THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 2, 1994 TAG: 9408020308
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: By Paul South, Staff Writer
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
The Dare County Board of Commissioners took under advisement Monday a proposal by Stumpy Point residents seeking the county's help in controlling waterfront erosion in their 200-year-old community.
Stumpy Point resident Dallas Gray told the commission that the community is ``swiftly becoming a portion of the bottom of Pamlico Sound,'' the result of continuing daily encroachment of Pamlico Sound
Gray said the seriousness of the problem became clear following the March 1993 ``Storm of the Century.''
``Our erosion problem has placed our community in serious and impending danger from such weather-related conditions as developed in March of last year, as well as those less dramatic conditions that occur almost daily because of normal wind conditions from the southwest and northwest.''
Gray said the winds often trigger severe flooding, resulting in ``devastating property damage.''
Included in the town's proposal is a request for immediate work in the southeastern part of the community near N.C. 1100, where flooding and erosion threaten to damage the road.
The plan also calls for the cleaning of drainage ditches and canals, to aid in flood control. These areas, Gray said, have been ``long neglected.''
Gray said the town also wants help in stabilizing its 2.5-mile shoreline.
The residents are asking the commission for help in finding money, in selecting a contractor and in evaluating bids and estimates.
The community also wants the commission's help in correlating the work with any North Carolina Department of Transportation projects planned in the area, and to make sure the Stumpy Point projects meet state and federal guidelines.
The village has obtained a number of state and federal permits. Those permits were turned over to the commission.
``You've put this directly in our laps,'' Commission Chairman R.V. Owens Jr. said. ``We did go down there (Stumpy Point). I know the board feels that since Stumpy Point is one of the oldest villages in the county, we have a duty that something should be done. All we can do at this point is take it under advisement.'
In other action, the commission approved a resolution authorizing a special referendum for Duck residents on a proposed property tax to fund the construction and maintenance of sidewalks. The North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation authorizing the referendum last year. by CNB