WILMINGTON, N.C. -- WILMINGTON, N.C.- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wilmington District has awarded a significant contract to Norfolk Dredging Company for the ‘Carolina Beach and Vicinity’ Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project. The contract, awarded on May 8, 2025, totals $23,517,200.00, including all options.
Securing a contractor for this critical project proved challenging due to dredging availability in Fiscal Year 2025. Following unsuccessful bidding earlier in the fiscal year, USACE and its partners are pleased to announce this award for Fiscal Year 2026.
This vital CSRM project is cost shared with both the Towns of Carolina and Kure Beach; and is designed to significantly reduce the risk to infrastructure along the coast of ‘Carolina Beach and Vicinity’ from the impacts of hurricanes and coastal storms.
Beyond its primary function of mitigating coastal erosion and safeguarding property against hurricane and storm damage, CSRM projects offer a range of additional benefits. Nourishing and widening an eroding beach can:
- Protect threatened or endangered plant species within the dune ecosystem.
- Safeguard crucial habitat located behind dunes or adjacent to beaches.
- Generate or restore habitat lost due to erosion, benefiting sea turtles, shorebirds, and other beach-dwelling organisms.
- Establish new nesting sites for endangered sea turtles and spawning grounds for various marine species.
All beach nourishment activities will be conducted within the established environmental window which is 16 November through 30 April. The work will involve dredging and strategically placing beach-quality sand along the shoreline of the project.
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U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS –WILMINGTON DISTRICT
69 DARLINGTON AVE, WILMINGTON, N.C. 28403
WWW.SAW.USACE.ARMY.MIL
Release no. 25-004