FAQ, or Frequently Asked Questions, are posted here to help answer the most common questions. If you have other questions you would like answered, please email us at savethebeaches@charter.net.

1. Isn’t it just a few houses that have a severe erosion problem?
2. What has caused the beaches to erode?
3. How about beach nourishment?
4. Is there any permanent solution for beach erosion?
5. How does this soft shore technique work?
6. How much will a soft shore project for North Topsail beaches cost?
7. How will a soft shore project impact the environment?
8. What do we need to do at North Topsail to use this technique?
9. How can I help?

1. Isn’t it just a few houses that have a severe erosion problem?

A. No, over the years, rows of houses have fallen into the sea. The houses currently being demolished had rows of dunes and long beaches in front of them.
Click here to go back to top.

2. What has caused the beaches to erode?

A, Dredging in the inlet and offshore create pits in the ocean floor. Sand from the beaches falls into these pits. It’s much like how digging at the base of a cliff can cause the cliff to collapse. In addition, dredging also disturbs the currents that normally deposit sand and build the beaches. Rip currents are created which strip even more sand from the beaches. Hurricanes and storms feed these currents leading to even greater beach erosion at North Topsail.
Click here to go back to top.

3. How about beach nourishment?

A. The beaches on North Topsail have been “re-nourished” several times in recent years. The fact that nourishment is being proposed (yet again) is testament to the fact that this methodology produces no lasting solution to erosion. Because so much money has been wasted on past nourishment projects, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) prohibits North Topsail from receiving federal funds for dredging and nourishment. The town of North Topsail Beach is pursuing a beach nourishment project which would include widening, deepening and straightening the New River Inlet channel. They are hoping that placing the channel more centrally would alleviate beach erosion problems. The cost for the first year is estimated at $45 million with an on-going annual maintenance cost of $6 million to $8 million. There is no federal money available for this project and state and local funds would have to be raised. It will be very difficult to raise the money.
Click here to go back to top.

4. Is there any permanent solution for beach erosion?

A. There is a “soft shore” technique that has been used in both Florida and Michigan with great success. Within months of being installed the beaches had increased in size and there was no apparent negative impact to adjoining beaches. Some of these projects are 30+ years old. None of them have had to have any ongoing maintenance. Because the soft shore technology uses the natural water flow and wave movement to build beaches, the beach is naturally maintained. Soft shore projects by Holmberg Technologies in other parts of the world have been just as successful.
Click here to go back to top.

5. How does this soft shore technique work?

A. This technique uses undercurrent stabilizers that are shore-perpendicular low-profile structures. Stabilizer consists of grout filled, geotextile tubes. The oval cross-sectional shape of the stabilizers reduces the amount of wave reflection and turbulence. The stabilizers re-establish the proper bottom profile of the beach and taper down in size as they extend into the water. The stabilizers have a very different design than groins. Once the stabilizers are in place, the ocean deposits sand and covers them completely. They become part of the beach. More detailed and technical information on this methodology can be found at the following website:

http://www.erosion.com
Click here to go back to top.

6. How much will a soft shore project for North Topsail beaches cost?

A. A Soft shore project for north Topsail would cost less than $2M per mile of restored beach. This is a ONE TIME cost! Soft shore technology provides a permanent restoration of the beach. There is no on-going maintenance required for the soft shore solution. In contrast, the currently proposed beach nourishment project is projected to cost $45M, all of which must be borne by Onslow County tax payers. Additionally, the beach nourishment project would require an on-going maintenance cost of more than $6M per year to attempt to maintain the original $45M nourishment project.
Click here to go back to top.

7. How will a soft shore project impact the environment?

A. The technology has generated favorable environmental impacts. Plant and animal life in the coastal zone has benefited by habitat restoration. Species of special concern, such as nesting sea turtles, now populate treated areas where once nesting was impossible. Dramatic increases in benthic life as a result of system installation have been monitored on treated shorelines. Studies have shown that the effect of all the previously-completed Holmberg Projects has been to return the shore to its natural condition before man-made impacts destroyed it. Part of the project requirement is to provide for evaluation of the project’s effect on the eco-system. This requirement is not from fear of negative impact, but to enable quantification of the positive impact.
Click here to go back to top.

8. What do we need to do at North Topsail to use this technique?

A. Current Coastal Resource Commission rules prohibit this method. A change in the rule or a new law would be needed for North Topsail to have the opportunity to use the “soft shore” technique. The North Carolina Tourism Industry Association (NCTIA) has decided to provide a lobbyist to work with North Carolina legislators to get a law passed requiring a one-time soft shore project for North Topsail beaches. The lobbyist, Connie Wilson, needs the support of North Topsail property owners to get this bill introduced and passed. To support Connie’s efforts, we need to:

i. Develop a strong base of property owners who want to see this project completed. This support group will be needed to email, telephone and write various politicians and demand their support for a Holmberg Project for North Topsail beaches.
ii. Present the need for this project to various support groups in the area to get their help.
iii. Convince the Onslow County Board of Commissioners to request a quotation and project plan from Holmberg Technologies as an alternative to the currently-proposed nourishment project.
Click here to go back to top.

9. How can I help?

A. Go to our Signup page and fill out the information requested. Your information will be kept in strict confidence and only used for the purposes of this campaign. If you have further questions, you can contact us via email at savethebeaches@charter.net

You will receive a “call to action” email when your demand for a Holmberg Project for North Topsail beaches project needs to be presented to specific leaders.

If you want to be active in spreading the word and participating in local activities, include that information in your email message.

Click here to go back to top.