Carolina
Beach, Fort Fisher and Vicinity Field Trip
Introduction: The Fort Fisher area is located in the southern part of New Hanover County and is comprised of a complex of barrier islands, barrier spits, migratory inlets and mainland beaches. The complex and rapidly changing shoreline is overlain by extensive development that now exhibits management problems typical of long-standing developments.
Our field trip is composed of several stops that illustrate the management challenges created by development in highly changeable environments and areas sensitive to impacts resulting from high use of the resources.
At each stop we will observe the existing conditions, review the site history, and discuss management decisions and/or practices that have been or could be imposed on the site. Questions posed for each stop should serve as a guide in understanding the management of each area.
Answer each of the following questions concerning the stops at Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher.
Stop 1 The Riggings
Condominiums and NC Beach Access The Riggings represent one
of the most poorly sited condo projects in NC history. The owners of the units are and will
continue to suffer from the lack of scientific input into their placement. Numerous beach access points are available
in the Carolina Beach/Fort Fisher area thanks to the federally subsidized
shoreline renourishment project.
FIELD
NOTES:
· Describe the physical setting of the condominiums.
· When were sand bags emplaced? What is the condition of the bags?
· What management practices could be implemented at this site to reduce the erosion problem?
· What is the importance of having public beach access in this area?
Stop 2 The seawall at
Fort Fisher. This seawall at Fort Fisher and
the short stretch of armored shoreline at Carolina Beach (stop 4) are the only
sections of NC with seawalls. The
seawall construction at Fort Fisher required special legislation and is
designed to "save" the actual--what is left of it--Fort Fisher. Historically, the shoreline in the vicinity
of Fort Fisher eroded very rapidly following the closure of New Inlet by the US
Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1800s.
FIELD
NOTES:
· Describe the composition/construction materials of the seawall?
· What changes in the shoreline are likely to take place in this area as a result of the installation of the seawall?
Stop 3 Carolina-Kure Beach renourishment project and
seawall. Carolina Beach has had a long
history of shoreline protection projects.
The seawall along the shore in this area has been built in two phases;
renourishment has been required several times.
Overall, the area is low and very prone to overwash. The streets have been plowed free of sand
over and over again.
FIELD
NOTES:
Stop 4 North End of
Carolina Beach. Lots of
stuff going on here. Development has ranged from sporadic to rampant
during the past 40 years. Erosion has been severe on this portion of the
coast and beach renourishment and construction of a rubble seawall has taken place.
The Carolina Beach pier was expanded landward several times in order to keep up
with the erosion of the island. With the completion of the recent
renourishment, things are looking good! Off-road vehicles are allowed in
the beach at the northern end of the spit and they have had a significant
detrimental impact on the vegetation of this area.
FIELD NOTES:
·
How
successful is beach renourishment likely to be here over the long term?
·
What rules
and regulations would you impose on off-road vehicle owners to minimize their
impact on Carolina Beach?
Stop 5 Off-road
vehicle use at Carolina Beach Carolina Beach is one of the
few sections of shoreline open to ORV use in North Carolina. As a result, the area serves as a model for
the good and the bad effects of ORV use.
FIELD
NOTES:
· Describe some of the impacts of off-road vehicles on the coastal environments?
· What rules and regulations would you propose to better manage off-road vehicle use?