Chief’s Report Marks a Turning Point
On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed the long-anticipated Chief’s Report for the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management project. The plan outlines a new dune system and beach nourishment for roughly six miles of shoreline, aimed at improving resilience against storms and sea level rise. View the Town’s Beach Nourishment page.
Plan Highlights & Engineering Details
- Construction of a dune approximately 25 feet wide and 14 feet high, paired with a 50-foot berm at 6-foot elevation.
- A transition berm extending 1,000 feet into North Topsail Beach limits.
- Updated engineering reduced initial sand needs by about one-third—8 million cubic yards—while the total 50-year plan now estimates 21.8 million cubic yards.
What Comes Next?
With the Chief’s Report finalized, the project now moves into funding, agreement execution, real estate certification, final design, and bidding. Town officials anticipate securing permits and bids by winter 2025.
A late-2024 public meeting estimated 7.9 million cubic yards of sand for the initial placement—figures now refined after updated modeling in 2025.
“This project is vital for protecting coastal infrastructure, preserving natural habitats, and ensuring the safety of residents and visitors in Surf City.”
—Col. Morgan, USACE Wilmington District
“I’m not pro-sand… it’s going to be an astronomical cost to taxpayers.”
—Perry Green, Surf City homeowner
Why This Update Matters Right Now
The Chief’s Report locks the project into federal planning and funding pipelines. Surf City maintains a dedicated beach fund sourced from ad valorem tax, accommodations tax, and parking revenues. Even so, some residents remain concerned about the project’s long-term cost and sustainability—especially after North Topsail Beach officially withdrew from the partnership.
