News
Beach Nourishment Debate Rages
RALEIGH — Since the mid-1960s, the state and coastal-area local governments have spent more than $27 million to counteract natural and storm-related land erosion, primarily by dredging sand from channels and moving it onto North Carolina beaches. The federal government has contributed more than $40 million. While beach nourishment is far from new, the debate remains heated between detractors who argue the projects are expensive and fight a losing battle that’s damaging to the environment, and proponents who insist nourishment is critical to the economic vitality of beach communities.