The US-Army Corps Of Engineers is holding a meeting tonight (January 15, 2014) at Duke Marine Lab on Pivers Island for the purpose of considering the future site for disposal of spoils from the dredging of Beaufort Inlet.  The meeting will be from 6-8pm and, although open to the public, there is no assurance that the public will be afforded an opportunity to speak either in favor or in opposition to any of the proposals under consideration.

Here is a brief edited summary of some background material supplied by Taylor Griffin, the candidate who is opposing Representative Walter Jones in the fall election for 3rd Congressional District:

The Carteret county room tax (6%) is used two ways: 1) To promote tourism (50%), and 2) to manage beach renourishment projects.  The Corp Of Engineers (COE) is considering using Shackleford Banks rather than Atlantic Beach as the repository for the dredging spoils from the next round of dredging in Beaufort Inlet.  Opponents of this plan feel that this will diminish the commercial utility of the spoils if they are not used to renourish the Atlantic Beach strand.  The spoils will also reduce the visual appeal of Shackleford Banks.

The current understanding is that the default position of the Federal Government is that the spoils WILL be deposited to Shackleford Banks.  It is therefore not an issue of debate, but rather one in which opponents need to stop the current process before it reaches final approval. The environmental impact statement has already been submitted along with all the other legal gymnastics so its a done deal absent a successful intervention.

Some additional resources that interested parties may find useful:

The primary website of the coalition of local governments opposed to the Shackleford Banks plan is KeepShackWild.com.
The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/KeepShackWild.
 An Article that appeared in the Carteret News-TImes is HERE, and it includes a map of the area.
 The newsletter for the Carteret County Shore Protection Office is HERE, and it includes an informative map as well.
 Lastly, the e-mail address for the COE designee for public comment on this issue is Hugh.Heine@usace.army.mil [NOTE:  This is not a link.]