the federally improved Intracoastal Waterway o 



The purpose of the Bsard's study was to obtain data which would 

 contribute to the advancement of the technical knowledge of the pro- 

 cesses of Ncrth Carolina beach and inlet changes, be useful in plann- 

 ing for the proper development of the beaches as recreational areas 

 and serve as a guide for further cooperative studieso The Board re- 

 viewed the geological history of the area and studied the tides, 

 currents, winds and wave action, changes in hydrographic detail, move- 

 ment of beach material and effect of storms on the shore o 



The Board concluded that (a) the data obtained, although inad- 

 equate for the formulation of definite conclusions concerning the 

 technical phases of shore processes, will be of value in connection 

 witti laboratory and field studies being undertaken by the Board for 

 the further development of the science of shore protection; (b) the 

 ocean shore line of North Carolina is, in general, retreating slowly 

 and will continue to retreat; (c) protection of the entire length 

 of the study area is unwarranted at this time; (d) existing dunes 

 afford valuable protection and should be preserved; (e) threatened 

 structures or low portions of the barrier can be protected by dunes 

 constructed artificially or formed by sand fences or planting; (f ) 

 histories of accretion and erosion of the shore line should be con- 

 sidered in planning future development; (g) stabilization of inlets 

 is generally impracticable, but partial control of inlet changes may 

 be effected by dune building to prevent breaching or hy excavation 

 to facilitate breaching by natural forces where desiredo 



The BDard further concluded that the justification of protective 

 measures for Fort Macon Point may be the subject of further study if 

 desired ty the State, that at Vifrightsville Beach existing protective 

 measures should be maintained, that the north shore of Jfesonboro 

 Inlet should be stabilized ty revetaient, and that closure of Moore 

 Inlet would be beneficial to 'P^l'ightsville ;feacho 



The Board also stated that, as the application by the State of 

 North Carolina for this study was made prior to enactment of legis- 

 lation requiring a statement of the Board's opinion as to the public 

 interest involved in any improvement, no item was included for study 

 of estimated costs and benefits on which to tase an evaluation of 

 such interesto The State, informed of the additional work necessary 

 to evaluate the public interest, indicated it desired no additional 

 work under the study for this purpose and agreed to the scope of the 

 reporto The Board therefore was unable at the time to state its 

 opinion as to the extent of public interest, the advisability of ad- 

 opting a Federal project for participation in the first cost of pro- 

 tective works, or what share, if any, of the expense of such works 

 should be borne by the United States o It is the opinion of the 

 Bsard that under existing law no Federal interest is involved in any 

 of the improvements considered » If additional cooperative studies 

 of localities on the North Carolina coast are arranged, they will 

 include when requested by the cooperating agency the determination 

 of possible Federal aid under the provisions of Public Law 727, 

 79th Congress, approved 13 August 19^6o 



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