. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. waters on the East Coast — is unpredictable for navigational conditions because of the movement of sand in and around it. Since 1962, the Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging the inlet, trying to keep it passable. More than 30 years ago, a proposal was made to anchor the shifting inlet with two massive stone jetties built by the government. The jetties would extend into the ocean nearly two-thirds of a mile. Authorized by Congress in 1970 but never fully funded, supporters say the twin break
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. waters on the East Coast — is unpredictable for navigational conditions because of the movement of sand in and around it. Since 1962, the Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging the inlet, trying to keep it passable. More than 30 years ago, a proposal was made to anchor the shifting inlet with two massive stone jetties built by the government. The jetties would extend into the ocean nearly two-thirds of a mile. Authorized by Congress in 1970 but never fully funded, supporters say the twin breakwaters would stabilize the inlet and allow for a deeper channel, which would make passsage safer for large commercial fishing boats passing between the inlet and Wanchese. "We are fighting hard for Oregon Inlet," says Moon Tillett, chairman of the Dare County Oregon Inlet & Waterways Commission and a retired commercial fisher. "It is one of the greatest battles of the century. We could have had the jetties built for $11 million in 1970. Now it will cost more than $97 million to ; The commission's latest battle is getting a land transfer from the Dept. of Interior to the state of North Carolina for 106 acres to connect the jetties to the land. "If the jetties and land aren't connected, the jetties will wash around on the other side," says Tillett. The jetties are opposed by numerous groups — from geologists and biologists to private citizens and environmentalists. "Oregon Inlet is an extremely high- energy coastal system," says East Carolina University geologist Stan Riggs. "You. TOP: Davis Boatworks makes Carolina-style boats that shoulder rough seas BOTTOM: A new Davis boat is ready for a sea trial. shouldn't tame an inlet when you can't predict the consequences. The inlet is poorly understood, but the dynamics are crucial to beaches and estuaries. Whenever other inlets have been jettied, it has made a mess. It is
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
