Terminal groin legislation stalls once again
Legislation that would have allowed terminal groins, or jetties, under limited circumstances has again stalled in the General Assembly.
The General Assembly adjourned without approving the legislation, which had been added to a measure to delay new rules for discharging sewage at marinas. The marina legislation was moved to another bill.
State Sen. Clark Jenkins, a Tarboro Democrat, added the groin amendment to the marina bill after it was passed by the House and had gone to the Senate.
The bill needed to go back to the House for another vote because of the amendment. It was not taken up before the General Assembly adjourned the short session last week.
Legislation allowing groins under certain circumstances has passed the Senate previously but has failed to make headway in the House. The state has long banned such structures on the shoreline.
Coastal towns and counties support the use of groins, saying they can control erosion. The Coastal Federation opposes them, saying they are unpredictable and can accelerate erosion elsewhere on the beach.
In a study completed under a legislative mandate, the state Coastal Resources Commission acknowledged earlier this year that the structures can be effective in retaining sand on the beach if they are used with nourishment projects. The study was inconclusive on their effect on wildlife habitat and marine resources.
A recommendation from the CRC said that any exception should impose requirements, including insurance or bonding and assurances that a terminal groin will last at least 25 years.
The rock jetty that was installed to protect the south end of the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet was one of five studied by the CRC.
Nags Head would like to see one installed on the north side of the inlet in hopes that it would retain sand migrating southward if it receives the permits and funding for its beach nourishment project.
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Mabel Choate says:
A terminal groin on the N. side of Oregon Inlet would NOT do a thing for Nags Head. Neither would a 5-mile long jetty. OK, so a 5-mile long jetty might have an impact on the southern end of South Nags Head. But it would cause tremendous damage to Pea Island and farther south.
John says:
I believe that a terminal groin at the extreme southern end end of Nags Head or the N side of Oregon inlet would be beneficial and slow the progression of sand southward.I believe we’ll recoup the costs from the money saved in dredging costs.We spend millions of dollars to set up a pipeline dredge and pump sand to Pea Island,when it should be pumped back north where it came from.Give us our sand back!
Bert says:
We need a new Speaker of the House that can help manage or coast. Speaker Hackney is from Chapel Hill and that says a lot. HE SINGLE-HANDED refused to allow the BILL to be heard. Why will he not let a bill be heard that has been endorsed by the magnatude of elected officals all along the coast of NC. Does he know more that all the coastal residents and legimate coastal scientist and engineers that support this? NO, he does not. THIS IS A DEMOCRACY and our vote should be heard and allowed! Senator Marc Basnight should be over-whelmingly praised for his efforts to provide environmentally sound mangement tools to help manage OUR coast. He has diligently worked on this for a long time and does understand what a terminal groin is. This is our coast and we should be allowed to consider appropiate tools to provide for us that live along the coast. What interest or knowledge does a lawyer/farmer/politican from Chapel Hill have? Speaker Hackney, you should be ashamed of your actions, you are not representing the residents of NC or even the visitors that come to the NC coast.
Ray says:
Bert, the coast does not belong to just the residents of coastal Carolina; and, I’m pleased to inform you that Senator Basnight is not in favor of terminal groins along our beaches, except at inlets. Finally, our local elected leaders who support a groin on the beach at Nags Head do not represent the majority of Dare residents in this matter.