North Carolina awards over $9.39m in coastal storm damage grants

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is awarding more than $9.39 million for five projects in coastal North Carolina for beach and dune renourishment. The funds are from the state's coastal storm damage mitigation fund.

The state agency received five applications for the funding, and all applicants were awarded grants. The applicants are matching the state grant funding with more than $44 million in local government funds.

The largest awards went to Dare County, which will receive $3.6 million for nourishment at Buxton and $2 million for Avon Beach. The Town of Oak Island will receive $3 million for its beach nourishment project. Other grants were awarded to Carteret County for a beach nourishment design and to Currituck County for a beach management plan.

Governor Josh Stein stated that the grants will help preserve the state’s coastline and keep communities safe. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson added that by restoring beaches and dunes, the projects will make coastal communities more resilient to future storms. The grants were awarded based on criteria including environmental, social, and economic benefits.