North Carolina is updating its statewide Beach and Inlet Management Plan, a process that could influence future shoreline protection, dredging, and beach nourishment priorities in Brunswick County. On October 9, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through its Division of Coastal Management, issued a Request for Proposals seeking a qualified contractor to update the state’s 2016 plan.
The plan covers approximately 320 miles of oceanfront beaches and 19 active tidal inlets along the North Carolina coast. For Brunswick County communities, including Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach, the update could influence future decisions involving beach nourishment, dredging, erosion protection, and state funding priorities.
What the State Is Planning
The selected contractor will examine coastal erosion, storm vulnerability, beach nourishment needs, and the availability of suitable sand sources. The work will also include evaluating inlet management alternatives, identifying opportunities to improve the movement of sand along the coast, and developing short-, medium-, and long-term management strategies.
One significant responsibility will be recommending priorities for state funding of beach nourishment projects, considering erosion rates, potential damage to property and the economy, recreational benefits, and environmental impacts. Although the plan itself will not authorize construction or approve individual projects, its recommendations could influence future government spending and shoreline management decisions.
Why This Matters to Brunswick County
Brunswick County’s coastal communities face continuing challenges involving shoreline erosion, storm damage, navigation channels, and the cost of maintaining protective beaches. Beach nourishment and inlet management projects can involve substantial public expenditures, and decisions about which projects receive priority can affect property protection, public beach access, recreation, and local economies.
The updated plan is intended to provide state agencies and local governments with information to help guide those decisions.
Public Participation
The state’s request for proposals specifically calls for public involvement during development of the updated plan. The contractor, working with the Division of Coastal Management, will be responsible for scheduling public hearings and public input meetings. The final planning materials must also include a summary of the stakeholder process, including citizen comments.
However, the request does not establish when or where those meetings will occur, how many will be held, or whether individual Brunswick County communities will have opportunities to participate locally. An important consideration will be whether residents can provide input while recommendations are being developed, rather than only after a draft plan has been prepared.
What Happens Next
Contractor proposals are due November 2, 2026, with the state anticipating a contract award in November. The request establishes a project schedule extending through December 2027, including interim reports, public engagement, and a final management plan.
The planning process is therefore in its early stages, and no new project-specific recommendations have been announced through this request for proposals.
OIBI Will Follow the Process
Oak Island–Brunswick Independent will follow the development of the updated Beach and Inlet Management Plan, with particular attention to Brunswick County’s coastal communities. Future reporting will examine the consultant selection, opportunities for public participation, proposed management strategies, and recommendations affecting local beaches and inlets.
As additional information becomes available, this article will be updated to reflect documented developments and opportunities for residents to participate.
Source: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Coastal Management, Request for Proposals No. 16-101362-000, issued October 9, 2026.