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It has come to my attention that Figure Eight Island, located in Wrightsville, has a severe problem with coastal erosion in which has increased dramatically throughout the years. The water in this private island has risen each year to about one-tenth of an inch. As a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, qualifying me as an expert in planning, designing and building jetties, seawalls and other such structures, I have had an opportunity to review this issue. It is well-known, to both the residents in Figure Eight Island and to the Environmentalists, that North Carolina has banned permanent structures in order to maintain the water away from houses. With this said, residents of this 1,300 acres still insist in being allowed to have jetties- a protective structure of stone or concrete which extends from the shore into the water, or a seawall- a protective structure build in the water, in order to keep the water as far away from their homes as possible. If by any chance the structures created are not successful, the residents will pay to have them removed as well as constructed.
As a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, I have deep respect for the law constructed in 1985 stating that North Carolina bans any sort of structure by the shore. Not only is the law in the way, but major effects will take place if a structure is constructed. For example, any perpendicular structure interrupts the flow of the sand, which causes erosion further down in the island. It will increase the rate of erosion, which is not something needed. It is also very expensive to build and to remove, if it is indeed unsuccessful. If jetties are planned to be built, it cannot be removed. By constructing a seawall or jetties, it will destroy the natural beauty of the inlet shoreline. It will also block entrance to the public beach, unless an opening is left, which is highly doubted.
I am well aware of the perceptive of the home owners and their concern about their...