Wanchese Implements Living Shorelines Project

News Summary

Wanchese is set to enhance its coastal ecosystems with a new living shorelines project funded by the North Carolina Coastal Federation. This project will include the construction of multiple living shoreline sills designed to protect local habitats and reduce erosion. Local contractor Total Marine Services will lead the work, which aims to serve as a demonstration site for property owners and will provide training for real estate professionals. Additionally, funding is available for property owners who wish to invest in similar eco-friendly initiatives.

Living Shorelines Project to Enhance Wanchese Community

Wanchese is taking a big step towards protecting its beautiful coastlines with a new and exciting project! The North Carolina Coastal Federation has recently secured funding to begin construction on several new living shoreline sills in the local area. These environmentally-friendly initiatives aim to enhance coastal habitats while curbing sound-side erosion, making it a win-win for both the environment and the community.

What Are Living Shorelines?

Before diving into the details of the construction, let’s chat about what exactly living shorelines are. These natural approaches utilize methods such as protecting salt marshes and even restoring local oyster populations to create a sustainable barrier against erosion. This project in Wanchese involves building three new sills measuring a total of 100 feet near the federation’s office in the Wanchese Marine Industrial Park.

Construction Details

The federation has picked local contractor Total Marine Services to bring this vision to life. They will be constructing a total of five living shoreline sills, made from sustainable materials like stone, shells, wood, granite, and specially-designed oyster castle material. This is a continuation of work that started back in 2018 when two previous sills were completed, also measuring 100 feet each and made from oyster shell bags and oyster domes. This consistent effort underscores the community’s commitment to maintaining the health of local waterways.

Demonstration for Local Property Owners

There’s more to this project than just construction; it aims to serve as a demonstration site for property owners along the soundfront. This area will depict various living shoreline techniques, allowing owners to see firsthand how these solutions can combat erosion and improve water quality. The sills made from wood and granite are already completed, while the oyster castle sill is set to wrap up around mid-July. This construction will transform the space into an outdoor living laboratory for the community to explore.

Training for Real Estate Professionals

But that’s not all! Whitney Jenkins from the Division of Coastal Management is planning to use this demonstration site for training sessions targeted at real estate professionals and contractors. This means that not only will local property owners benefit, but also those involved in real estate will gain knowledge about the importance of living shoreline techniques. This is critical in today’s market, where environmentally-conscious developments are becoming increasingly important.

Funding and Support for Future Projects

An exciting aspect of this project is the financial support available for future living shoreline initiatives across North Carolina. The federation is administering cost-share grant funds from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. This grant allows property owners to receive up to half the cost of living shoreline installations, with amounts reaching up to $5,000. This funding is given on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging many to consider these eco-friendly options.

Streamlined Permitting Process

For those interested in pursuing their own living shoreline projects, there’s good news! The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has revised the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) General Permit for marsh sills. This change has made the permitting process much simpler, enabling more individuals to join in on the effort to protect and enhance our coastal environments.

Conclusion

The ongoing construction and the educational opportunities it brings are a cause for celebration in Wanchese. Residents will soon have the chance to learn about sustainable practices that help preserve their coastline for generations to come. With living shorelines leading the charge, the community’s commitment to conservation shines brightly!