Dare County sand fencing project underway
Published November 26, 2007 by adminYou’ll be seeing the countywide sand fencing project underway from Duck to Hatteras Island in the upcoming months.
The three-year pilot project is aimed at stabilizing our precious dune line, but is not a permanent solution, according to manager Lee Wrenn of Dare County’s Shoreline Management Commission. Wrenn stated that sand fencing and vegetation does build a protective barrier and buys some time against long-term erosion.
While spindly in appearance, sand fencing is a simple but amazing technique for catching blowing sand, which is stopped by the thin slats of fence and drops where it stops, eventually creating a ridge and place for vegetation to take hold.
Installation and planting of approximately 16,000 feet of sand fencing and sea oats and American beach grass during the first year will help keep our diminishing dune line in place.
Spots that are in most need will be addressed first, and will be paid for in each of the three years by $185,000 interest collected during collection of the 1% shoreline protection tax which did not last long in Dare County.
The “sand tax,” which raised $4.67 million, was implemented to pay for beach nourishment but was repealed in six months.
About 18,000 feet of sand fence is installed each year, primarily on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands to help keep the ocean form encroaching onto Rt. 12, said Allen Russell, maintenance Engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
Many thanks to the Shoreline Commission for raising the idea to use sand tax interest for the worthy use. And as always, the tireless efforts of the NCDOT are much appreciated for their diligence in keeping our roads safe and open for traffic on these fragile strips of sand we call home.
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