North Carolina Beach and Inlet Management Plan: An evaluation of a dedicated state beach nourishment fund

摘要

To support the creation of a dedicated state beach nourishment fund, benefits and costs of beach nourishment were assessed in order to determine the anticipated funding need and propose adequate funding sources. A Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis calculated a $600.8 million reduction in property at risk when comparing 1998 setback factors, to represent a period when beach nourishment was not widely implemented, and 2012 setback factors, to represent a period when beach nourishment was widely implemented. A socio-economic study assessed the economic impacts of activities dependent on beach recreation. These activities support $1.7 billion annually in direct expenditures, with economic multiplier effects included these direct expenditures support $3.3 billion in total output/sales within the coastal counties ($4.7 billion statewide) and over 39,000 jobs within the coastal counties (49,000 statewide). These economic impacts are large compared with the costs of maintaining the beaches. Beach nourishment costs for projects from 2009-2015 were used to project future funding needs for maintaining coastal systems. Future statewide nourishment project costs are anticipated to average $50 million annually; considering a federal state/local cost share of 50/50, this justified a dedicated state funding source of $25 million annually for beach nourishment and restoration. North Carolina recognized that to better maintain and enhance valuable beach resources, a management strategy was necessary that would evolve with future changes to the state's beaches. Funding options were identified to create a dedicated state beach nourishment fund of $25 million for future beach initiatives. The three preferred options to generate revenue for the beach nourishment fund include: a single source of new taxes, a combined source of new taxes, or the reallocation of existing state sales tax within the eight coastal counties. Each recommendation provides a viable revenue source for a dedicated state beach nourishment fund.