-cd07-11ea-a2f5-a3ff7cf9713f.html

7/22/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE (could be completed by the end of the week) 
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797

Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
July 27, 2020; Remote, Emerald Isle Board Room, 2 pm
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07272020-1147 

Southern Shores approves agreement with Coastal Protection Engineering for beach nourishment project
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/07/16/southern-shores-approves-agreement-with-coastal-protection-engineering-for-beach-nourishment-project/ 

Federal dredging help to come for Hatteras and Oregon inlets
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/07/16/federal-dredging-help-to-come-for-hatteras-and-oregon-inlets/

Waterways Commission Addresses Shoaling 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/07/waterways-commission-addresses-shoaling/

Shoaling, Weather Derail Bridge Debris Plan
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/07/shoaling-weather-derail-bridge-debris-plan/ 

Audubon Challenges CBRA Sand Mining Rule  
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/07/audubon-challenges-cbra-sand-mining-rule/ 

Sullivan’s Island evaluates most vulnerable parts of island (SC)
https://www.live5news.com/2020/07/21/sullivans-island-evaluates-most-vulnerable-parts-island/

7/13/2020
Dare commissioners say no to dumping bridge demolition debris off Carteret County
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/07/10/dare-commissioners-say-no-to-dumping-bridge-demolition-debris-off-carteret-county/ 

Beach dune planting proceeds in Pine Knoll Shores
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_c317abfc-c2c3-11ea-b9da-ebfa2182530c.html 

Topsail Beach gets Hurricane Dorian recovery money from FEMA, North Carolina
https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20200710/topsail-beach-gets-hurricane-dorian-recovery-money-from-fema-north-carolina 

7/8/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE (back to work after the holiday but rain has other plans) 
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797

Survey Work for Potential Beach Nourishment Project in Avon Begins This Week
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/survey-work-for-potential-beach-nourishment-project-in-avon-begins-this-week/ 

After 2 years & more than $200k in legal fees, Carolina Beach still hasn’t resolved Freeman Park lawsuits 
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/07/02/after-2-years-and-more-than-200k-in-legal-fees-carolina-beach-still-hasnt-resolved-freeman-park-lawsuits/

Conservation Group Sues Over Changes to Coastal Dredge Rules (CBRA RELATED)
https://www.courthousenews.com/conservation-group-sues-over-changes-to-coastal-dredge-rules/

New maps drop thousands from flood plain 
https://www.thewashingtondailynews.com/2020/06/30/new-maps-drop-thousands-from-floodplain/

Historic floods reveal how salt marshes can save lives in the future 
https://www.sciencecodex.com/historic-floods-reveal-how-salt-marshes-can-save-lives-future-650712

7/1/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE w/ DRONE VIDEO
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797

ATLANTIC HARBOR DRONE VIDEO from 6/26/2020
1 - https://youtu.be/X9pR-8i92w8
2 - https://youtu.be/fjXrZN6skZI
3 - https://youtu.be/aOM9YHaHK-E

Original 1871 Lighthouse Fence Foundation Exposed at Old Lighthouse Beach
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/original-1871-lighthouse-fence-foundation-exposed-at-old-lighthouse-beach/

6/24/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE
(Mechanical Planting Complete Along Entire Project Dune Crest – Hand Planting Along Dune Slope Completed in AB, EI, and SP)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

National Park Service to issue special use permit to Dare County for Oregon Inlet dredging
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/national-park-service-to-issue-special-use-permit-to-dare-county-for-oregon-inlet-dredging/ 

Hunting Island’s anticipated beach project is finished. Here is the work by the numbers (SC)
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article243735772.html 

Rising Seas Threaten an American Institution: The 30-Year Mortgage
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/climate/climate-seas-30-year-mortgage.html 

6/17/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE
(8 inches of rain this past week, back to work today)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
June 22, 2020; Remote, Emerald Isle Board Room, 2 pm
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06222020-1144

Southern Shores approves beach nourishment project 
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/06/16/southern-shores-approves-beach-nourishment-project/

6/15/2020
Contractor works to finish Atlantic Harbor granite sill
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_8d075e8a-ab40-11ea-8b56-5731c861bb8e.html 

Hatteras Inlet remains clogged 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/06/12/hatteras-inlet-remains-clogged/

CRC Allows Larger Sandbags to Protect NC 12 
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/crc-allows-larger-sandbags-to-protect-nc-12/

Crews continue dune planting along Bogue Banks
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_c0ab5bd2-accc-11ea-a85e-d7db322382b8.html 

New flood maps say the Outer Banks is getting safer. Local officials disagree
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-flood-zones-20200612-dvgkjsgx4jfmjluxa5rc4ivwc4-story.html

6/10/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE
(Atlantic Beach complete & mechanical planting almost complete in Emerald Isle)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Kitty Hawk, KDH take steps on nourishment project
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/06/09/kitty-hawk-kdh-take-steps-on-nourishment-project/ 

Fixed for Failure: How flood insurance keeps dangerous homes standing in SC
https://www.postandcourier.com/rising-waters/fixed-for-failure-how-flood-insurance-keeps-dangerous-homes-standing-in-sc/article_851e6f74-42a4-11ea-9a58-076d6ef9355b.html 

Jersey Shore town illegally destroyed dunes for major beachfront developments, state says
https://www.nj.com/news/2020/06/jersey-shore-town-illegally-destroyed-dunes-for-major-pier-development-state-says.html

6/8/2020
2020 Hurricane Season Preview
Carteret County Shore Protection Office Shorelines Newsletter (July 2020)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1341

Southern Shores seeks public input on beach nourishment
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/06/05/southern-shores-seeks-public-input-on-beach-nourishment/

Southern Shores adopts budget and flood maps, debates new town engineer
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/06/08/southern-shores-adopts-budget-and-flood-maps-debates-new-town-engineer/ 

6/3/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE (mechanical planting to start in Emerald Isle tomorrow)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Resilience Bigger Part of Plan to Save NC 12
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/06/resilience-bigger-part-of-plan-to-save-nc-12/ 

‘No other roads like it’: N.C. 12 is in a class by itself
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/transportation/vp-nw-obx-highway-20200531-lkpbvtlfnbblfib73e2xuljo2y-story.html 

Condemned house on Rodanthe beach destroyed by ocean
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-house-destroyed-20200529-7vunk6vlhnhfbafkj3jl2f7uye-story.html

5/26/2020
Beach towns on Topsail Island have finished up beach renourishment projects
https://www.wect.com/2020/05/20/beach-towns-topsail-island-have-finished-up-beach-renourishment-projects/ 
Nesting loggerhead sea turtle found dead, likely hit by vehicle
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/05/25/nesting-loggerhead-sea-turtle-found-dead-likely-hit-by-vehicle/

Flood maps approved by Southern Shores Planning Board
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/05/24/flood-maps-approved-by-southern-shores-planning-board/ 
Town moves to condemn easements for future beach work (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/town-moves-to-condemn-easements-for-future-beach-work/ 

Fixed for Failure: How flood insurance keeps dangerous homes standing in SC  
https://www.postandcourier.com/rising-waters/fixed-for-failure-how-flood-insurance-keeps-dangerous-homes-standing-in-sc/article_851e6f74-42a4-11ea-9a58-076d6ef9355b.html 

5/19/2020

Phase II Nourishment Beach Nourishment Complete – Dune Planting Underway
Carteret County Shore Protection Office Shorelines Newsletter (June 2020)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/1339

Contractor completes dredging work in Atlantic Harbor
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_7e49189a-95f4-11ea-ac8c-4fa41529f435.html

5/14/2020
DUNE PLANTING UPDATE.  SCHEDULING/SEQUENCING.  FRIENDLY REMINDER. 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Dredging at Hatteras Inlet to start soon
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/05/14/dredging-at-hatteras-inlet-to-start-soon/

5/13/2020
Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
May 18, 2020; Remote, Emerald Isle Board Room, 2 pm
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05182020-1141

Southern Shores moves toward decision on beach nourishment 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/05/10/southern-shores-moves-toward-decision-on-beach-nourishment/

Beach planting begins along the Crystal Coast
https://wcti12.com/news/local/beach-planting-begins-along-the-crystal-coast

Hatteras Inlet dredging could start this week
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/hatteras-inlet-dredging-could-start-this-week/ 

Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for Oregon Inlet dredging available for public review
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/draft-finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-oregon-inlet-dredging-available-for-public-review/

5/4/2020
‘Rustic’ Outer Banks cabins are slowly falling into the ocean. Can they be saved?
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article242459741.html 

Crews wrap up Pelletier Creek dredging
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_851e1042-8bdd-11ea-9a6a-fbc445da4920.html

Contractor completes $28.2M nourishment project, moves to dune planting 
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_3d090ad8-8bdc-11ea-b37a-2fe98a6425c0.html

4/29/2020
PROJECT COMPLETE!  AWESOME DRONE VIDEO!  DUNE PLANTING STARTS NEXT WEEK! 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

4/27/2020
<2,000 LINEAR FEET TO GO - FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

POA seeks permits to build beach and dune at Litchfield (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/poa-seeks-permits-to-build-beach-and-dune-at-litchfield/

Permits delayed, sea turtle monitors will keep their distance
https://coastalobserver.com/permits-delayed-sea-turtle-monitors-will-keep-their-distance/  

Framework under development for sand projects for Cape Hatteras National Seashore
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/04/25/framework-under-development-for-sand-projects-for-cape-hatteras-national-seashore/

Right whales: Lawsuit on protections could last for months
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/right-whales-lawsuit-on-protections-could-last-for-months/2020/04/25/7f2e1684-8717-11ea-81a3-9690c9881111_story.html

4/23/2020
3,500 LINEAR FEET TO GO 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Gauges Added to Improve Flood Prediction 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/04/gauges-added-to-improve-flood-prediction/

Work going well in Atlantic Harbor
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_abc7cd96-84cb-11ea-9ec1-777029d0f0ce.html 

Bay Head oceanfront homeowners lose appeal of land seized for dunes (NJ)
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/ocean-county/sandy-recovery/2020/04/22/bay-head-oceanfront-homeowners-lose-appeal-land-seized-dunes/2997215001/

4/20/2020
FLIPPING THE PIPE FOR THE LAST TIME; FINAL LEG 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Kitty Hawk requests feedback for continuance of MSD tax for beach nourishment
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/04/14/kitty-hawk-requests-feedback-for-continuance-of-msd-tax-for-beach-nourishment/

Cape Hatteras National Seashore invites public participation in development of a sand management framework
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/04/19/cape-hatteras-national-seashore-invites-public-participation-in-development-of-a-sand-management-framework/ 
$1.75 billion plan proposes flood wall encircling Charleston peninsula against sea rise
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/1-75-billion-plan-proposes-flood-wall-encircling-charleston-peninsula-against-sea-rise/article_1da35bd6-80dc-11ea-a07c-279e26d1510d.html

4/16/2020
BACK TO WORK AFTER THE STORM
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Legislative Error Wipes Out Bond Program
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/04/legislative-error-wipes-out-bond-program/

Climate Change Turns the Tide on Waterfront Living 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2020/04/13/after-decades-waterfront-living-climate-change-is-forcing-communities-plan-their-retreat-coasts/

New sandbar near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse could grow into island 
https://www.pilotonline.com/life/wildlife-nature/vp-nw-new-sandbar-20200414-n6xqeb5pyja73enmw3vilzowvm-story.html 

Highly collectible seashells piling up on Outer Banks during coronavirus tourism ban
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article242004936.html

4/13/2020
ELLIS ISLAND REFUELING – 6,800 LINEAR FEET REMAINING (OUT OF 49,900 TOTAL) WHEN WE START BACK TOMORROW
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

DeBordieu loses bid to intervene in North Inlet suit (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/debordieu-loses-bid-to-intervene-in-north-inlet-suit/

Cape Hatteras National Seashore invites public participation in development of a sediment management framework
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-driving-on-the-beach/chns-invites-public-participation-in-development-of-a-sediment-management-framework/

4/9/2020
SALTER PATH COMPLETE – WEST EMERALD ISLE UNDERWAY
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Ports Completes Project To Bring In Larger Ships (NC)
http://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/maritime/2020/04/08/nc_ports_completes_project_to_bring_in_larger_ships/20212

4/6/2020
PINE KNOLL SHORES COMPLETED, SALTER PATH INITIATED, W. EMERALD ISLE TO BEGIN LATER THIS WEEK.
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Currituck County to study beach shoreline changes over next 3 years
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-beach-study-20200404-4i5w6ecin5ayzbe6vgpukfujfe-story.html

Closing the beaches: Who actually has the authority to do it?
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/04/06/closing-the-beaches-who-actually-has-the-authority-to-do-it/

4/2/2020
ALMOST COMPLETE IN PINE KNOLL SHORES - TRANSITION TO SALTER PATH TOMORROW
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Federal Judge Throws Out Challenge to CRC 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/04/federal-judge-throws-out-challenge-to-crc/ 

Coastal low leaves sand, overwash on NC 12 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/04/02/coastal-low-leaves-sand-overwash-on-nc-12/

3/30/2020
LAST FLIP IN PINE KNOLL SHORES - 3,500 LINEAR FEET TO GO BEFORE SALTER PATH
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Whales face more fatal ship collisions as waters warm
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/business-news/2020/03/whales-face-more-fatal-ship-collisions-as-waters-warm/

3/26/2020
ELLIS ISLAND CONTINUES WORKING; CLOSE TO THE HOME STRETCH IN PINE KNOLL SHORES
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

County OKs contract for Atlantic Harbor project
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_e4ccf662-6e1d-11ea-9550-abd2ff131553.html

3/23/2020
BOTH DREDGES WORKING UNTIL THE LIBERTY ISLAND DEPARTS TOMORROW
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

With all that sand, a few gaps stand out
https://coastalobserver.com/with-all-that-sand-a-few-gaps-stand-out/

The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) received an application from the NCDOT-Ferry Division seeking Department of the Army authorization to dredge and perform maintenance on a 2.5-mile segment of the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route identified as Sloop Channel in Hyde County, North Carolina.
https://saw-reg.usace.army.mil/PN/2020/SAW-2020-00462-PN.PDF

Commentary: Seawall at DeBordieu sacrifices public property (SC)
https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/commentary-seawall-at-debordieu-sacrifices-public-property/article_f758b3ba-6969-11ea-ab94-e3445a65a1af.html

3/19/2020
THE ELLIS ISLAND HAS ARRIVED; FLIPPING THE PIPE ON LINE 4 AND WORKING OFF LINE 5; SCHEDULE 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Project On to Finally Allow Elizabeth II to Sail
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/03/project-on-to-finally-allow-elizabeth-ii-to-sail/

Brunswick Town site gets $2-million grant for stabilization 
https://stateportpilot.com/news/article_29481840-694f-11ea-9596-0b0822cde364.html

3/16/2020
STARTING ON SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING #4 ("LINE 4")
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Corps Pulls Sunset Beach Dredge Application 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/03/corps-pulls-sunset-beach-dredge-application/

3/12/2020
GREAT PROGRESS CONTINUES; ELLIS ISLAND  TO START ON THE 19th; MORE DRONE PHOTOS; COVID-19
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Waterways Commission Make Adjustments to Move Forward with April Dredging
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/waterways-commission-make-adjustments-to-move-forward-with-april-dredging/

More Heat, Floods, Storms ‘Virtually Certain’ 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/03/more-heat-floods-storms-virtually-certain/

Army Corps plan for Charleston flooding won’t include home buyouts
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/army-corps-plan-for-charleston-flooding-won-t-include-home/article_b531c0e8-63a7-11ea-a7e3-233b8eaa79c6.html

Charleston City Council OKs new construction height requirements in flood-prone areas
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/charleston-city-council-oks-new-construction-height-requirements-in-flood/article_c723d36e-6248-11ea-b197-33d5499f704e.html

3/9/2020
PKS ROUGHLY 25% COMPLETE (40% OVERALL).
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Building sunken breakwaters off SC coast to halt beach erosion has unclear future
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/building-sunken-breakwaters-off-sc-coast-to-halt-beach-erosion/article_be6690bc-5c90-11ea-8c47-43e4cfe838ed.html

Feasibility study for Avon Beach Nourishment moving forward
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/feasibility-study-for-avon-beach-nourishment-moving-forward/

Kitty Hawk offshore wind project moving forward
https://obxtoday.com/top-stories/kitty-hawk-offshore-wind-project-moving-forward/

3/5/2020
GET READY FOR THE ELLIS ISLAND.  
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

County gets state permit for Atlantic Harbor dredging project
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_a7c75bbc-5e56-11ea-81ac-1b54fe6cbece.html

3/2/2020
REACH 10 COMPLETED.   PUMPING OFF LINE 3 IN PINE KNOLL SHORES.  
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Judge rules for Hovey: Duck beach access is public
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/02/29/judge-rules-for-hovey-duck-beach-access-is-public/

Flood maps don't keep pace with intensifying disasters
Thomas Frank, E&E News reporter, February 28, 2020
The Federal Emergency Management Agency yesterday acknowledged shortcomings in its program to create flood maps for the nation, saying that many of them are old and possibly inaccurate.  Michael Grimm, FEMA assistant administrator for risk management, told a congressional hearing that the agency's flood-mapping program, which helps communities steer development away from flood-prone areas, faces a number of problems as flooding increases because of climate change.  "There are certain things we have not been able to directly attack," Grimm told members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.  FEMA's flood maps show the properties in each community that are inside a high-risk flood zone, which means they have a 1% chance of being flooded every year. FEMA requires owners of the high-risk properties to have flood insurance if they have a federally backed mortgage on the property.
The maps "have done a poor job" identifying areas at risk of flooding, said Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).
"About three times as many people live in serious flood risk as are shown on maps," he said. "We must improve our flood maps for the sake of American homeowners, business owners and investment."
Among the problems:
• FEMA has for decades prioritized creating maps for the most populated parts of the United States, where flooding would cause the most damage. "The unfortunate consequence is that areas of potential future development remain unmapped," Grimm said.
• Roughly 3,300 of 22,000 communities have flood maps that are more than 15 years old. The maps might be inaccurate, because development and other land use changes over time can increase flood risk in areas thought to be safe from flooding.
• Because flood maps show only whether an area is inside or outside a high-risk flood zone, the maps "may give a false impression to communities outside of the [flood zone] that they have little to no flood risk," Grimm said. Many communities outside the high-risk flood zone have experienced substantial flooding in recent years, particularly communities in Texas that were drenched when Hurricane Harvey dumped record rainfall in 2017.
• Although federal law requires FEMA to review flood maps every five years to certify them as current, the process of developing new maps takes so long — seven years on average — that newly approved maps are often out of date. "Maps have technically expired by the time they are approved and publicly available," Grimm said.

FEMA is looking at developing maps that provide "graduated flood risk analyses" and "a more nuanced set of information" to better understand potential flood damage both inside and outside high-risk flood zones, Grimm said.  Grimm's testimony came as President Trump has proposed cutting FEMA's mapping budget to $100 million in fiscal 2021, from $263 million in this fiscal year. Congress has ignored Trump's previous proposals to cut federal spending for flood mapping and shift costs to states.  Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, testified yesterday that Congress should allocate at least $600 million a year for FEMA flood mapping.  "This gap in data is contributing significantly to the increasing flood losses in the nation," Berginnis said, referring to shortcomings in flood maps.  A recent association report says it will cost $3.2 billion to $11.8 billion for FEMA to create flood maps for the entire country and that updating the maps will cost $107 million to $480 million a year. The parts of the country without flood maps are mostly in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain West (Climatewire, Feb. 27).
In response to questioning by Tonko, Grimm acknowledged climate change — a departure from other FEMA officials who have avoided publicly answering lawmakers' queries about the effects of rising temperatures.
"Absolutely, the climate is changing," Grimm said. "FEMA is addressing climate in our program areas."  Mark Osler, NOAA's senior adviser for coastal inundation and resilience, told Tonko that "one of NOAA's core missions is to research and monitor climate."  "How does that not percolate to the top of the executive branch?" Tonko replied. "If we have climate impacting a lot of this mapping and data assimilation, why do we not accept the concept of climate change?"  Grimm and Osler were silent for five seconds.  Grasping their reticence, Tonko ended his questioning, saying, "OK, I yield back."

2/27/2020
WE'RE IN PINE KNOLL SHORES
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Myrtle Beach leaders throw support behind bill to provide beach renourishment funding
https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/02/25/myrtle-beach-leaders-throw-support-behind-bill-provide-beach-renourishment-funding/

2/24/2020
WE’VE FLIPPED; 1,500 FEET MORE TO AB/PKS BOUNDARY
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Deal with Corps offers town future beach funds (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/deal-with-corps-offers-town-future-beach-funds/

NCDOT begins Ocracoke sandbag project
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/02/20/ncdot-begins-ocracoke-sandbag-project/

POA will gather property records to put county on notice of restrictions (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/poa-will-gather-property-records-to-put-county-on-notice-of-restrictions/ 

Beach nourishment project continues in Atlantic Beach
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_84a17bbc-54e8-11ea-987d-2b6bc181326d.html

2/20/2020
LEAPFROGGING; PUMPING BACK TOWARDS THE EAST OFF THE 2nd SUBMERGED PIPELINE   
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

County to dredge pair of waterways
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_2d0b5ede-52ab-11ea-b8fa-cb6e2acd362d.html 

NCDOT to place sandbags on N.C. 12 at north end
https://ocracokeobserver.com/2020/02/19/ncdot-to-place-sandbags-on-n-c-12-at-north-end/ 

CRC Grants Variance On Jinks Creek Project 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/02/crc-grants-variance-on-jinks-creek-project/

2/17/2020
AWESOME PROGRESS, 2nd SUBMERGED PIPELINE SET   
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Beach Projects Help But Choices Lie Ahead
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/02/beach-projects-help-but-choices-lie-ahead/

Sandbridge’s $20 million beach replenishment project to begin
http://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-sandbridge-beach-0214-20200216-jrg5xwmrqjf7lnetbxmt7d7u3a-story.html

Long a holdout, Currituck County to study beach nourishment 
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/02/16/long-a-holdout-currituck-county-to-study-beach-nourishment/

Army Corps spiffing up Rudee Inlet ahead of dredging project
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-rudee-inlet-dock-0212-20200214-etzepdqc5nhlzkbrl64onwdrfm-story.html

Buxton Meeting Highlights Concerns with New-in-2020 Flood Maps
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/buxton-meeting-highlights-concerns-with-new-in-2020-flood-maps/

2/14/2020
PIPE FLIPPED AT 1st SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING (HEADING WEST NOW)   
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Avon takes a step forward towards a potential beach nourishment project 
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/avon-takes-a-step-forward-towards-a-potential-beach-nourishment-project/

Town Approves Moving Forward On Study To Extend Beach Nourishment
http://www.islandgazette.net/news-18/index.php/top-stories/item/9061-town-approves-moving-forward-on-study-to-extend-beach-nourishment 

State Extends Time For Input On New IHAs
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/02/state-extends-time-for-input-on-new-ihas/

Renourishment a go for prized SC rookery Crab Bank in Charleston Harbor
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/renourishment-a-go-for-prized-sc-rookery-crab-bank-in/article_644e861a-4c15-11ea-a7a2-0b6fa7c9f203.html 

2/10/2020
NICE PROGRESS  
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

A long-awaited Hunting Island beach project began this week. Here’s what you’ll see
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/article239945788.html

Officials expect to start Old Ferry Channel dredging in December
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_a79f47e0-f20c-11ea-9833-afc1f25ed217.html  
OfAnother call to reject luxury ‘ecoresort’ plan for SC barrier island comes as review nears
https://www.postandcourier.com/business/another-call-to-reject-luxury-ecoresort-plan-for-sc-barrier-island-comes-as-review-nears/article_377dbc82-f692-11ea-a917-a3e82c66ec5d.html 

Sand push helps to build emergency dune line
https://stateportpilot.com/news/article_52f8abc8-f84c-11ea-8205-771d2c58fa08.html 

State could change some construction setbacks in Oak Island, emergency beach push underway
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/09/16/state-could-change-some-construction-setbacks-in-oak-island-emergency-beach-push-underway/ 

Bigfoot Slough Dredging Tentatively Scheduled for Next Week
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2020/2020-09-17-bigfoot-slough-dredging-scheduled.aspx

Judge denies town’s bid to end suits over beach easements
https://coastalobserver.com/judge-denies-towns-bid-to-end-suits-over-beach-easements/

ficials expect to start Old Ferry Channel dredging in December
https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_a79f47e0-f20c-11ea-9833-afc1f25ed217.html  

USFWS Proposes Rule Codifying “Critical Habitat” Exclusion Analysis
https://www.endangeredspecieslawandpolicy.com/usfws-proposes-rule-codifying-critical-habitat-exclusion-analysis 

Proposed sea turtle ordinance could mean more rules for Hilton Head beach properties
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/proposed-sea-turtle-ordinance-could-mean-more-rules-for-hilton-head-beach-properties/article_cdf5f41a-f2c6-11ea-8752-5f5b2d5e8635.html

USFWS Proposes Rule Codifying “Critical Habitat” Exclusion Analysis
https://www.endangeredspecieslawandpolicy.com/usfws-proposes-rule-codifying-critical-habitat-exclusion-analysis 

Proposed sea turtle ordinance could mean more rules for Hilton Head beach properties
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/proposed-sea-turtle-ordinance-could-mean-more-rules-for-hilton-head-beach-properties/article_cdf5f41a-f2c6-11ea-8752-5f5b2d5e8635.html

2/8/2020
PROJECT START! 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Dredging has started, beach project underway
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_22de87aa-49f1-11ea-a333-1bca8d7fafde.html

Sunset Beach wants exception to state regulations to dredge man-made canals, Jinks Creek
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/02/06/sunset-beach-wants-exception-to-state-regulations-to-dredge-man-made-canals-jinks-creek/

2/5/2020
LIBERTY ISLAND IS HERE; COULD START TOMORROW OR SATURDAY 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Carteret County Beach Commission Meeting Agenda
February 11, 2020; Pine Knoll Shores Town Hall, 2 pm

http://www.carteretcountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112020-1105 

Duck looks at flood damage prevention ordinance 
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/02/04/duck-looks-at-flood-damage-prevention-ordinance/

Duck beach access case delayed
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/02/04/duck-beach-access-case-delayed/

2/3/2020
Latest Bogue Banks nourishment project begins
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_cd06c304-446b-11ea-b238-d3beba7e9846.html

As SC island homes fall into ocean, owners behind them wonder if they’re next
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/as-sc-island-homes-fall-into-ocean-owners-behind-them/article_7e986a32-30c6-11ea-9ac3-d78c896d1fcd.html

County looks to dredge Old Ferry Channel
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_69cb3396-4539-11ea-885f-a75dc323a083.html

Big flooding fixes coming for vulnerable Eastern Shore Drive in Virginia Beach
https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-virginia-beach-shore-drive-flooding-20200202-5jrt2cbx2jcl7nup5fw6d7zj4i-story.html 

Editorial: Don’t weaken South Carolina’s beachfront laws 
https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-don-t-weaken-south-carolina-s-beachfront-laws/article_43228d5a-4446-11ea-8747-9f4d3afd1bbb.html

1/31/2020
SC beach building boundaries would stop at existing houses under new bill 
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-beach-building-boundaries-would-stop-at-existing-houses-under/article_2aa2f446-4148-11ea-853f-e7add39b92ec.html 

State asserts public right to North Inlet marshes (SC)
https://coastalobserver.com/state-asserts-public-right-to-north-inlet-marshes/ 

Surf City to vote on extending berm to all oceanfront properties, $237m Corps project hits planning phase
https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2020/01/30/surf-city-to-vote-on-extending-berm-to-all-oceanfront-properties-corps-project-hits-planning-phase/ 

Report Details Increasing Climate Threats
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/report-details-increasing-climate-threats/ 

PUBLIC NOTICE - The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) received an application from the Town of Surf City seeking Department of the Army authorization to perform excavation of Banks Channel, and place approximately 1.6 million cubic yards of sand along the oceanfront shoreline, associated with a beach nourishment project in Surf City, in Pender and Onslow Counties, North Carolina.
https://saw-reg.usace.army.mil/PN/2019/SAW-2019-00658-PN.pdf 

1/29/2020
PIPELINE ARRIVING; SUBMERGED LINE SET; LOOKING TO START NEXT WEEK  
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/

Sunset Beach Threatens to Take $1.2M Lot
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/sunset-beach-threatens-to-take-1-2m-lot/

How will rising seas, harsher storms affect Beaufort, SC? Hear what experts say
https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article239599023.html 

Nourished beaches provide good return on investment
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/opinions/editorials/article_dc748500-422d-11ea-af08-b72f980d0f31.html

1/27/2020
Dredging for dollars: $144M in Bogue Banks nourishment essential to maintaining beaches
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_8eeb4874-3fc0-11ea-9927-f78ba03467fc.html 

Southern Shores ponders town-wide beach project
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/01/22/southern-shores-ponders-first-town-wide-beach-project/ 

Funding Available For Study To Extend Beach Nourishment
http://www.islandgazette.net/news-18/index.php/top-stories/item/9028-funding-available-for-study-to-extend-beach-nourishment 

Grain by grain, Briarcliffe Acres tries to restore dunes lost to hurricanes (SC)
https://wpde.com/news/local/grain-by-grain-briarcliffe-acres-tries-to-restore-dunes-lost-to-hurricanes 

New Dare Flood Maps Misrepresent Risk 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/new-dare-flood-maps-misrepresent-risk/ 

Town Council Hears Freeman Park Update
http://www.islandgazette.net/news-18/index.php/top-stories/item/9026-town-council-hears-freeman-park-update 

New FEMA Flood Zone map brings changes to Onslow
https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200126/new-fema-flood-zone-map-brings-changes-to-onslow 

KDH tries new approach to event homes
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/01/23/kdh-tries-new-approach-to-event-homes/

1/22/2020
IRON STEAMER WILL SERVE AS STAGING AREA, STILL LOOKING AT 1st WEEK of FEBRUARY 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/ 

NC 12, Channel Shoaling Concerns Escalate
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/nc-12-channel-shoaling-concerns-escalate/ 

Wind-blown sand on section of NC 12
https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/01/22/wind-blown-sand-on-section-of-nc-12/

Bald Head Gets $3M for Sand Project
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/bald-head-gets-3m-for-sand-project/ 

Ghost worms that feed migrating SC birds threatened by pace of beach renourishment 
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/ghost-worms-that-feed-migrating-sc-birds-threatened-by-pace/article_a7dc5152-323c-11ea-8b5c-3bf692a74d39.html 

Nearly 100 Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles Rescued After Recent Cold Spell 
https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/nearly-100-cold-stunned-sea-turtles-rescued-after-recent-cold-spell/

1/20/2020
Shifting Sands: Using Taxes to Build the Best Beaches 

https://www.resourcesmag.org/resources-radio/shifting-sands-using-taxes-build-best-beaches-megan-mullin/ 

Kitty Hawk agrees to proposal for post-Dorian beach survey and analysis

https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/01/14/kitty-hawk-agrees-to-proposal-for-post-dorian-beach-survey-and-analysis/ 

Federal disaster relief is being wasted on NC beaches

https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/article239374408.html

1/17/2020

Rule Change May Threaten Coastal Areas

https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/rule-change-may-threaten-coastal-areas/ 

SC senators push laser mapping to better plan for flooding 

https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-senators-push-laser-mapping-to-better-plan-for-flooding/article_a6c174de-37da-11ea-a7aa-eba284308123.html 

Currituck dune vegetation program now accepting applications 

https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/01/16/currituck-dune-vegetation-program-now-accepting-applications/

As beach work moves north, town presses to reopen access

https://coastalobserver.com/as-beach-work-moves-north-town-presses-to-reopen-access/ 

Virginia Beach will need to spend billions of dollars to battle sea level rise, says new city report

https://www.pilotonline.com/news/environment/vp-nw-virginia-beach-report-sealevelrise-20200116-y5mjb7424vchhkeo7djrwm4yvq-story.html 

Long-Stalled Dredging at Hatteras Inlet Scheduled for Late January

https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/long-stalled-dredging-at-hatteras-inlet-scheduled-for-late-january/ 

There’s never been federal funding available for these 2 NC beaches. Until now. 

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article239244138.html

Corps Funds Bogue, Topsail Sand Projects

https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/corps-funds-bogue-topsail-sand-projects/

ACE funds county beach master plan

http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_dff18a9e-3732-11ea-b71a-47b44a2b531a.html

1/13/2020 

Beach project is a "go" for the first week in February
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_c7ec74c8-33ee-11ea-bf14-5b2dccc27680.html

First phase of Pawleys Island beach renourishment nears completion

https://www.wmbfnews.com/2020/01/10/first-phase-pawleys-island-beach-renourishment-near-completion/ 

Administration sued for failing to protect green sea turtles from climate change

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/08/trump-admin-sued-green-sea-turtle-protection-climate-change/2846951001/

1/8/2020
PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING, LOGISTICAL NOTES, 1st WEEK of FEBRUARY START 
Post-Florence Renourishment Project (Phase II)
http://www.carteretcountync.gov/797/ 

Dare officials concerned about FEMA flood maps
https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2020/01/07/dare-officials-concerned-about-fema-flood-maps/

Coastal Research: One Town’s Septic Risks 
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/coastal-research-one-towns-septic-risks/

1/3/2020
Inlets cut by Dorian fill back in
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_d767d202-2bfc-11ea-9b55-4fe1988aa38d.html 

Dune clearing at North Litchfield lots raises questions 
https://coastalobserver.com/dune-clearing-at-north-litchfield-lots-raises-questions/

Fort Macon accepts natural Christmas trees 
http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_4ccf3612-2da0-11ea-b570-8bf76d0c2463.html

Give Natural Christmas Trees a Second Life
https://www.coastalreview.org/2020/01/live-christmas-trees-can-have-second-life/ 

Parks, beaches put Christmas trees to use to restore dunes 
https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200102/parks-beaches-put-christmas-trees-to-use-to-restore-dunes