The Bogue Sound shoreline at Fort Macon State Park needed stabilization and restoration due to ongoing, consistent erosion with no significant accretion of material. Additionally, in the recent past, tropical storm systems have caused rapid short-term erosion that has exacerbated the overall erosion rates. The subject shoreline extends from the USCG base to Tombstone Point at the confluence of Fishing Creek and Fort Macon Creek (Bogue Sound), an approximately 2,654 linear foot stretch of shoreline.
Quible & Associates, P.C., (now WithersRavenel) worked closely with the state park and the nonprofit project sponsor North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) throughout the project and led tours with university classes for educational purposes.
Our team’s role
Our team designed, permitted and oversaw construction for an offshore sill designed to dampen and protect the shoreline from further erosion. We strategically placed gaps and openings in the sill system to allow collection of sand from longshore transport. Earthwork for the project included importing compatible sand fill material to re-shape a slope from the top of a landward advancing erosion escarpment. We planted native vegetation ranging from emergent plants to transitional wetland-upland planting to upland grasses along the slope and strand plain beach areas. Project installation was completed in December 2024. Now, bi-annual monitoring has begun and will extend through 2027.
WithersRavenel worked on the permitting process. This has enabled CAMA Major Permit, 401 Water Quality Certification and a US Army Corps of Engineers General Certification through the “291 Procedure” (Federal Authorization). The federal authorization included preparation of an Essential Fish Habitat Assessment and associated coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service (PRD Section).