Petition: Currituck’s beach and future economy require immediate action

To: Currituck County Board of Commissioners

From: Residents, Property Owners, Business Leaders, and vacationers of Corolla, North Carolina

We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to address Currituck beach erosion.

It has been clear for more than a decade that sections of Currituck’s shoreline are rapidly receding. As the beach has narrowed, its ability to heal itself was eliminated. Surf has taken pools and stairs. Core dunes, built in the 1930s, have had yards sheared off. Usable beach at high tide has disappeared. See examples at: https://shorturl.at/ltGb0

Vacationers are starting to go elsewhere, and Currituck will soon join Buxton on the evening news. This slow-motion destruction of Currituck’s economic engine has been obvious to anyone who stood on the sand of the affected areas. IMMEDIATE and URGENT ACTION is required.

The Currituck Board of Commissioners (BoC) has studied this problem. Starting in 2019 they executed a contract for Shoreline Stability Studies. The Board of Commissioners (BoC) then took an annual briefing for 5 years.

The studies confirmed what residents and beachgoers already knew: Currituck’s beach is disappearing. The studies are posted here: https://currituckcountync.gov/shoreline-stability-study/

No action has been taken to address the issue.

The 2022 study, briefed in early 2023, recommended creation of a Beach Management Plan (BMP). At the time, Currituck did not have internal staff available to create a BMP and another contract was executed. The kickoff meeting to create the Currituck BMP took place on 29 April 2024. To proceed, the contractor asked for Currituck’s priorities while presenting a list of priorities other counties had used. The BoC provided the requested priorities 6 months later. They were the same priorities the contractor suggested in April with minor additions.

Meanwhile, every other county or township in the Outer Banks has acted. They have requested and received grants. They engaged State legislators. Contracts were executed. Sand was moved. Economies were protected.

2025 storms have accelerated beach and property destruction. In the most vulnerable areas, just the difference from June to October has been breathtaking. We urge the Board of Commissioners to immediately take the following actions:

1. Spend available Occupancy Tax (OT) funds for emergency dune and sand replacement to protect the most threatened areas and structures.

2. Allocate the majority of future OT revenue, above the state-required marketing share, to Currituck erosion response and mitigation.

3. Pursue state, federal, and coastal resiliency grants with urgency. Begin permitting actions for the needed actions ASAP.

4. Visit affected beaches within 30 days to see conditions firsthand and meet with residents and business owners.

5. Turbo charge formal planning for long-term beach management solutions while simultaneously implementing emergency, short-term protective measures, If necessary, hire staff to work BMP long term. That would include immediate attention and work on permits that will be required for beach restoration solutions.

6. Make decisions about Currituck’s future. ASAP. Some decisions will be unpopular. Make decisions and announce them.

Beach residents, property owners, and businesses stand ready to partner with Currituck County —to identify critical erosion points, to work funding options, to assist with grant writing, to help with BMP management, and to consider fair and balanced tax contributions.

The studies are complete. The problem is now exquisitely documented and accelerating with each storm. The need for action is urgent.

For more information, email [email protected]