WILMINGTON, N.C. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a terminal groin and concurrent beach nourishment project proposed by the Village of Bald Head Island on March 4 at 6 p.m. in the International Longshoreman’s Association Hall, 211 West 10th Street, Southport, N.C.
This project’s main purpose is to address erosion at the western end of South Beach in order to protect public infrastructure, roads, homes, beaches, dunes and wildlife habitat.
Additionally, the Corps of Engineers has extended its solicitation of public comments on this proposal through March 17, 2014. All comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers in its determination on whether to issue modify condition or deny a permit for this proposal. Comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, recreation, and all other appropriate public interest factors. The comments will be reviewed and published in the Final EIS and the Record of Decision (ROD), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments will also be used to determine the need for an additional public hearing and to determine the overall public interest.
The Draft EIS and the Public Notice are available on the Wilmington District’s Regulatory Division web site: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/MajorProjects.
The initial Public Notice, dated Jan. 10, 2014, and the amended Public Notice, dated Feb. 13, 2014, is available on the web site: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/PublicNotices.
Written comments may be sent to Mr. Ronnie Smith, Wilmington Regulatory Field Office, and 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, N.C. 28403. Comments must be received by close of business on March 17, 2014 in order to be considered. Questions can be directed to Smith at (910) 251‑4829.