“Being a lifelong resident of Ocean Isle Beach, I have witnessed coastal and shoreline changes that can come with hurricanes, northeastern winter storms, or just strong tides. While Mother Nature will do as she pleases, I have learned over the years that there are things we humans can do to protect, preserve, and work with her to protect our coastline. Storm Damage Mitigation Plans (beach nourishment) has proven to protect and regrow our shoreline when necessary. I have been involved with obtaining a plan of work for Ocean Isle Beach since 1989. We were successful in constructing the first project in 2000 and several successful replenishments since.
Inlet shorelines offer a different set of challenges with the higher currents and multiple forces as channels and shorelines modulate. The construction of a terminal groin has proven successful in stabilizing our eastern end of the island. Shallotte inlet has always been a volatile inlet where ocean front homes are now located on Third Street. Because of prohibition of hardened structures along the NC Coast since the 1970s it took a legislative and environmental challenge to have this law changed. Having spent many years watching homes being moved and occasionally lost I took it as a personal challenge and working with the Town of Ocean Isle Beach and other beach communities this became a reality.
I strive to stay abreast of new technologies and proven actions to preserve the coast we all love and especially my home, Ocean Isle Beach.”
