McIntyre Announces Additional Funding for Coastal Projects

Washington, D.C. –U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre today announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing $59.3 million in additional appropriations funding for Southeastern North Carolina coastal projects.  Last week, McIntyre spoke with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, to request that the Wilmington District receive vital funding to address the pressing needs of the Cape Fear Region.

McIntyre said, "These funds will make high impact investments to the Cape Fear region and allow our waterways to continue to drive economic growth in Southeastern North Carolina. Our coastal communities deserve to have their inlets and waterways maintained, and I will continue to fight for needed investments to our coastal infrastructure."

“In my many conversations with Assistant Secretary Darcy and other officials at the Army Corps, I stressed the necessity of additional funds to the region. I am pleased that Assistant Secretary Darcy and the Army Corps of Engineers have agreed to allocate this additional funding to meet the needs of our region," said McIntyre. "

With the release of funds, the Wilmington Harbor will receive $22,000,000 to finish harbor deepening to 44 feet and complete the 1996 deepening plan and $7,980,000 to dredge the inner ocean bar and deposit sand on the beaches as part of the Sand Management Plan. Bald Head Island is the next community in line to receive sand under the plan.

Additionally, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will receive $4,485,000, the Carolina Beach Inlet will receive $500,000, the Lockwoods Folly River will receive $500,000, the Masonboro Inlet and Connecting Channels will receive $6,500,00, the New Topsail Inlet and Connecting Channels will receive $500,000, and the Cape Fear River above Wilmington will receive $789,000.

Congressman McIntyre has long been a supporter of investments to coastal infrastructure and Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects and has worked throughout his time in Congress to provide assistance to the beaches and waterways of Southeastern North Carolina.