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Buxton added to study of Hatteras nourishment
The north end of Buxton often floods in storms. (U.S. Geological Survey)
In a formal request for engineers to submit their qualifications, Buxton has been added to the troublesome Rodanthe area for a beach nourishment study.
Last month, commissioners told County Manager Bobby Outten to look into the possibility of beach nourishment at the vulnerable S-curves and south into Rodanthe.
The request for qualifications says it is looking for a firm to perform planning, analysis, engineering design and environmental investigations. It says the projects are intended to protect N.C. 12 and public utilities from overwash, inundation and undermining during storms.
N.C. 12 at Mirlo Beach has routinely been damaged by overwash from storms and surf. The northern end of Buxton also suffers from a lack of protection.
Even though it passed more than 200 miles offshore at the end of October, Hurricane Sandy produced enough wind and surf to extensively damage N.C.12. Parts of the road are open, but the North Carolina Department of Transportation is still working on the Mirlo Beach segment.
NCDOT said earlier last week that the road could be fully opened by Christmas.
The deadline for submitting qualifications is Jan. 11:
County of Dare – Beach Nourishment Projects
Attn: Susan Beck, Purchasing Agent
954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Room 121 (delivery)
P.O. Box 1000 (mail)
Manteo, NC 27954
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Buxton says:
Study?
Do you really have to study that Buxton needs nourishment?
Wtf? Stand on the beach and look around that’s all the study you need to do.
Jeff Dawson says:
indeed.. Buxton needs nourishment badly! We need to protect the highway and all the tax producing businesses along our shoreline.
sailor says:
Cost vs. benefits? What is the cost for endless sand pumping vs. the benefits to US taxpayers? Or is this a case where North Carolina is going to pay?
Sea level is rising, so how many millions of dollars will be spent to “save” Buxton for another year or two?
Many people say that Dare county is a “donor” county to North Carolina, but how much money is involved? What percent of Dare County taxes are contributed from areas south of the Bonner Bridge?
OBX Fan says:
The cost of continual nourishment and repairs far exceeds any tax benefits. It’s good money after bad. The only reason to nourish the beaches or repair Route 12 is because Hatteras is a nice place to be and its worth it to pay a premium to maintain it. But it is certainly not a winning investment from a purely economic point of view.
Hank says:
Yesss it is about time, sweet sand is on the way. I think they should also relocate the plovers, which will mean better beach access as we can drive on the beach year round.
I hear the birds have all but disappeared along with the beach as they have nowhere to nest anymore. It is inhumane to let them suffer out there amd I think the best plan is to relocate the birds further south to Frisco. Afterall it is getting really cold.
Are we allowed to pick them up and move them? Better check the rules on that one, but regardless would be great to see them happy again.
Salvo Duck Hunter says:
Remove all the debris from Buxton beach (old groins, rock and sandbags etc) nourish the beach there one time and then warn all the landowners they better think about relocating. Have any new owners sign a disclaimer that they are responsible for cleanup when the ocean destroys their property and that the government is not going bail them out anymore . The ocean is coming and it is not going to be stopped. If you build, buy or own precarious property that is your choice. Please don’t ask me to financially help you to support something that is not viable. Owing oceanfront property on barrier island beach is like owning a car on HI, it is not going to last forever.
Save the money and build a bridge from the Haulover to Buxton Harbor.
Bill Aardappel says:
I agree somewhat with salvo duck hunter. They need to get rid of the ocean front houses and spend the money on some bigger dunes like what’s up by the bonner bridge. That to me seems like a better idea rather then tax payiers having to pay for it. 99% of the people on the outerbanks shouldn’t have to pay for the 1% who can. And most of them don’t even live in Nc.
..... says:
it’s time for those that do not live here to stop commenting on stuff that does not affect them
John Carl says:
I purchased a home in Buxton to retire to after spending much time in the outer banks. The protective dunes had been their a long time as well as other dunes along the strip south of Oregon Inlet. While people complain about cost, would you rather have yoir government spending money on something that creates enjoyment for individuals or spending money on additional weapons systems.
Carol Dawson says:
Its hard to understand the comments above when they clearly have no idea what they are talking about. Do you know that 80% of all people live near water? That one month of forgein aid money could nourish, stabilize all 42 miles of rt 12? This is the birthplace of America, this island has 400 years of history. It’s insanity for anyone to think that business owners should move their buildings or a 42 mile bridge should be built. Salvo duck hunter, research the money facts please, you aren’t paying a dime for us, but the way the federal government wastes money on repairs and only reacting to these disasters is something you should be angry about. I am too! There are methods of stabilizing these beaches along Hatteras Island, the one time cost of fixing the problems instead of reacting to them every time. The money being wasted dredging Oregon inlet never seems to get any criticism . Do you know it has been hundreds of MILLIONS. Of federal tax dollars? Everyone has the right to an opinion but before posting a comment maybe some homework instead of directly going to ” Orrin Pilkey theory of barrier islands”
Rodger Jones says:
I have vacationed on the Outer Banks for 28 years. I hate to hear about Buxton. I am renting a house off South Tower Circle. Is there beach left at that location? I can’t bear the thought of not spending a week in your great town and eating tons of Uglies.