Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice on May 17, 2026
With oceanfront homes collapsing and beach erosion an increasing concern, the Currituck County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve a resolution backing state legislative efforts to repeal the hardened structures ban at their May 18 meeting.
In expressing support for the NC Senate Bill 1009, which would repeal the ban, the resolution states that “North Carolina is one of the only U.S. coastal states with a long-standing ban on hardened structure,” leaving beach nourishment, which the resolution characterizes as “a costly and temporary solution to erosion…as one of the only tools available to counties to combat coastal erosion.”
The resolution also notes that Currituck is “one of eight North Carolina counties bordering the Atlantic Ocean with pristine beaches that are an integral part of our community’s economy and way of life.”
SB 1009, which was filed on April 30, was introduced by District 1 Senator Bobby Hanig, District 3 Senator Bob Brinson and District 6 Senator Michael Lazzara. On May 4, it passed First Reading and was referred to the Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee.
North Carolina’s hardened structures ban has been in place since the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) went into effect in 1985. There is an exception allowing a groin that is less than 50 percent damaged to be repaired.
In the wake of multiple homes collapsing in Buxton since last fall, The Outer Banks Voice – A fifth house falls in Buxton on Oct. 28 Dare County is preparing to repair the southernmost groin in Buxton, and has received two of the three necessary permits.
With bids for that groin repair project due on June 4, Dare County Manager recently stated that the county expects to receive the last permit needed for that work. In the next few weeks, the County will also begin beach nourishment projects in Avon and Buxton on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Outer Banks Voice – Dare County announces start dates for Buxton, Avon beach nourishment
On May 26, Currituck County will host a public meeting in Corolla to present information on its Beach Management Plan, with Ken Wilson of Coastal Protection Engineer providing an update from county’s Shoreline Stability Study. Currituck County is the only coastal county in North Carolina that has not used beach nourishment to maintain its shoreline.
Comments
Ed
Good stuff. Get this done, then the next thing is to change that ridiculous law saying occupancy tax money can only go to engineers and sand pumping companies. Those guys are ripping us off for 9 figures. We don’t need more sand.
Lisa
So a couple important things you didn’t address – what was the original reason for North Carolina’s hardened structures ban? It’s there for a reason, so what is the goal of that ban and what is OBX losing if it’s repealed? And why has Currituck resisted beach nourishment? Is it just money or is there another reason they keep holding out? Currituck often is the outlier on these issues, so what was the reason they have not acted to protect their beaches like others have? These are important questions that should be answered in this article. Telling us “Currituck is one of eight North Carolina counties bordering the Atlantic Ocean with pristine beaches that are an integral part of our community’s economy and way of life” is not providing anyone with information they didn’t already know.
Jeff Walker
Considering jetties, seawalls. and terminal groins only concentrate wave energy at the shore and therefore make erosion even worse, it’ll be fun to watch. Go figure the repeal was filed by a bunch of carpetbaggers from up north who refuse to learn any lessons from hurricane Sandy
Almost
Well Currituck almost got it right but guess they didn’t read pros and cons of hardened structures which not only increase erosion to adjacent areas but like the $$$ and ineffective sand, these structures also impact wildlife and natural habitats. They’ve been smart about not wasting $ on sand, that needs to be replaced and must be a match.
There are international models from wave mitigation, coral reefs, relocation of vulnerable homes and some entire communities. Odd how many OF house add ons, new construction (permits) & million $ plus sales since beach concerns have taken the spotlight. Whatever happened to “buyer beware”
Dylan
Hard structures such as groins and jetties interrupt the natural longshore drift of sand from north to south. This actually worsens erosion both north and south of the structure while it does “protect” a limited stretch of beach. So this approach would require many, many such structures up and down the shorelines. Many miles of these things.
Ed
Hey Mark, could you do an article on the 10 things internet experts on the OBX literally pull out of their a## most often? Pedestrians cause traffic jams, jetties don’t work, the Democrats are responsible, the MC bridge has to turn a profit, you can’t have beach nourishment without public parking… it’s exhausting. Try doing some research, people.
Jeff?
Just fyi to Jeff the current Currituck BOC is not -a- “filled by carpetbaggers” but residents; b- some like O’Neal have been recycled since 1994 and he still doesn’t research facts- btw all BOC addresses are available in their profiles. I get your frustration with the lack of due diligence (hmm didn’t say stupidity) but it is home grown poor decisions
OBX Dan
“an integral part of our community’s economy and way of life” aka “a critical source of welfare payments to the mainland ‘takers’” who do nothing to protect or preserve their golden goose
Chris Midcalf
As a former resident of Sandbrige Beach right up the beach, I can tell you this from experience. The Army Corps of Engineers approved bulkheads in Sandbridge. People pointed to Va. Beach and its boardwalk. Va Beach still pumped in sand every spring. So here we go. Erosion was worse, as the water acted like a big shovel when waves hit the bulkhead. Next thing these things are falling in the water, as the water loosened them from the bottom. After all that the city approved sand replenishment
JimBob Peckerstain
Build ye groin all ye want, Neptune will still take what he wishes
AL
The hardened structure ban was enacted by Democrat Senator Bassnite. If you look at every state from Maine to Florida, every one of them have jetties at their inlets (except North Carolina). Guess what…..they never had to dredge an inlet after the jetties were put in place. Nor do they have to do any beach nourishment. Repeal the hardened structure ban and build the jetties and protect not only the beaches but the fishing communities in Wanchese and Hatteras who use the inlets. And make all the northerners pay for the work….they are the ones who benefit from the beach nourishment.
Pal
Al,
Those “northerners” are the only thing stopping your property taxes from being quadruple what they are. Most come down for a little relaxation and already spend plenty on rental taxes, meal taxes etc. Maybe stop the Civil War mentality of North vs. South about every local matter?
Jay
Property taxes weren’t quadruped before y’all got here pal. We just got alot of us a chronic case of common sense down here and we feel most of you fellers and gals don’t. We don’t care bout the civil war.