Public can comment on proposed New River Inlet shoreline protection plan

NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental impact statement examining proposed shoreline and inlet protection measures at the north end of Topsail Island.

The Wilmington District released the draft statement Sept. 4 as part of its review under the National Environmental Policy Act. The study focuses on proposed activities at New River Inlet and surrounding waters in North Topsail Beach.

The environmental review evaluates five alternatives included in the town’s New River Inlet Master Management Plan.

The alternatives range from continuing current beach and inlet management to abandoning federally authorized management and retreating from the area. The action alternatives include beach nourishment alone, beach nourishment combined with construction of a terminal groin, and a plan that combines beach nourishment, a terminal groin and inlet management.

The town’s preferred option is Alternative 5, which would include all three measures.

The study area covers about 3.2 square miles, including a 1.5-mile stretch at the north end of Topsail Island and a 1-mile stretch at the south end of Onslow Beach. The area includes nearshore ocean waters, tidal salt marshes, lagoonal estuaries and the New River Inlet system.

The Army Corps is seeking comments from the public, government agencies, tribal nations and other interested parties. Comments will be considered as the agency develops a final environmental impact statement, which is expected to be released in March 2027.

A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at North Topsail Beach Town Hall, 2008 Loggerhead Court. People attending the hearing may provide written or verbal comments on the draft statement.

Written comments will be accepted through Oct. 19.

Comments can be submitted electronically through the Army Corps’ Regulatory Request System or by mail to Emily Hughes at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, 69 Darlington Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403.

The Army Corps said comments submitted during the process will become part of the administrative record and may be subject to public release under the Freedom of Information Act.