Proposed channel improvements to be done by the Corps of 

 Engineers include (a) stabilization of Oregon Inlet with 

 jetties, (b) a channel through the ocean bar at Oregon Inlet, 

 (c) a channel from Oregon Inlet through Roanoke Sound to 

 Wanchese and (d) a channel through Roanoke Sound to and 

 through Albemarle Sound in deep water near the northern 

 end of Croatan Sound. The Corps would also deepen and 

 enlarge Wanchese harbor if the project is approved. 



A bigger harbor and 

 improved channels 



( Continued from page 1) 



Ward, seafood industries consultant of the N. C. 

 Department of Natural and Economic Resources. 

 "If we lose the state project in the General Assem- 

 bly, we may lose the whole ball game," he said. 



Appropriations must be made during this legis- 

 lative session to meet stipulations made when the 

 land was deeded to the state. Those stipulations 

 require that construction on the complex begin 

 before Dec. 31, 1976. 



The state project, aimed at developing an area 

 around an improved Wanchese harbor, would pro- 

 vide space and facilities for lease by the State Ports 

 Authority to such private businesses as processing, 

 fresh product handling, marine supplies, fuel, boat 

 repair, ice or other support services. If funded, the 

 state would provide water, waste collection and 

 treatment, street access, shore power, bulkhead, 

 docking facilities and land for lease to private de- 

 velopment. 



The complex would be located on approximately 

 20 acres of land which private landowners and 

 Dare County donated. It is designed to meet tough 

 pollution control standards, including vessel dis- 

 charge outlets to a central disposal system. 



The federal project, to be carried out by the 

 Corps of Engineers, would include deepening and 

 enlarging Wanchese harbor to 15 acres, 14 feet 

 deep, stabilizing Oregon Inlet with dual jetties and 

 dredging three channels, one from Oregon Inlet 

 to Wanchese, one from Manteo (Shallowbag) Bay 

 to deep water near the northern end of Croatan 

 Sound and another through the ocean bar at Ore- 

 gon Inlet. 



Total cost of the portion of the project to be de- 

 veloped by the state is estimated at $4.5 million. 

 Estimates are that the federal project will cost 

 from $15 to $20 million. 



The first step in constructing the complex, which 

 is to be administered by the State Ports Authority, 



will be dredging and enlarging the harbor basin. 



A study of how the Wanchese-Oregon Inlet pro- 

 jects might affect the economy of northeastern 

 North Carolina indicates that during the five-year 

 period after construction total capital investment 

 would amount to $30 million and 300 to 400 new 

 jobs would be created. Annual payroll in the area 

 would increase by $2 million. While Dare County 

 would benefit directly, the improvements would 

 benefit the entire coast, especially the northeast 

 sector. 



The N. C. Division of Economic Development, 

 the agency responsible for much of the project co- 

 ordination, notes that with the improvements, Tar- 

 heel fishermen will be encouraged to buy larger, 

 more efficient boats for increased offshore fishing. 

 Total North Carolina landings should increase by 

 33 per cent, the division's food industries develop- 

 ment section estimates. 



Improved waterfront sites, reliable access 

 through Oregon Inlet, reduced risk to boats and 

 more reliable supplies of fish will attract invest- 

 ment to the area by processors, dealers and sup- 

 port industries from in-and out-of-state, the eco- 

 nomic study says. 



According to Ward, the potential for processing 

 beyond sorting and icing is tremendous. 



Already several large out-of-state processors 

 have expressed interest in locating in the Wanchese 

 area, according to Ward. 



According to an economic impact study pre- 

 pared by Randy Gray of the Office of State Plan- 

 ning, other benefits, approaching nearly $1 million 

 per year, could result from savings in running time 

 to and from fishing areas, fewer delays due to sea 

 conditions, reduced damages and vessel losses, 

 more efficient operation of petroleum vessels and 

 increased landings. 



