In a significant advancement for emergency transportation access, the Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed on Monday to initiate the process of acquiring year-round dredging permits for the Rodanthe-Stumpy Point Emergency Ferry Channel. This decision marks a pivotal change in the county’s approach to maintaining access to Hatteras Island during storm events.
The approved plan empowers the county to engage in dredging activities independently, utilizing equipment such as the Miss Katie alongside bucket-and-barge or pipeline dredges. This is a crucial step away from previous reliance on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose bureaucratic procedures and limited resources have often caused delays when swift action is needed.
County Manager Bobby Outten highlighted the ongoing challenges with the Corps, pointing out their predicament in funding requests for dredging that often come too late. The new arrangement ensures that the county can respond rapidly post-storm, allowing the ferry service to resume operations within a day or two instead of waiting for emergency permits—a situation that has been problematic in the past.
The Rodanthe-Stumpy Point Emergency Ferry Channel serves as an essential route to Hatteras Island, especially when N.C. Highway 12 becomes impassable due to severe weather. Over previous years, significant shoaling in the channel has frequently necessitated emergency dredging to restore ferry services. Just last year, Dare County had to seek emergency permits to address shoaling that had rendered the channel unusable, highlighting the need for more consistent maintenance.
Grants and Waterways Administrator Barton Grover pointed out that the Corps’ existing resources are limited in flexibility and often don’t align with the timing of needed dredging operations, particularly during hurricane season. The county’s new plan involves contracting with Coastal Protection Engineering of North Carolina (CPE) to acquire comprehensive dredging permits that will allow for ongoing maintenance of the channel at a depth of 10 feet, catering to various operational conditions.
Commissioner Rob Ross referred to the plan as “absolute common sense,” emphasizing the urgency of getting the Miss Katie licensed with the new permits. The estimated total cost for acquiring these permits is $123,164, with 75% expected to be funded by the state.
Transitioning this responsibility to the county not only enhances responsiveness but also offers financial benefits. Grover indicated that past projects using private contractors were significantly more expensive than those that could be managed locally with the Miss Katie, projecting substantial cost savings in the future.
The Dare County Waterways Commission expressed unanimous approval of the initiative in July, and the Board’s recent vote continued that momentum. Commissioner Carson Creef succinctly labeled the decision as a “no-brainer.”
Moving forward, the Board has authorized the county manager to finalize the contract with CPE and to pursue the necessary budget amendment and state funding request. The permitting process is expected to commence immediately, with submissions to relevant state and federal agencies planned within the next 120 days. This proactive measure will enable Dare County to maintain vital transportation links to Hatteras Island, illustrating a commitment to community resilience and swift emergency responses.