Communities along North Carolina’s Outer Banks are grappling with how to prevent beaches, and ultimately the settlements themselves, from washing away.
One solution, beach replenishment in which sand is harvested offshore and pumped onto eastern-facing beachfronts, is a costly, temporary measure. The Town of Avon, with a few hundred full-time residents, needs at least $11 million to stop its main road from washing away.
To raise the funds, Dare County proposed increasing Avon’s property taxes by almost 50% for some residents. But that plan would only stave off the problem for about five years. Other communities along the Outer Banks face similar challenges.
In light of major storms that have pummeled the sandbar island chain in recent years, along with rising sea levels, some suggest the government would be better served to pay residents to relocate inland. One Avon resident quoted in a New York Times Magazine article said he is telling his children to leave the community.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 30, 2017
AIA revises architect scope documents in latest contract form release
Design-bid-build forms last updated in 2007.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2017
Boston’s Old South Church asks tower developer for $19 million for casting shade
Request highlights ongoing conflict between developers and residents over right to sunshine.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2017
Asphalt roofing design guide now available in digital form
Recently updated Modified Bitumen Design Guide can be viewed on smartphones and tablets.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2017
Energy efficiency investments on the rise; will increase next year
Survey of facility management executives shows onsite renewables, energy storage will spike in 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2017
AIA contract document updates include new BIM, digital data provisions
Documents are structurally different from 2007, 2008 versions.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2017
IAPMO seeks proposals for 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code
The deadline is March 16, 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2017
States impacted by hurricanes are improving their energy efficiency policies
Florida, Texas, rise in ACEEE state energy efficiency scorecard.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2017
Updated versions of EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released
Open-source apps include enhancements for urban-scale modeling.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2017
New, comprehensive insurance exhibit released in AIA 2017 contract document updates
Will allow AIA to make updates more frequently as insurance market changes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2017
New AIA contract document designates responsibilities for sustainable projects
Roles of architects, contractors outlined in E204–2017.
