[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 2013, the state of North Carolina, coastal municipalities and county governments came together in a joint effort to create funds for emergency dredging to keep shallow draft inlets open and navigable. Such inlets provide highways to the sea for recreational and commercial boaters. This emergency funding ended at the end of 2013; however, thanks to a bill drafted by state legislators, the state will match funds pulled together by local municipalities, city and county governments to provide for maintenance dredging of such inlets. The Carolina Beach Inlet Association is devoted to showing area leaders the value and impact that shallow draft inlets have to our communities.
The Carolina Beach Inlet Association has been working diligently to keep Carolina Beach Inlet open. As a result of their efforts legislators have set aside funding to match local municipal funds used for maintenance dredging. The association has also indicated that they will be more than willing to help other groups interested in securing funds to keep their inlets open.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with Robert Schoonmaker, the president of Carolina Beach Inlet Association, to discuss their current efforts. During the meeting, Robert stated, “The economic, safety and quality-of-life impacts of keeping our inlets open are substantial to our state and coastal communities.” If you own a boat or access the ocean via any shallow draft inlet, Robert recommends that you write or email your city, county and state leaders voicing your desire to keep our inlets open.
Some of the shallow draft inlets at risk include Carolina Beach Inlet (New Hanover County), Lockwood Folly Inlet (Brunswick County), New Topsail Inlet (Pender County), Bogue Inlet (Carteret County) and New River Inlet (Pender and Onslow Counties). Oregon Inlet is also at risk of losing or not having enough funds available for maintenance.
To understand the economic impacts of inlets, NC Sea Grant performed economic impact studies and found there are significant impact on jobs, federal, state, and local taxes and fees associated with navigable inlets and waterways. In a pronounced view, one study showed that the loss of these inlets would cost $130 million in lost economic output (sales); 1,623 jobs and $50 million lost in wages and salaries; $14 million lost in federal tax revenues; and $8.6 million lost in state and local tax revenues. Additionally, a Beach and Inlet Management study showed NC dollars supported by dollars spent on inlet dredging equates to 10 NC dollars supported by every one dollar spent on dredging Carolina Beach Inlet.
The Carolina Beach Inlet Association has used studies like these and is working on receiving additional informative, detailed studies to share with local, county and state leaders. To join Carolina Beach Inlet Association in its fight to maintain inlets, visit www.carolinabeachinlet.org or contact Capt. Robert Schoonmaker at (910) 264-1807. Join the association as it works to open eyes to keep inlets open, safe and navigable.