Corps and Coast Guard work cooperatively to address shoaled inlets
     
WILMINGTON, NC – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, is working closely with the United States Coast Guard as the Coast Guard plans to remove entire buoy systems from four dangerously shoaled inlets along the North Carolina Coast. These inlets are Lockwoods Folly Inlet, New Topsail Inlet, Carolina Beach Inlet, and New River Inlet.

The Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining these and other federal navigation channels in the state. However, limited funding in the FY 2005 appropriation will prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from consistently maintaining the inlets to depths that allow the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter BLACKBERRY to operate safely in their waters. Buoy systems will be removed by the Coast Guard beginning January 24, 2005.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has notified the Fifth Coast Guard District that it expects to receive approximately $888,000 for dredging operations in three of the shallow draft inlets of concern:

*       Lockwoods Folly Inlet is expected to receive $467,000 and will be dredged twice. 
*       New River Inlet is expected to receive $234,000 and will be dredged one time. 
*       New Topsail Inlet is expected to receive $187,000 and will be dredged one time. 

Each dredging event is expected to reopen each inlet for safe navigation.  However, depending on shoaling rates, navigable conditions may only last for about three months.  The Wilmington District has scheduled meetings with local governments and project sponsors to set dredging priorities for these three funded projects. 

Shoaling in the four inlets have decreased the water depths to four feet in some areas. This depth is too shallow for the Coast Guard Cutter BLACKBERRY to operate in or to safely access the buoys that mark the inlets.  The Coast Guard has determined that it will be impossible to ensure that its navigational aids are accurately marking safe water.  Buoys will be returned to the inlets when adequate depths are restored and can be maintained following Army Corps of Engineers maintenance dredging.

The Wilmington District will also continue to monitor the inlets and post all survey information on the District Navigation web page: <http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/nav/>