Commissioners pass resolution for easements

At this past meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners held on February 7, the board passed a "resolution authorizing the institution of condemnation proceedings for the acquistion of perpetual beach nourishment easements...". There are 554 property owners in the first phase of the project, and of those, all but 31 have voluntarily already signed the easement. This resolution is the first step in legally acquiring the remaining easements so that the project can proceed -- once someone finds the money! The project calls for a dune to be constructed on the easement, which is the portion of land seaward of a newly devised "green line" on a map constructed by surveyors for this project. The new dune is to be 13 feet high, 50 feet wide toe to toe, and also the project provides for 200 feet of "beach" to be constructed seaward of the dune to help absorb wave action. The easement provides the right for the construction of the dune and also the future rights of the public to enjoy that beach. The first phase of the project provides for the dune construction and renourishment in an area from Isabella St in S. Nags Head north to Hawks Nest in Nags Head, and also from Sanderlin St. (approx. MP8) in Kill Devil Hills north to about MP 4 in Kitty Hawk. Information provided also states the project's actual start has been delayed until January 2006.