flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

N.C.’s Outer Banks’ communities struggle for ways to keep the sea from overrunning them

Codes and Standards

N.C.’s Outer Banks’ communities struggle for ways to keep the sea from overrunning them

Tax hikes for beach replenishment offer temporary solution.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | March 25, 2021

Courtesy Pixabay

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 | Feb 16, 2016

New York City implements new crane safety plan following deadly accident

The plan includes restrictions on crawler cranes during windy conditions.

Resiliency | Feb 16, 2016

Obama establishes federal earthquake risk management standard

The standard requires federal agencies to use earthquake-resistant design provisions in current building codes.

Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2016

Huge fraud case involving alleged engineering impostors uncovered in California

Hundreds of buildings may have to be demolished.  

Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2016

New York governor makes emergency design-build authorization

The declaration was issued in response to Winter Storm Jonas which dumped over 18 inches of snow in parts of the state.

Green | Jan 29, 2016

USGBC names top 10 states for LEED green building

Illinois leads the list for the third straight year.

Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2016

Dept. of Energy releases decision guides for plug and process loads

Plug and process loads consume about 30% of the primary energy in U.S. commercial buildings today.

Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016

ConsensusDocs releases new multi-party IPD agreement and joining agreement

The documents serve as a comprehensive revision of previous IPD agreement

Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016

State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes

The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.

Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016

Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association

The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021